An Active Government

Making News:

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has launched a new program to support health and physical activity for the 6 million American children and youth who have disabilities. Supported by more than 50 national organizations, the initiative is being led by the HHS’ Office on Disability in collaboration with the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS).

Under the “I Can Do It, You Can Do It” banner, partner organizations introduce physically fit mentors to young people with disabilities. Mentors offer advice on how to increase physical activity and choose nutritious foods. Participants are eligible for physical activity awards from the PCPFS.

“We have been too slow to embrace and accommodate the needs of people with disabilities as we promote physical activity for all Americans,” Secretary Tommy Thompson said in an HHS press release. “This initiative will be an important step in helping young Americans with disabilities develop the same lifelong good habit of physical activity that we wish for all Americans.”

For more information on “I Can Do It, You Can Do It,” visit www.hhs.gov/od/physicalfitness.html.

In a bid to help reduce and prevent chronic diseases, the HHS department announced its “Blueprint for Action,” steps that individuals, groups, communities and other organizations can take to improve the overall health of Americans.

The blueprint, released at the HHS’ 2nd national Steps to a HealthierUS Summit, lists the following actions:

• Be physically active. Strive for at least 30 minutes of physical activity for adults and 60 minutes for children each day.

• Play and be active as a family.

• Decrease time spent in sedentary activities such as watching television.

• Eat a healthy diet. Consume five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

• Consume fat and sugar in moderation.

• Educate yourself about health and risk factors for chronic diseases and conditions such as obesity.

• Become a student of healthy habits.

• Learn what constitutes a healthy diet and how to read and use food labels.

• Avoid risky behaviors. Limit alcohol intake.

• If you smoke, quit; if you don’t smoke, don’t start.

• Know your family’s health history.

• Get needed immunizations and vaccinations.

• Get recommended screenings (pap smears and mammograms for women; colonoscopies for both men and women).“Exercise used to go by another name— it was called survival.

— David Katz, MD, MPH, associate clinical professor at the Yale School of Public Health, speaking at the TIME/ABC News Summit on Obesity, June 2–4, 2004 ”

© 2004 by IDEA Health & Fitness Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.