To join APHA and the Physical Activity SPIG , please visit the Membership section of the APHA website at the following link where you can learn all about member benefits and download a membership application.
Don't forget to designate the Physical Activity SPIG (PA) as your SPIG of choice. Please note, because the SPIG is new, at this time the membership application is not updated to reflect Physical Activity as a choice. Please write it in and submit your applicaiton to APHA Membership for processing.
Webinar Opportunities:
Human Kinetics is pleased to bring you convenient, free online learning opportunities through our webinars, addressing a variety of topics and resources relating to sports, coaching, health, fitness, nutrition, training, physical education, recreation, and more. From the comfort of your home or office, you have access to these live Web-based presentations conducted by leading minds in their respective areas of expertise.
Please visit Human Kinetics' website for more info: www.HumanKinetics.com/webinars.
U.N. Wages All-Out Attack on Noncommunicable Diseases; ACSM Makes Strong Case for Physical Activity to Global Audience
In response to the global health epidemic of noncommunicable disease, last week the United Nations called together a U.N. High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs). In the first such summit since 2001 (when the focus was on HIV/AIDS), the U.N. called upon the world’s leading experts to lay out a plan that will reduce the incidence of noncommunicable disease worldwide.
ACSM played a visible and influential role at the U.N. High-Level Meeting on NCDs, which took place Sept. 19 and 20 in New York City. ACSM President-Elect Janet Walberg Rankin, Ph.D., FACSM, and CEO Jim Whitehead were two of just 100 nongovernmental representatives from around the world in attendance at the meeting.
On Tuesday, Sept. 19, delegates voted unanimously to approve and adopt a declaration calling for a multi-sectoral campaign to reduce NCDs, in four major categories, by 2013. Numerous heads of state and other national leaders made public comments in support of the declaration and committed to do more to address risk factors for noncommunicable disease, including physical inactivity.
ACSM Preconference Prior to U.N. High-Level Meeting Makes Compelling Case for Physical Activity and Global Health
It was a packed house on Sunday, Sept. 18, as ACSM brought together key stakeholders at our historic U.N. Side Event on Physical Activity and NCDs in New York City. U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, M.D., M.B.A. – along with champion athletes and ministers of health from several Latin American nations – convened with the shared goals of globally elevating physical inactivity as a critical health concern and focusing multi-sectoral efforts on increasing physical activity to aid in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease.
Participants shared their “best buys,” examples of programs proven to successfully increase physical activity in their nations. Exercise is Medicine®, the global health initiative, was lauded as successful and strategic in its efforts to make physical activity prescription a part of every person’s health care plan. Among the speakers were leading experts in medicine, public health and industry. The event was a smashing success and successfully laid out plans to make physical activity a part of every country’s health care reform. ACSM will work with many partners over the coming months to implement a plan to support the U.N. Declaration.
View a recap video from the Side Event on Physical Activity and NCDs.