Blueprint Partners Progress Newsletter: June 2004

In this Issue:

Organizations Share Joint Health Recommendations to Fight Leading Causes of Death
FDA Obesity Working Group Report Released
Obesity Research Article on State Level Medical Expenditures Attributable to Obesity
Multicultural Diabetes Prevention Campaign
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy TrailLink
Blueprint Mini-Grant Update: Palmetto Conservation Foundation
Upcoming Health Events

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Organizations Share Joint Health Recommendations to Fight Leading Causes of Death
The American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, and American Heart Association this month released a joint set of four recommendations for Americans to lower their risk of disease. The three organizations also launched a public and professional education campaign, “Everyday Choices for a Healthier Life”. The website features information on healthy eating, physical activity, weight management, smoking cessation and recommended medical tests. www.everydaychoices.org

FDA Obesity Working Group Report Released
The Food and Drug Administration report provides recommendations on educating consumers and changing food labels. The group touts the message, “calories count.”

Obesity Research Article on State Level Medical Expenditures Attributable to Obesity
www.obesityresearch.org
Annual U.S. obesity-attributable medical expenses are estimated at $75 billion in 2003 dollars. This article discusses the economic impact of obesity at the state level.

Multicultural Diabetes Prevention Campaign
www.ndep.nih.gov
The Department of Health and Human Services prevention campaign, “Small Steps, Big Rewards” targets multicultural and older adult audiences, encouraging high-risk individuals to make modest lifestyle changes that can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy TrailLink
www.traillink.com
Search the TrailLink database for detailed information on locations, services, reviews, and photographs for America’s rail-trails. The database is a good resource to find local trails for walking and biking.

Blueprint Mini-Grant Update: Palmetto Conservation Foundation
The four churches awarded money for the Get Active Glenn Springs project have successfully promoted trail walking within their congregation and the community by organizing ongoing walking and trail beautification programs. An anticipated 440 adults are expected to participate.

The Palmetto Conservation Foundation, HeartWise, and USC Prevention Research Center have collaborated to conduct a naturalistic survey in the Glenn Springs community. The 2003 results showed increases in awareness about the trail availability in the community, exposure and trail usage, and physical activity levels. Findings from 2002-2003 show an increase in awareness from 46% in 2002 to 71% in 2003 and a 15% increase in trail usage from 2002. These increases have proven that with added exposure and intervention, seniors in Glenn Springs are becoming more aware of the trail and more physically active. A community walking map that promotes local walking programs on the Glenn Springs Passage of the Palmetto Trail has been distributed to 4,500 local residents.

Upcoming Health Events
September is Healthy Aging Month, sponsored by the Healthy Aging Campaign

Pro Walk/Pro Bike 2004, National Center for Bicycling and Walking
September 7-10, 2004; Victoria, BC

National Women’s Health & Fitness Day, Health Information Resource Center
September 29, 2004

Family Health & Fitness Day USA, Health Information Resource Center
September 25, 2004

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The Blueprint Partners Project is an initiative of the Active Aging Partnership. For more information, contact the National Blueprint Office at the University of Illinois Department of Kinesiology.
Website: www.agingblueprint.org