Make the Move News Release-Quarter I, 2011

Please feel free to download and utilize this press release within your own organizations newsletters, websites and other communication vehicles.

 Make the Move Report Press Release (Word)

Make the Move Report Press Release (PDF)

For Immediate Release 

Contact: Kelly Kennai, 202-835-9043                                                                            

Suzanne Ffolkes, 202-785-7929

Make the Move Report provides communities with strategies for implementing the

U. S. National Physical Activity Plan

Washington, February 10, 2011 – A new report supporting the U.S. National Physical Activity Plan (NPAP) offers strategies for implementing the policies, programs and initiatives outlined in the Plan and includes success stories from communities working to create opportunities for physical activity.  NPAP also launched a new Facebook page www.facebook.com/PhysicalActivityPlan

to encourage individuals and organizations to share strategies to get more Americans moving.

Make the Move provides an overview of changes that will take place within the next year and long-term goals to implement The Plan at the national level.  State and local organizations are using these national implementation priorities to gain support for existing efforts to improve physical activity and to guide future strategic plans that will complement national efforts.  The report sets forth national priorities to improve physical activity in the places that most influence daily physical activity – schools, early childcare, parks and recreation, worksites, health care and neighborhoods. It also outlines priorities for the public health workforce, federal advocacy, and media.

“This is a great opportunity to begin collecting all of the exciting stories about the ways organizations, communities, and passionate advocates are making the National Physical Activity Plan a reality and hearing how people across the U.S. are making physical activity a regular part of their day,” said Laurie Whitsel, NCPPA President.

Just a few of the many Make the Move success stories:

• In Arlington County, VA (a suburb of Washington, DC), the community rallied around and implemented its Safe Routes to School Program. Currently, more than half of the students in the county walk to school and some of the schools even report that as many as 95 percent of students walk every day. 

• The Pennsylvania State Board of Education adopted physical activity and nutritional standards for the commonwealth’s public schools.

• Four nurse managed clinics at Arizona State University turned physical activity into a vital sign.  During patient interactions the staff discussed their patients’ level of physical activity and worked to help them meet the federal guidelines.

The Plan focuses on increasing physical activity in places where Americans live, work learn and play through environmental and policy change.  It unites professionals across sectors – in medicine and public health, transportation and urban planning, business, education and recreation – to help individuals integrate physical activity into their daily lives. Make the Move is intended to help policy makers and community advocates develop solutions for their own communities.

For additional information and to find out how these communities achieved success and the lessons they learned, see the report: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ncppa/make_the_move/index.php#/1/OnePage