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Being physically active is one of the best ways to improve health at any age. It helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases, supports mental well-being, and contributes to healthy aging. Despite these benefits, many Americans remain less active than they should be, and improvements in physical activity levels have been modest over the past two decades.

To address this challenge, the CDC has launched the Active People, Healthy Nation℠ initiative, aiming to get 27 million Americans more active by 2027. This initiative promotes the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans and uses strategies recommended by the Community Preventive Services Task Force to boost activity levels.

One key resource in this effort is the Active Communities Tool Action Planning Guide. This guide helps communities create action plans to enhance built environments, making them more conducive to physical activity. It offers self-assessment tools to understand community needs and provides steps to develop and implement effective plans. The guide is particularly useful for municipalities but can also be adapted for counties or regions with multiple jurisdictions.

Key strategies for increasing physical activity include:

- Developing Complete Streets policies
-  Implementing safe routes to schools
-  Creating shared-use agreements
-  Enhancing workplace facilities and policies
-  Supporting parks, recreation centers, and physical education programs

By focusing on these strategies and working together, we aim to foster environments that encourage physical activity, improving health and quality of life for everyone in the community. For more information on these strategies, visit the CDC’s resources and guidelines.