Issue 36 - MARCH 2018 | NCPPA.org
March 27, 2018

W elcome to Issue 36 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
To Push Patients to Be Healthier, Some Doctors Write Exercise Prescriptions Read

Short Bursts Of Exercise May Be As Beneficial As Regular Workouts In Extending Life Read

Six Ways to Get Teenagers More Active - Suggested by the Teens Themselves Read

Why We Need to Take Fat-Shaming Out of Fitness Culture Read

Hearts Get 'Younger', Even at Middle Age, With Exercise Read

Why the Army Is Having a Fitness Crisis Read

Exercise During Pregnancy Can Shorten Labor Read

Here's More Evidence that Exercise Keeps You Young Read

Dealing With an Exercise-Related Injury Read

The Army's Next Crisis: Americans Aren't Fit Enough To Fight Read

One Type of Exercise Is the Closest Thing to a Miracle Drug Read

Army's New Physical Fitness Test Will Be Gender-Neutral, Secretary Says Read

What Should Your Normal Resting Heart Rate Really Be? Read

Maryland Schools Need More Physical Education, Lawmaker Says Read

What Every American Needs to Know About Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Read
Upcoming Events
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
 
Innovations in Workplace and Community Wellness
April 10, 2018
Washington, DC
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
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
Policy
Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Scientific Report
The 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee submitted its Scientific Report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services in February 2018. The report available online, summarizes the scientific evidence on physical activity and health, and will be used by the government to develop the second edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.

The public comment period will close on April 02, 2018. We encourage your organizations to view the Scientific Report and provide written comments.
Attached please find a model comment letter .
Omnibus Spending Bill Is a Win for Physical Activity!
Last week Congress passed its Omnibus Spending Bill and the President signed. The bill is a win for physical activity and included the following:
  • CDC Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity (DNPAO) funded at $54.9 Million.
  • Title IV Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), where Physical Education is a priority, funded at $1.1 Billion. Much greater than the $400 Million from 2017.
  • Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) funding restored to the tune of $50.95 Million.
  • $8 Billion increase for Transportation.
PHIT did not make the Omnibus but we are still in a good place. PHIT currently has 125 osponsors in the House and 15 in the Senate. Rep Mike Kelly recently introduced H.R. 5138 the Bipartisan HSA Improvement Act. The bill is designed to enhance HSAs to expand access, increase benefit flexibility, promote wellness and strengthen innovation. It includes PHIT language. Learn More
Announcements
US Chamber of Commerce Workplace Wellness Forum
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Workplace/Community Wellness Forum on April 10, a forum to highlight the intersection of workplace and community wellness. Speakers will discuss leading-edge workplace wellness programs, best practices in examining social determinants of health, and how technology is reshaping the future of medicine. 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
Research/Reports/Studies
OPM Identifies Priorities for Federal Workforce in New Report The Office of Personnel Management has released   its 2018 Federal Workforce Priorities Report in which it identifies six research-based priorities that align with the goals of the Trump administration as well as highlights findings from the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey. Priority 6 is Enhancing Productivity through a Focus on Employee Health: Encourage employees to engage in physical fitness activities during time spent commuting and being at work.  Learn More
Promoting Walking and Walkable Communities 
The National Physical Activity Plan Alliance celebrated the first day of Spring with the release of the Promoting Walking and Walkable Communities - Cross-Sector Recommendations. The recommendations aim to identify and prioritize the most critical activities that will result in the greatest impact on improving walkability and increasing walking throughout the U.S. Read the Report
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.
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