News Release
July, 11 1996

Michigan Tackling Physical Inactivity Problem

A major new Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health, to be released Thursday, is expected to provide an unprecedented, comprehensive national look at the benefits of physical activity and the health risks of an inactive lifestyle.

The report will show that as many as 250,000 deaths per year in the U.S. are attributable to a lack of regular physical activity, with millions more suffering from related chronic diseases. Approximately 3.7 million Michigan adults are estimated to lead inactive or sedentary lifestyles.

In Michigan, however, the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports and the Michigan Department of Community Health (DCH) are doing something about this. Together, they have been leading various efforts to promote and increase physical activity. Over the last four years, the council has initiated the development of a model K-12 physical education "fitness for life" curriculum in which more than 250,000 Michigan children participated this year. In addition, eight regional fitness councils were developed to help spread the message about the benefits of physical activity at the grass-roots level and 30 local physical activity grants serving over 50,000 Michigan citizens were awarded over the last two years.

The council also initiated the Great Lakes State Games this year, which allow Michigan residents the opportunity to participate in amateur athletic events. More than 14,000 athletes, coaches, volunteers, and citizens participated in the state games in June.

On another front, the DCH Worksite and Community Health Program (WCHP) awarded grants to approximately 2,000 small and medium work sites over the last two years to promote wellness in the workplace, including increased physical activity, hypertension control, tobacco cessation, and dietary improvement. An additional 2,000 community-focused health promotion prevention activities were also conducted by the WCHP program.

"These initiatives have reached more than 1 million Michigan citizens with health promotion programs during the two-year period," said DCH Director James K. Haveman, Jr., "and they have had an impact."

He noted that Michigan's ranking for coronary heart disease has improved from the 2nd worst to 12th worst state in the nation in the past five years. And Michigan's trend toward increasing obesity and physical inactivity appears to be leveled off with no significant increase in the last three years. "Clearly, we still have a long way to go, but it appears that Michigan has turned the corner. The new federal report can only help our ongoing efforts to get Michigan Moving!"

Charles T. Kuntzleman, chair of the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports, said the release of the Surgeon General's Report will be the start of an ongoing national effort to make the public more aware of the health risks of physical inactivity and to encourage everyone to adopt a more active, healthier lifestyle.

"Physical inactivity is an important contributor to cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death in Michigan and the United States," Haveman said. "About one in every two deaths in Michigan is due to CVD, a category which includes heart disease and stroke, and 45% of these deaths could be prevented with changes in lifestyle."

In addition, it is estimated that eight out of ten Michigan adults have one or more CVD risk factors. "Again, a more active, healthier lifestyle can reduce these risk factors," Haveman said.

Kuntzleman added: "Physical inactivity is a deadly serious health problem in Michigan. But people who are inactive will be pleasantly surprised at the small change it takes to significantly reduce the risk of chronic disease. Simple, modest increases in daily physical activity will greatly improve the health of Michigan residents. The Surgeon General's Report, along with the initiatives of the Governor's Council and the Michigan Department of Community Health, will help make physical activity as much a part of healthy living as avoiding tobacco or wearing a seat belt."