NATIONAL AWARDS PROGRAM: The National Association of Governors’ Councils on Physical Fitness and Sports (NAGCPFS) has announced the recipients of their first annual National Awards Program. The Oregon Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sport received the 1998 State Governor’s Council Award. The Council was established in 1992 and offers many programs, including Fitness Day in Oregon, a statewide event highlighting the Council’s objective of "Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle for All Oregonians," Shape Up Across Oregon, an exciting physical activity program with a special focus on youth and families. Ms. Marilyn Roofner, Chairperson of the Florida Governor’s Council of Physical Fitness, received the State Council Member of the Year Award. Ms. Roofner has championed the Walk About Florida Program and the Model Physical Education Programs at elementary, middle and high schools in Florida. She also has helped with corporate sponsorship of several events organized by the Council. These awards were presented by Dan Jansen, Olympic Gold Medalist, at the NAGCPFS Annual Meeting on March 6, 1998.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON

RACE INITIATIVE: President Clinton’s new Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Initiative sets a national goal of eliminating, by the Year 2010, longstanding disparities in health status that affect racial and ethnic minority groups. The President announced that the federal government will set high national health goals for ALL Americans, ending the practice of lower, separate goals for minorities. The initiative will focus on six areas: infant mortality, cancer screening and management, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and child and adult immunization rates. Four hundred million dollars is allocated to develop new approaches, including $150 million (over 5 years) for community grants. A new $250 million (over 5 years) is earmarked for strengthening public health programs that have proven successful in addressing the targeted problem areas. Grantmakers in Health, an association of over 130 foundations with over $42 billion in assets, will team up with the Department of Health and Human Services to co-host a conference later this spring to help coordinate public and private efforts in closing the gap in minority health.

BUDGET DEBATE: The use of tobacco settlement funds and projected budget surpluses have been the subject of intense debates on Capitol Hill. With mounting concerns about the future of the Medicare and Social Security programs, coupled with pressures for tax cuts, there is cause for worry about funding for discretionary health programs. If no settlement money is available and current programs bump up against tough budget caps, the impact could be significant for agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control.

ISTEA: The Senate passed re-authorization of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) (S1173) on March 12, 1998. This bill includes funding for key public health activities, including injury prevention, physical activity, public transportation, and clean air. The bill provides $1.3 billion to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, as well as $631 million for bicycle trails, walking paths, car pool parking, and other community transportation enhancements. The House is expected to move quickly on its version of ISTEA re-authorization, HR 2400. The House and Senate bills are significantly different, so expect reconciliation in conference committee later in the spring.

SPRING RECESS: House and Senate Members are heading home on April 3, 1998, for two weeks. It’s a great time to make an appointment to see your Senator or Representative and let them know how much you value his/her support for public health programs and for initiatives (such as ISTEA) that support physical activity.

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS

AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SPORTS MEDICINE, HEALTH AND FITNESS SUMMIT AND EXPOSITION: Theme: Bridging the Gap Between Science and Practice. April 29 – May 3, 1998. Austin, Texas. Cost is $265 for members, $285 for non-members. For more information, contact ACSM at (317) 637-9200.

AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SPORTS MEDICINE, 45^th ANNUAL MEETING. June 3-6, 1998. Orlando, Florida. Cost is $170 for members, $325 for non-members (costs go up after April 15). For more information, contact ACSM at (317) 637-9200.

MEASURING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN OLDER MINORITY WOMEN. Findings from an exploratory meeting of 53 physical activity measurement experts recommend that physical activity surveys for older and minority women should be designed to reflect their lives, cultural interests, and be more sensitive to their multiple life roles. Surveys should also be designed to reflect national physical activity and public health goals. The meeting was part of the Women’s Health Initiative of the National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control funded research to develop and validate physical activity surveys for minority women ages 40 and older. See Masse et al., Measuring Physical Activity in Midlife, Older and Minority Women: Issues From an Expert Panel. Journal of Women’s Health 1: 57-67, 1998.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES REDUCE NEED FOR BLOOD PRESSURE DRUGS IN THE ELDERLY. Investigators in TONE (Trial of Nonpharmacologic Interventions in the Elderly) have shown that elderly, previously hypertensive individuals who lose weight and cut down on salt can lessen and even eliminate the need for blood pressure-lowering medications. At the end of this 30-month study, 30% of the participants were able to control their blood pressure without medication. This study has important implications for physicians and public health professionals because it shows that older people with hypertension are able to make and to sustain lifestyle changes – even after decades of physical inactivity and unhealthy eating habits. In an accompanying editorial, Dr. Jeremiah Stamler suggests that sufficient evidence exists for primary prevention of hypertension throughout the life span by modification of diet, eating habits and exercise. See Whelton et al., Sodium Reduction and Weight Loss in the Treatment of Hypertension in Older Persons: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Nonpharmacologic Interventions in the Elderly (TONE). Journal of the American Medical Association 279: 839-846 (1998).

