Issue 35 - FEBRUARY 2018 | NCPPA.org
February 23, 2018

W elcome to Issue 35 of the Activity Advocate, NCPPA's comprehensive e-newsletter on physical activity. The Activity Advocate includes policy, news, conference and event, organization and research updates all focused on physical activity.
Activity in the News
What Every American Needs to Know About Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Read

Fat, Unhealthy Americans Threaten Trump's Defense Surge Read 
 
What Happens to Your Body When You Start Exercising Regularly Read

The Army Plans On Overhauling Basic Training To Focus On More 'Disciplined, Physically Fit' Soldiers Read 

Get Up and Move. It May Make You Happier. Read

Not All Fun And Games: New Guidelines Urge Schools To Rethink Recess Read

How Exercise May Help Protect Your Brain From Cognitive Decline and Dementia Read

50 Cities Getting the Most Exercise Read

How Does Exercise Preserve the Aging Brain? Read
Why Physical Fitness Matters Read
 
How Much Physical Activity Is Appropriate for Children With Disabilities? Read

Low Recruit Discipline Prompts Army to Redesign Basic Training Read

A Before-School Exercise Program May Help Children Thrive Read

Goodbye, Tape Test? Sweeping DoD Fitness Review Underway Read

An Olympic Gold Medalist On What Most People Get Wrong About Fitness Read    

The Healthy Energetic Principal Read

How to Fit in Exercise While You Travel Read
 
The Power of Exercise: It Can Protect Against a Heart Attack, Stroke and Cancer - Even If You're Obese Read

U.S. Navy Loosens Physical Fitness Requirements Read
Upcoming Events
* NIRSA Annual Conference
March 4-7, 2018
Denver, CO

* National Bike Summit
March 5-7, 2018
Washington, DC
More Info

* SFIA's National Health Through Fitness Day
March 6-7, 2018
Washington, DC
 
* National Athletic Trainers' Association's Capitol Hill Day
March 7, 2018
Washington, DC

* 2018 ASPPH Annual Meeting
March 7-9 2018
Arlington, VA

* SHAPE America National Convention & Expo
March 20-24, 2018
Nashville, TN

* IHRSA 2018 Convention
March 21-24, 2018
San Diego, CA
  
* National Public Health Week 
April 2-8, 2018

* SOPHE's Annual Conference
April 4-6, 2018
Columbus, OH

* Locus Leadership Summit
April 22-24, 2018
Washington, DC
More Info

* Partnership for a Healthier America Summit
May 2-4, 2018
Washington, DC

* Preventive Medicine 2018
May 23-26, 2018
Chicago, IL

* ACSM 65th Annual Meeting
May 29- June 2, 2018
Minneapolis, MN
 
* 2018 Healthy Aging Summit  
July 16-17, 2018
Washington, DC
Policy
Chronic Disease Sign On Letter The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) is circulating the attached letter, which asks Congress to maintain FY 2017 funding levels for CDC chronic disease programs in FY 2019 appropriations.  If your organization is interested in signing on please email john@chronicdisease.org
2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
The 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee held its final public meeting in Fall 2017. The Committee is now compiling its scientific review of the evidence into the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific Report. The report will be submitted to HHS and  available for public comment Spring 2018.  Learn More
"Omnibus" Sign On Letter SFIA is circulating the attached 
the attached letter, which will be delivered to Senate Leadership and SFC Chair & Ranking Member in the coming weeks requesting inclusion of HSA reforms in the upcoming Omnibus.  If your organization signed the previous HSA letter, you will be included on this new letter unless you opt out.  If you were not on the original HSA letter, and wish to sign on to this omnibus letter, please email bsells@sfia.org.
EEOC Wellness Regulations Vacated Effective Jan. 1, 2019  
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has vacated the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC's) wellness rule effective Jan. 1, 2019, instructing the agency that its goal of revising the rule by 2021 is too slow.
 
While it remains unclear whether the EEOC will issue its new rule before Jan. 1, 2019, employers should continue to monitor this issue so that they can ensure their future wellness plans comply with federal law. Learn More
Research and Reports
Physically Fit Army Recruits Are Hard to Find (Study - Citadel) The Army's problem of finding physically fit recruits at a time of rising obesity in the United States is especially acute in the South - where it traditionally draws a high percentage of soldiers.  Learn More Read the Report.
The Looming National Security Crisis: Young Americans Unable to Serve in the Military (Report- Heritage Foundation) Read the Report
WHO Global Action Plan for Physical Activity The World Health Organization (WHO) recently presented Draft 2 of the Global Action Plan for Physical Activity to the WHO Executive Board (EB).  EB endorsed the plan and requested the WHO to finalize a monitoring and evaluation framework on the implementation of the plan, update 2010 guidelines on physical activity and prepare the first global status report on physical activity by 2020. Learn More
New Healthy Communities Policy Guide Released
The American Planning Association (APA) Healthy Communities Policy Guide identifies policy ideas for local, state, and federally elected officials aimed at improving community health and quality of living through planning.  
Share this action-oriented guide with policymakers representing your community. Planning for health requires government at all levels to address determinants of chronic disease early by integrating health considerations in planning. Learn More
Announcements
February Is American Heart Month Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. The good news? It is also one of the most preventable. There are many things people can do to reduce their risk, such as being more active. Learn More

Take the #MoveWithHeart Pledge to be more physically active to benefit your heart health between now and March 2, 2018 in honor of American Heart Month. Learn More
February Is National Cancer Prevention Month The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) is launching a multimedia awareness campaign, "Cancer Prevention: Together We Can", throughout the month of February to show Americans how they and their families can lower cancer risk. By signing on and agreeing to share this vital message your can help it reach millions more Americans than it has before. Learn More
National Public Health Week April 2-8, 2018 Join the American Public Health Association in celebrating National Public Health Week (NPHW) 2018. NPHW is a time to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving our nation. Each day of  the week will focus on one public health topic. Learn more
National Park Week April 21-29, 2018 Join the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation to celebrate National Park Week. National Park Week is a time to explore amazing places, discover stories of history and culture, help out, and #FindYourPark.  Learn More
The CEO Pledge for Physical Activity
The CEO Pledge for Physical Activity is NCPPA's national campaign to encourage  every CEO In the United States and beyond to recognize physical activity as an important driver of employee health and business performance.  Learn More
WHO WE ARE
The National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity is a diverse blend of associations, health organizations, and private corporations advocating for policies that encourage Americans of all ages to be physically active.
We want this newsletter to be as useful and informative as possible - so please send us your feedback and suggestions regarding current content and future topics we should address. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Ayanna McKnight
Coalition Manager
NCPPA