{"id":114,"date":"2009-08-30T00:09:07","date_gmt":"2009-08-29T23:09:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bjsm\/?p=114"},"modified":"2009-08-30T00:09:07","modified_gmt":"2009-08-29T23:09:07","slug":"acsm-behaviour-change-and-advocacy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bjsm\/2009\/08\/30\/acsm-behaviour-change-and-advocacy\/","title":{"rendered":"ACSM: Behaviour change and advocacy"},"content":{"rendered":"

As you know, the <\/em>American<\/em> <\/em>College<\/em> of Sports Medicine is actively advocating clinicians take a more active role in exercise prescription. The organization also aims to be politically active \u2013 an essential for behaviour change. Here you see a letter that Robert Sallis shared with members; also new ACSM president James Pivarnik wrote to President Obama\u2019s nominee for Surgeon-General. Interesting times with much more attention to behaviour change and advocacy than there was in the past. <\/em><\/p>\n

– K. Khan<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Prevention involves lifestyle changes, not just diagnostics<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

As health system reform takes center stage in the United States, prevention has become a hot topic among lawmakers, media and the public.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some question the cost savings of preventive health care. Does it save money in the long run, or is it an expensive indulgence with too little benefit to justify the up-front cost? <\/span><\/p>\n

Answer: It depends. While many diagnostics, such as colonoscopies and mammograms, save lives and head off expensive treatment regimens, some may be unneeded. Sound medical judgment and appropriate guidelines are required.<\/span><\/p>\n

But, everyone can practice prevention in the form of healthy lifestyles, and it doesn\u2019t cost a dime. Better nutrition and higher levels of physical activity don\u2019t increase cost, and they bring a huge payoff in terms of lower health-care costs, increased productivity and greater quality of life. Getting more active, eating a bit healthier, incorporating some kind of movement into everyday life \u2013 those are the main keys to health, longevity and disease prevention. It was recently reported that treating obesity was responsible for the biggest jump in health care spending in recent years; obese populations accounted for $303.1 billion in health care costs in 2006, nearly doubling the $166.7 billion spent on these individuals in 2001.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a very real sense, exercise is medicine. Studies repeatedly show that physical activity and exercise can help prevent obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other chronic conditions. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

And leading a healthier lifestyle needn\u2019t mean hitting the treadmill every night or becoming fanatical about exercise. Walking for 30 minutes each night after dinner or during a lunch hour has powerful preventive effects and requires just a pair of comfortable walking shoes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Physicians and other health care providers should encourage patients to become physically active. A public survey conducted in 2007 by the American College of Sports Medicine found that nearly two-thirds of patients (65 percent) would be more interested in exercising to stay healthy if advised by their doctor and given additional resources.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bottom line: While we trim unnecessary costs to better manage health-care resources, let\u2019s keep in mind the powerful and necessary cost-effective potential of healthy lifestyles. Truly, exercise is medicine\u2014a prescription for better health.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sincerely,<\/span><\/p>\n

Robert Sallis, M.D., FACSM<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Dear Dr. Benjamin,<\/p>\n

Congratulations on your nomination as United States Surgeon General. Based on\u00a0your extraordinary career and your commitment to addressing health disparities\u00a0among underserved populations, no doubt your tenure will be marked by great\u00a0progress toward the goal of improved health for all Americans.<\/p>\n

Each United States Surgeon General has the unique opportunity to create his or\u00a0her own lasting legacy. Dr. Koop focused on smoking prevention. Dr. Satcher, one\u00a0of your own mentors, released the first comprehensive report on mental health.\u00a0We encourage you to build your own legacy around the concept o\u00a0prevention\u00a0through healthy lifestyles<\/strong> \u2013 a legacy that is both sustainable and cost-effective.This also is an important issue for Members of Congress, many of whom believe\u00a0that promoting prevention and wellness initiatives will bring down costs and help\u00a0people lead healthier lives.\u00a0 ACSM would be honored to partner with you on such\u00a0an initiative. <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the largest sports medicine\u00a0and exercise science organization in the world, stands ready to work with you to\u00a0increase healthy behaviors \u2013 especially physical activity \u2013 throughout the life\u00a0span.\u00a0 During this crucial period of health system reform, we\u2019ve been advocating\u00a0for strategies that support preventive medicine not just through diagnostic testing,\u00a0but by promoting healthy, active behaviors that all Americans can achieve at little\u00a0or no cost.<\/p>\n

In fact, ACSM already has a working agreement with the Surgeon General\u2019s\u00a0office, focused initially on a series of healthy-lifestyle public service\u00a0announcements for our Exercise is Medicine\u2122 program, a program that\u00a0specifically calls on doctors to encourage their patients to incorporate physical\u00a0activity and exercise into their daily routine. As you are well aware, physical\u00a0activity can prevent and treat a host of chronic conditions \u2013 such as heart disease,\u00a0type II diabetes, and obesity \u2013 that currently plague our country. Your example as\u00a0one whose family has suffered from preventable disease and who demonstrates\u00a0healthy lifestyles can be powerful indeed.<\/p>\n

Anytime either before or after your appointment is confirmed, we would welcome\u00a0the opportunity to meet with you and your staff to discuss how we, along with\u00a0other leading health organizations, can enhance the prevention paradigm through\u00a0physical activity.<\/p>\n

Again, Dr. Benjamin, I extend our deepest congratulations and best wishes.<\/p>\n

Sincerely,<\/p>\n

James Pivarnik, Ph.D., FACSM<\/p>\n

President, American College of Sports Medicine<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As you know, the American College of Sports Medicine is actively advocating clinicians take a more active role in exercise prescription. The organization also aims to be politically active \u2013 an essential for behaviour change. Here you see a letter that Robert Sallis shared with members; also new ACSM president James Pivarnik wrote to President […]<\/p>\n

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