Active People, Healthy Nation is a national initiative led by CDC to help 27 million Americans become more physically active by 2027. Increased physical activity can improve health, quality of life, and reduce healthcare costs. Regular physical activity can help reduce the risk of at least 20 chronic diseases and conditions and provide effective treatment for many of these conditions. Other potential benefits include better school performance and improved military readiness. Building active and walkable communities can help support local economies, result in less air pollution, and create more cohesive communities.

What is the Goal?

Active People, Healthy Nation seeks to move approximately:

  • 15 million adults from inactive (no aerobic activity) to some moderate-intensity activity every day, like brisk walking.
  • 10 million adults from some physical activity to meeting the minimum aerobic physical activity guideline.
  • 2 million young people from some physical activity to meeting the minimum aerobic physical activity guideline.

The Role of Employers

Employers can help improve the health of their employees and create healthier communities by promoting physical activity in the workplace and surrounding community. Using worksite wellness programs that promote physical activity can help you create a healthier workforce, which can mean lower healthcare costs for both you and your employees. Worksite wellness programs can also:

  • Increase employee productivity.
  • Reduce absenteeism.
  • Increase employee morale.
  • Help you attract and keep high-quality employees.

You can encourage physical activity through multiple approaches, such as offering management support, access to facilities, and social support programs. Regardless of the size, resources, setting, or type of your workplace, there are many ways to help your employees be more physically active.

The Role of Healthcare Professionals

As a person working in healthcare, you can help your patients, employees, and community access the immediate and long-term benefits of physical activity. You can use the following strategies to encourage physical activity with your patients and in your community:

  • Educate people about the benefits of physical activity and implement or refer your patients to resources that can help them increase their activity levels:
  • Establish physical activity as a key health indicator tracked by health systems and electronic health records.
  • Offer physical activity counseling to patients who need it (e.g., those at risk for cardiovascular disease).
  • Develop community-clinical links that help healthcare professionals refer patients to community resources and programs that provide safe opportunities for physical activity. Examples of programs include:
    • National Diabetes Prevention Program.
    • Walk with Ease and other lifestyle management programs for arthritis.

What The Wellness Coalition is Doing

The Wellness Coalition has woven safe physical activity coaching and education into many of its programs, including:

Call (334) 293-6502 to learn more about these programs and how The Wellness Coalition can help your business or practice improve health-related outcomes. You can also learn more about our wellness classes by clicking this link.