In May, ACE joined a coalition of experts to announce its involvement with, and support of, the National Physical Activity Plan, a sweeping initiative to improve public health by motivating people to become and stay physically active, and to remove the barriers that may stand in their way.
“We believe in the need for a united front to inspire and empower Americans to lead more physically active lifestyles,” says Scott Goudeseune, ACE president and CEO. “We agree that the National Physical Activity Plan is an initiative that will help us educate and support our communities, and that this is moving us one substantial step forward toward our ultimate goal.”
The Plan, originally called for during a multi-organizational roundtable in 2006, is, in part, an answer to America’s alarming rates of adult and childhood obesity and decreasing levels of physical activity. Research has shown that physical activity can help prevent or reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, coronary heart disease, depression, bone disease, cancer and myriad other diseases. If implemented, measures called for in the National Physical Activity Plan could significantly improve public health, cut health-care costs and reduce health disparities.
Leaders in public health, transportation, education, business and other fields announced the Plan at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., in May. The National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity is now working with ACE and other supporting organizations to coordinate teams focused on each of the sectors to implement the plan at the national, regional and grassroots levels. According to Russell Pate, Ph.D., of the coordinating committee, they will collectively promote public policy, track results and launch a cause-related marketing campaign to engage all audiences.
“In alignment with ACE’s mission, this plan contains the strategies needed to best execute our long-term vision of creating a more-fit America,” continued Goudeseune. “We are honored to be involved with such an initiative and have high expectations for a very positive outcome.”