OVERWEIGHT KIDS AND TELEVISION: Researchers from Johns Hopkins University and NHLBI used data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to estimate amounts of physical activity and television watching among more than 4000 US children. Overall, approximately 20% of children reported less than 3 bouts of vigorous activity each week, while 26% of children watched 4 or more hours of television daily. Increased television watching was associated with increased body weight index and body fatness. Thus, it appears that the increasing prevalence of obesity among children and the increasing popularity of sedentary leisure time activities may well be related. See Andersen et al., Relationship of Physical Activity and Television Watching with Body Weight and Level of Fatness Among Children. Journal of the American Medical Association 279: 938 – 942 (1998).

LIFELONG LIFESTYLES FOR HEALTH: Lifelong physical activity promotes good health for girls and women, but there are many, many barriers to regular participation in our sedentary society. Education plays an important role, but supportive environments and access to appealing activities are other necessary elements. This article summarizes the major health benefits of physical acitivty for women, and calls for broad community support for changing gender stereotypes and encouraging women to be physically active. See Brehm and Iannotta, Women and Physical Activity: Active Lifestyles Enhance Health and Well-Being. Journal of Health Education 29: 89-92 (1998)

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PATTERNS TRACK DURING CHILDHOOD: Results from a three-year study of children (3-4 years old) show that physical activity behaviors tend to track during early childhood and that less active children tend to remain less active than most of their peers. These findings highlight the need for parents, educators, and health care providers to become actively involved in the promotion of physical activity and fitness in children and youth. See Pate et al., Tracking of Physical Activity in Young Children. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 28: 92-96 (1996).

MEASURE YOUR STEPS WALKED WITH A DIGIWALKER: Want to know which pedometer is most accurate? Based on a study of five pedometers (Freestyle Pacer, Eddie Bauer, LL Bean, Yamax, and Accusplit), the Yamax Digiwalker was nearly 100% accurate in recording the distance and steps taken, regardless of the walking speed or surface. The others were less accurate. So what? Research in Japan using the Digiwalker showed improvements in insulin sensitivity among diabetic men who walked 10,000 steps per day as compared to men who walk much less. Similar research in the U.S. is underway. You can purchase a Digiwalker from Optimal Health Products, 4900 Broadway, San Antonio TX 78209; telephone (210) 824-4200 for less than $20. See Bassett et al., Accuracy of Five Electronic Pedometers for Measuring Distance Walked. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 28: 1071-1077 (1996).

SUNSHINE ALERT: Spring means fresh air and sunshine – the American Cancer Society reminds you not to forget the ABC’s of sun protection. A = AWAY: Stay away from the sun in the middle of the day. B = BLOCK: Use a #15 or higher sun block. C=COVER-UP: Wear a t-shirt and a hat. Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, although it is one of the most preventable. About 80% of skin cancers can be prevented by avoiding sunburn, especially in childhood and early adolescence. Be careful out there!

NGA WOMEN’S HEALTH CAMPAIGN: The National Governors’ Association, Governors’ Spouses Program, is about to release the 1997 Activity Report from its Women’s Health Campaign. The Governor’s spouses began speaking out about women’s health issues in 1994, with their first breast cancer initiative. They expanded their efforts in 1997 to address cardiovascular disease, physical activity, osteoporosis, menopause, mental health, as well as breast cancer. Cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis are ready links to physical activity, but four states have focused efforts specifically on physical activity. These are Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, South Carolina. What are you waiting for? Contact the Women’s Health Coordinator at your state health department or call your Governor’s Office and find out how to get involved in your state.