Physical Activity

Physical activity is key to improving the health of the nation. Based on the latest science, the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans is a flagship resource for health professionals and policymakers that provides recommendations on how everyone can improve their health through regular physical activity. Learn ways to help people understand the benefits of physical activity and how to make it a part of their regular routine.

University of California San Francisco Cardiac Rehab: Providing Comprehensive Support to Help People with Heart Disease Improve Their Health

This blog post is part of a spotlight series featuring examples of programs and community design changes that get older adults moving. The posts were first published as part of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Midcourse Report: Implementation Strategies for Older Adults and highlight ways to apply strategies from the report in different settings.

Hypertension: a Pandemic Perspective

Health and Well-Being Matter. ODPHP Director RDML Paul Reed, MD.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, puts tens of millions of people at risk for largely preventable conditions — such as heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure — and premature death. Hypertension is one of the leading modifiable risk factors causing chronic disease and premature mortality in the United States. Yet a large percentage of Americans are unaware that they have hypertension, and only about 1 in 4 adults in the United States have it under control. Preventing and controlling hypertension for Americans will save lives, reduce inordinate costs, and improve health, well-being, and resilience. The first step toward these outcomes is acknowledging that hypertension, sometimes called the “silent killer” for often going undetected before leading to serious harm, is also a “silent pandemic” — and though it’s not a contagious threat in the traditional sense, hypertension needs to be addressed with even greater attention and urgency. The statistics clearly define the problem.

White House and President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition Announce Historic Partnership with Major Sports Leagues and Players Unions

President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition

Today, the White House, in conjunction with the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition, announced a new partnership with major sports leagues and players associations. The goal of the partnership is to expand access to physical activity, increase nutrition education and messaging, and promote healthy lifestyles to people across the nation.