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About AHPN

AHPN Background

The Activity and Health Policy Network (AHPN) is an organizational partnership to advance public policy on physical activity and reduce physical inactivity.  AHPN grew out of a groundbreaking policy conference convened by the American College of Sports Medicine in Washington, D.C. in April 2006.  Representatives from more than 40 organizations articulated a call to action, citing six key policy initiatives. The executive summary of this conference is available as a PDF file for examination.

Already noted for its success in influencing policy, the Network continues to implement advocacy and communication strategies at federal, state and local levels.

Driving the efforts of AHPN are six key goals

1. National Guidelines for Physical Activity, to be regularly developed, updated and promoted
2. A National Program of Educational and Behavioral Change concerning physical activity and inactivity, similar to the highly successful national program on cholesterol education
3. The National Plan for Physical Activity, bringing a broad range of organizations together under federal auspices to implement strategies for increasing physical activity
4. Federal Emphasis on Biomedical Science reflecting a strong priority on promoting active lifestyles and reducing sedentariness
5. Health-Care Goals at State and Federal Levels that address health promotion and disease prevention, based on science and medicine and integrated into health care at all levels
6. Strategies Focusing on Key Populations and Settings such as Youth, Older Adults, and Racial/Ethnic Minorities, Schools, Communities, Worksites, and Healthcare Settings

AHPN Leadership

Guiding the Activity and Health Policy Network is an Executive Committee comprising leading authorities in a variety of disciplines and specialties such as exercise medicine, public health, and special populations. They include researchers, educators, clinicians and representatives of nonprofit organizations.

• Russell Pate, Ph.D., FACSM, chaired the Policy Roundtable in 2006 and serves as chair of the AHPN.
• Terry Bazzarre, Ph.D.
• Frank Booth, Ph.D., FACSM
• Ross Brownson, Ph.D., FACSM
• Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko, Ph.D., FACSM
• J. Larry Durstine, Ph.D., FACSM
• Amy Eyler, Ph.D., FACSM
• William Haskell, Ph.D., FACSM
• Michael Pratt, M.D., FACSM
• Nicolaas Pronk, Ph.D., FACSM
• Stephen Rice, M.D., Ph.D., FACSM
• James Rimmer, Ph.D., FACSM
• Tom Schmid, Ph.D., FACSM

AHPN Staff

James R. Whitehead
Executive Vice President, American College of Sports Medicine 

Founding organization: American College of Sports Medicine

With more than 20,000 International, National, and Regional Chapter members, the American College of Sports Medicine is the largest organization in the world dedicated to sports medicine and exercise science. ACSM convened the Policy Roundtable that led to the Activity and Health Policy Network and continues to support AHPN’s activities and growth.
 
The mission of the American College of Sports Medicine is to promote and integrate scientific research, education, and practical applications of sports medicine and exercise science to maintain and enhance physical performance, fitness, health, and quality of life. For more information, visit the ACSM web site, http://www.acsm.org.

Join the AHPN!

For more information on joining the Activity and Health Policy Network, or to contact us for more information visit our Join/Contact page.