FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
YMCA OF THE USA 'ACTIVATES' LOCAL LEADERS AND NATIONAL EXPERTS AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COMMUNITY-BASED SOLUTIONS TO COMBAT OBESITY AND CHRONIC DISEASES
WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER 8, 2004 - Driven by a mandate to mobilize meaningful changes to reverse the nation's declining health, more than 140 delegates -- composed of civic leaders in government, business, health, and other sectors from 14 communities and regions across the country -- today assembled here at the YMCA Activate America: Pioneering Healthier Communities National Conference (September 8-10, 2004). Enriched by the knowledge of proven behavior modification strategies, conference attendees will return to their hometowns with a uniform commitment to develop and implement community-based solutions that will help to reverse locally what has become epidemic -- the nation's physical inactivity and rise in obesity. Representatives from each of these community teams will reconvene in the coming year to share results and replicate solutions that can be spread to other communities nationwide.
The conference will also feature more than 30 experts from government, philanthropic and academic circles. For example, senior officials from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health will advise delegates along with high-level representatives from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health.
"The YMCA Activate America: Pioneering Healthier Communities National Conference is about moving our country beyond discourse and rhetoric, and realizing solutions that will enact lasting change," said Kenneth L. Gladish, Ph.D., national executive director, YMCA of the USA. "Profound transformations can happen when communities create a shared vision for change to address local needs, and build diverse citizen participation and community ownership. The conference is designed to forge the type of understanding and bonding that is necessary for community change to occur."
"All Americans can take simple steps to improve their health," U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said. "Find an activity that you enjoy - running, golfing, or even gardening - and do it. We need to get more people more active, and start focusing on prevention instead of treatment. By living healthier, we can be healthier. I congratulate the YMCA "Activate America" initiative in getting people started in the right direction. Working together we can help give Americans many happier, healthier tomorrows."
"The enormity and complexity of the obesity and chronic disease problems in our country requires deliberate action to turn the tide. Initiatives like YMCA "Activate America" are critical to overcoming the severe tolls that poor health places on our society. But Congress has a role too. I am hopeful that the Senate will soon take swift legislative action to promote public health by considering my bill S, 2558, the HeLP America Act," said Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) Chair, Pioneering Healthier Communities Conference/Ranking Member, Senate Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations Subcommittee.
Pioneering Architects of and Early Blueprints for Community Change
The participating delegations feature a prestigious line-up of local leaders. Elected officials including mayors, state senators, and city council persons will be joining state and local directors of public health. Also sitting at the table will be business leaders from national insurance agencies, financial institutions, and grocery store chains. Schools and hospitals will also be part of the community-wide collaboration.
These delegations represent the geographic and demographic diversity of the U.S.: Dallas, Texas; Des Moines, Iowa; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Boulder, Colorado; Tampa, Florida; Jackson, Mississippi; St. Louis, Missouri; Bellevue, Washington; State of West Virginia; Boise, Idaho; State of Delaware; Palo Alto, California; Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Rochester, New York.
Over the course of the next year these local teams will begin to plan evidence-based strategies. Although these strategies will vary depending on local needs and realities and may include school nutrition, engaging older adults in physical activity and community design and public policy, their goals are designed to:
- promote healthier community living,
- provide a template for a coalition-building process for other communities,
- find cost-effective ways to engage other communities using the lessons learned, and
- develop practical solutions and tools that other communities can replicate and implement to influence healthy living and informed decision-making.
Notable Speakers and Guests
The YMCA Activate America: Pioneering Healthier Communities National Conference will feature recognized experts in varying fields, as well as community change agents, who have firsthand experience in driving transformations that promote healthier community living. Conference speakers and special guests, who will share fresh insights, model programs and proven successes that will be useful in helping participants map out their blueprint for change, include:
- Secretary Tommy Thompson, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Senator Tom Harkin(D-IA) Co-Chair, Pioneering Healthier Communities Conference / Ranking Minority Member, Senator Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations Subcommittee
- Tyler Norris, President and CEO, Community Initiatives LLC, Chair, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Active Living by Design Project, former Founding Executive Director of U.S. Healthier Cities and Communities
- Governor Parris N. Glendening, President of the Smart Growth Leadership Institute; Former Governor, State of Maryland
- Melissa JohnsonExecutive Director, President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
- Robin E. Mockenhaupt, Director for the Health Group, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
- Eileen Naughton, President of TIME Magazine
- Jim Marks, MD, MPH, Acting Director, Coordinating Center for Health Information and Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Jean Wiecha, PhD, Deputy Director, Harvard School of Public Health
YMCA Activate America: Pioneering Healthier Communities is developed with expert advice and assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Their input is helping to build an infrastructure for replicating model programs and approaches in developing healthy communities nationwide. In addition, the Association of State and Territorial Chronic Disease Program Directors (CDD) and the American Public Health Association are also working with Y-USA in this effort. Health and wellness has been an integral part of YMCAs charitable mission for more than 150 years. YMCA "Activate America" builds upon the YMCA's track record of pioneering programs that respond to timely societal needs. For more information, please visit www.ymca.net.
YMCA Leadership -- Long-Standing Commitment to Spirit, Mind, Body
Serving more than 10,000 communities and neighborhoods, no institution is better positioned to act as a unifying force in this effort than YMCA of the USA, the national resource office for 2,575 YMCAs. Offering a broad range of programs including youth leadership and volunteerism, YMCAs are collectively the nation's largest providers of child care, afterschool, and youth sports programs and are working to incorporate physical activity into all aspects of youth, family and community programming. Visit www.ymca.net for more information.
About JCPenney Afterschool
JCPenney Afterschool is committed to helping provide children with high-quality, affordable afterschool programs to help them reach their full potential. The JCPenney Afterschool Fund is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization contributing financial support to five of America's leading Afterschool child care providers and advocates - YMCA of the USA, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Afterschool Alliance, 4-H and Junior Achievement. JCPenney Afterschool's support helps provide safe, fun and educational afterschool programs and raise awareness of the need for more such programs across the country.
About Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Kimberly-Clark and its well-known brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 250 countries. Everyday, 1.3 billion people - nearly a quarter of the world's population - trust their brands to enhance their health, hygiene and well-being - brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend.
About Aquafina
Aquafina is 100% pure, non-carbonated, purified drinking water. The consistent purity and great taste of Aquafina are guaranteed by means of a state-of-the-art purification process that includes reverse osmosis and carbon filtration. Since its debut in 1995, Aquafina has won over consumers with its great taste and purity. Aquafina is currently America's #1 selling bottled water brand in measured retail channels.
The YMCA Activate America: Pioneering Healthier Communities Conference is part of the multi-year YMCA Activate America initiative. YMCA "Activate America" was developed utilizing the expert advice of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. YMCA "Activate America" is generously sponsored by Kimberly-Clark Corporation, a global company dedicated to health, hygiene and well-being of people everyday, everywhere; JCPenney Afterschool, the philanthropic arm of JCPenney Corporation, which is working to help youth and their families enjoy healthy lifestyles through fun and engaging afterschool programs; and Aquafina, currently America's #1 selling bottled water brand.
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