February 2008

YMCA Targets U.S. Lifestyle Health Crisis

For nearly 160 years, the YMCA has been an evolving entity, meeting the changing needs of communities and individuals looking for recreation, sports, fitness, child care, education and more. This important organization continues to evolve to this day, and recently adopted a new strategic plan that aims straight for the heart of the nation's healthy lifestyle crisis, according to president and CEO Neil Nicoll.

More than 2,600 YMCAs serve over 20 million people each year, including 9.4 million children under 18 years old. These ubiquitous organizations can be found in communities across the country, helping urban residents and small-town citizens alike with programs that aim to unit people of all ages, faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels.

In recognition of the current health challenges faced by families and individuals across the country, the YMCA is leading on a new, ambitious plan targeting three areas of emphasis where the organization believes it can have the highest impact:

• Holistic development of children and youth
• Family strengthening
• Health and well-being for all

The YMCA's "Activate America" program is an ambitious public health initiative, central to the organization's commitment to health and well-being. According to the YMCA Web site, organizations across the country are participating in this initiative in various ways. For example, more than 400 YMCAs are redefining themselves and engaging their communities to provide better opportunities for people of all ages to pursue health and well-being in spirit, mind and body. Also, more than 900 YMCA's joined the America On the Move Week at the YMCA this past September, hosting events and activities to help people get active. Furthermore, every spring, over 1,400 YMCAs host an interactive special Healthy Kids Day, which encourages kids and families to adopt healthy behaviors.

"Through Activate America, YMCAs are resolved to shift the way we work with health seekers to more effectively support Americans in establishing better and lasting habits around their health," Nicoll explained. "While we don't assume that YMCAs can single-handedly improve health and well-being of Americans, we believe improvements cannot be made without the YMCA."

The YMCA collaborates with corporate and government entities across the country and is continuing to deepen its impact through expert advisers like the Stanford University School of Medicine.

"The YMCA's commitment to the health and well-being of all Americans through Activate America has huge potential to reverse the declining health trend in America," said Wesley Alles, Ph.D., a senior research scholar at the school.

For more information, visit www.ymca.net.