Advocacy Project: Healthy People/THOMAS

My Healthy People 2010 goal of interest
- My focus for my advocacy project is going to be focused on: Improve health, fitness, and quality of life through daily physical activity.

- Objective: Reduce the proportion of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity. Target: 20 percent. Baseline: 40 percent of adults aged 18 years and older engaged in no leisure-time physical activity in 1997 (age adjusted to the year 2000 standard population).

Progress Quotient Chart
According to the progress quotient chart the no leisure time/no physical activity for 18+ is moving towards its goal by 15%, and regular physical (moderate or vigorous) is also moving towards its goal by 6%. Moderate physical activity by kids in grades 9th-12th is moving away from target by 25%. Vigorous activity for grades 9th-12th has also moved away from its goal by 10%. And participation in daily physical activity in grades school 9th-12th has also moved away from its goal by 5%. The most recent data collection was in 2003 so this data is about 6-7 years old.

Opportunities and Challenges
One the biggest challenges is that people have changed their lifestyle. Back in the 20th century daily life involved a lot of activities such as yard work (mowing lawn etc). Until a time came where chronic diseases and other bad health ailements supposedly arose from this type of lifestyle. Opportunities for professional development have increased within the field. The challenges are the lack of evidence for selected populations for physically active programs for them.

Disparities
According to the table White non-hispanic has the best rate for no leisure time and physical activity within people of 18+ years. American Indian have the worse and are at a percent of 50-99% of non active. The second group with the lowest physical activity rate is Hispanic/Latino group with a percent rate of no activity of 10-49 percent. The scale is basically the same or not specific enough also for all categories.

Emerging issues
The biggest emerging issue that still exists is if physical activity is the “pillar” to stop and prevent chronic disease and also to help stop/aid in mental illnesses.

SF2039 East Phillips cultural and community center cultural fitness and wellness center grant appropriation.
Title: Appropriating money to the East Phillips cultural and community center topredesign, design, construct, furnish and equip a culturally specific fitnessand wellness center.
Sponsor: S.F. No. 2039,Mary Murphy (DFL) as introduced - 86th Legislative Session (2009-2010)
Latest Major Action: 4-1-2009 was referred to chair Cultural and Outdoor Resources and Finance Division.
Recommendation: Vote yes for SF2039 East Phillips cultural and community center cultural fitness and wellness center grant appropriation.
My political Representative: Keith Ellison.