Activate America® Background

Introducing Activate America®

We've all read the headlines. "Fifty-nine million adults are obese." "Half of all deaths in America can be attributed to preventable exposures like physical inactivity and tobacco use." "The current generation is the first one that may not outlive its parents." "Children are being diagnosed with Type II (adult onset) diabetes at an unprecedented rate." But there is good news.

YMCA of the USA, on behalf of the nation's 2,663 YMCAs, is leading an unprecedented initiative called Activate America®, to help improve the health of all Americans.

YMCAs believe the best way to help the nation get healthier is to bring together all sectors of communities -- government, businesses, not-for-profits, schools and media -- to identify ways communities can lead healthier lifestyles. Because of our over 150-year commitment to uniting communities around healthy spirit, mind and body, no institution is better-positioned than the YMCA to act as a unifying force in the effort to improve the health and wellness of all Americans.

What are the facts about America's lifestyle health crisis?

The obesity crisis facing our nation threatens the future well-being of every child and family in America. Addressing the complex causes of this growing epidemic requires a bold, community-based response to change the way local communities live, think and act.

The crisis of chronic disease and obesity facing our nation

• Nearly 59 million adults are obese. Moreover, the epidemic is not limited to adults: the percentage of young people who are overweight has more than doubled in the last 20 years. Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are leading causes of disability and death in the United States
• 125 million Americans live with one or more chronic diseases, and 70 percent of the nation's total medical care costs go to treating those with these conditions.
• More than 1.7 million Americans die of chronic diseases each year, accounting for 70 percent of all deaths in the United States.
• If current trends continue, deaths attributed to poor diet and lack of physical activity may soon surpass smoking attributable deaths.
• Despite the proven benefits of physical activity, more than 50 percent of American adults do not get enough physical activity to provide health benefits: 26 percent are not active at all in their leisure time.
• Thirty-three percent of all U.S. deaths (about 800,000 deaths each year) can be attributed to lack of physical activity, and poor eating habits.

Statistics provided by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Who is collaborating with Activate America?

YMCAs are uniting with the public and private sectors in developing and replicating evidenced-based programs that will strengthen the health of America's kids, families and communities.

YMCAs are calling on other like-minded corporate, government and not-for-profit leaders to join the effort and help enact change.

Expert advisors include America's most prestigious universities and public health organizations

YMCAs are receiving expert advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Harvard and Stanford universities. These advisors are assisting in our multi-year research effort to develop better strategies to serve the health seeker population. This research effort is the core of Activate America®.

Major corporations are also joining the effort

Also joining Activate America® are corporate leaders such as Kimberly-Clark and JCPenney Afterschool. Kimberly-Clark's globally-recognized brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depends are available in more than 150 countries. For more than 130 years, Kimberly-Clark has remained dedicated to improving the health, hygiene and well-being of people of all ages. JCPenney Afterschool is an organization dedicated to helping youth and their families learn about ways to enjoy healthy lifestyles in a fun and engaging way, through afterschool programs that help them reach the true "power of their potential."

Why are YMCAs involved?

Because of our over 150-year commitment to uniting communities around building healthy spirit, mind and body, no institution is better positioned than YMCAs to act as a unifying force in leading this aggressive charge. We are a charitable, not-for-profit, community based organization that collectively serves over 10,000 communities and neighborhoods nationwide, reaching 20.1 million members.

Health and wellness has always been an integral part of YMCAs' charitable mission. Activate America builds upon our track record of pioneering programs that respond to timely societal needs. For example, did you know that the YMCA invented basketball as a means for keeping university students active and out of trouble during winter months, and volleyball was invented at a YMCA for businessmen who found basketball too strenuous? Were you aware that the YMCA pioneered child care in the 70's such that today, YMCAs are collectively the largest providers of child care and after school programs?

YMCAs collectively are also one of the largest providers of health and wellness programs and youth sports in the country. They are working to incorporate physical exercise into all aspects of youth, family and community programming.

In addition, YMCA of the USA, the national resource office for the nation's YMCAs, has a strong public policy arm to drive needed reform at the state and national levels.

How can I get involved?

Activate America® is an ambitious, long-term effort but you can get involved now by:

• Participating in YMCA Healthy Kids® Day. This national event takes place annually in April at more than 1,300 YMCAs to promote physical activity and healthy living habits in children and families.
• Joining that neighbor who goes for a walk after dinner each evening. Calling your local YMCA or Parks and Rec department to see what kind of fitness activities they offer.
• Asking your mayor why your neighborhood doesn't have bike paths or sidewalks.
• Calling your alderperson and telling him or her your community would like a farmer's market.

Where can I find information about healthier living?

Visit the Find Your YMCA area, the Programs area and Resources for Families on ymca.net to find helpful information. You'll also find more tips in YMCA publications like Member News.

These Web sites also have more information on healthy living:

• www.cdc.gov -U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• www.healthierus.gov - the federal government's Steps to a HealthierUS initiative
• www.nrpa.org - Hearts N' Parks Sponsors events in community parks to get families moving
• www.americaonthemove.org - America on the Move is a national initiative dedicated to helping individuals and communities across our nation make positive changes to improve health and quality of life. The key component is to increase your number of daily steps by 2,000, ultimately taking 10,000 steps per day.