Blueprint Partners Progress Newsletter: August 2007

In This Issue
New Online Learning Network Highlights Research Findings
Updated Physical Activity Guidelines Released
CDC Developed a New Publication on Community-Based Physical Activity Programs
NCOA Seeks to Fill Vice President of Health Promotion Position
Report on the Aging of America Released
Obesity is Expected to Reach Alarming Rates In Eight Years
Upcoming Events and Conferences

________________________________________________

New Online Learning Network Highlights Research Findings
Active for Life has launched the Learning Network for Active Aging website, designed to bring research findings to communities and professionals working to assist older adults in a pursuit for healthy lives.
www.lnactiveaging.org
The Learning Network is coordinated with EPA’s Aging Initiative: www.epa.gov/aging/index.htm

Updated Physical Activity Guidelines Released
The American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association have updated the 1995 physical activity recommendations for adults and older adults. In the new guidelines, recommendations suggest that adults need moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity for at least 30 minutes on five days per week or vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity for at least 20 minutes on three days each week. For more information on the update, visit the ACSM website, www.acsm.org

CDC Developed a New Publication on Community-Based Physical Activity Programs
CDC’s Prevention Research Center-Healthy Aging Research Network held a symposium in February to explore challenges and strategies associated with developing physical activity programs for adults living in communities. The publication, “Moving Ahead: Strategies and Tools to Plan, Conduct, and Maintain Effective Community-Based Physical Activity Programs for Older Adults,” is a monograph of the conference’s key outcomes. The conference centered on the RE-AIM model and its components.
www.cdc.gov

NCOA Seeks to Fill Vice President of Health Promotion Position
NCOA is seeking a seasoned professional with experience in health promotion to join its organization. This individual would serve as a leader in the area of evidence-based health promotion programming, and oversee the planning and operations of the NCOA’s primary program in addition to supervising four key staff members.
http://www.healthyagingprograms.org

Report on the Aging of America Released
The Brookings Institution has developed a report, “Mapping the Growth of America: Seniors and Boomers in the Early 21st Century,” which explores the challenges of suburban areas and the Sun Belt, where Baby Boomers tend to remain into retirement. Pre-senior populations are growing rapidly, especially in Las Vegas, Austin, Atlanta, and Dallas. The World War II generation is growing fastest in suburb areas of the Intermountain West and South Atlantic states.

Obesity is Expected to Reach Alarming Rates in Eight Years
After examining published studies and national surveys on weight and behavior, researchers at Johns Hopkins University estimated that if people keep gaining weight at the current rate, 75 percent of American adults will be overweight by 2015 and 41 percent will be obese. (Source: Reuters Health)

Upcoming Events and Conferences
ACE International Fitness Symposium: Sept. 4-7, 2007; Las Vegas, NV; American Council on Exercise

Life @ 50+: AARP National Event & Expo: Sept. 6-8, 2007; Boston, MA

NCGNP Annual Conference: Sept. 13-15, 2007; San Diego, CA; National Conference on Gerontological Nurse Practitioners

NRPA 2007 Congress & Expo: Sept. 25-29, 2007; Indianapolis, IN; National Recreation and Park Association

61st Annual High Blood Pressure Research Conference 2007: Sept. 26-29, 2007; Tucson, AZ; American Heart Association

AAFP Scientific Assembly: Oct. 3-7, 2007; Chicago, IL; American Academy of Family Physicians

Cooper Institute Conference: Diversity in Physical Activity and Health; Oct. 18-20, 2007; Dallas, TX

National Hispanic Council on Aging 9th Annual Conference; Oct. 31-Nov. 2; Dallas, TX

________________________________________________

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