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Action
Because of the change in program focus, from 2005-2010 the HDSP Program will support the PAN Branch and other partners in achieving their objectives as outlined in the North Carolina Blueprint for Changing Policies and Environments in Support of Healthy Eating. and other goals and objectives as they evolve.
Sample Strategies:
Program Services
- Support the establishment of Pedometer Programs that encourage participants to increase their physical activity by tracking the number of steps taken each day and working to increase those steps to a goal of 10,000 steps a day.
- Promote education of health care professionals on the importance of physical activity through training and other resources.
- Disseminate the "Starting the Conversation" tools for physical activity, nutrition and tobacco. These tools provide health care providers with a science-based and feasible way to conduct a brief assessment and counseling session with their patients about key health behaviors, and to refer them to local, state and national resources to support them in making healthier choices.
Public Awareness
- Incorporate messages about the importance of physical activity for cardiovascular health into task force social marketing campaigns
Policy
- Support policies such as the state school board "Healthy Active Children" policy to improve physical activity opportunities in schools. The policy:
- requires the establishment of a local school health advisory council and an annual report to the State School Board from each Local Education Agency (LEA),
- requires at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily in grades K-8,
- forbids the use or withholding of physical activity as a form of punishment;
- recommends that schools consider the benefits of 150 minutes of physical education for elementary schools and 225 minutes for middle schools,
- creates a study committee to assess the feasibility of increased physical education requirements,
- requires a coordinated school health approach using the Healthful Living curriculum.
- Work with worksites on policies and environments to encourage physical activity, to lengthen breaks and provide flex hours so employees can engage in physical activity programs during work hours.
- Work with employers, faith and civic groups to routinely incorporate physical activity, such as stretching exercises or walks after lunch, into meetings or events.
- Continue to work with public and private health plans through the BASIC Preventive Benefits Initiative to develop insurance products and tools that address physical activity for prevention and management of chronic diseases
- Conduct pilots with the State Employee Health Plan Wellness Initiative to establish physical activity supports for all state employees through their work unit.
Responsible Parties and Partnering Organizations:
The Physical Activity and Nutrition Branch, NC-DHHS; the Association of Athletics, Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance; Local Physical Activity and Nutrition Councils; YWCA; YMCA; Department of Public Instruction; Department of Transportation; Parks and Recreation; the American Heart Association; Action For Healthy Kids; Department of Health Behavior and Health Education & Department of Physical Education and Exercise Science, UNC-Chapel Hill; NC Prevention Partners; local health departments, especially the six lead HDSP counties and two disparity counties; Statewide Health Promotion Program (SHPP), Healthy Carolinians Task Forces, HDSP Branch, State Health Plan, Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission, Fit Together, Active Living by Design, Project SELF Improvement.
Last Updated 01/05/09
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