Active People, Healthy NationSM Initiative
Help 27 million Americans become more physically active.
If you think you can’t make a difference in the health outcomes of people in your community, it’s time to upgrade your outlook, because fitness professionals are on the front lines when it comes to promoting American public health.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is leading an initiative to help 27 million Americans become more physically active by 2027. This initiative responds to the reality that too few Americans achieve the recommended amounts of physical activity. For example, just 1 in 4 adults meets both cardiovascular and muscle-strengthening guidelines, only half of adults get enough physical activity to help reduce or prevent chronic diseases, and about 31 million adults ages 50 and older get no physical activity beyond daily living.
Individuals and organizations can join the CDC’s Active People, Healthy Nation initiative to improve community health and wellness. People interested in worksite wellness can also access useful resources. To learn more, go to cdc.gov/physicalactivity/activepeoplehealthynation/index.html. To review current Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, go to health.gov/paguidelines/second-edition/pdf/Physical_Activity_Guidelines_2nd_edition.pdf.
Shirley Eichenberger-Archer, JD, MA
Shirley Eichenberger-Archer, JD, MA, is an internationally acknowledged integrative health and mindfulness specialist, best-selling author of 16 fitness and wellness books translated into multiple languages and sold worldwide, award-winning health journalist, contributing editor to Fitness Journal, media spokesperson, and IDEA's 2008 Fitness Instructor of the Year. She's a 25-year industry veteran and former health and fitness educator at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, who has served on multiple industry committees and co-authored trade books and manuals for ACE, ACSM and YMCA of the USA. She has appeared on TV worldwide and was a featured trainer on America's Next Top Model.
