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News Release

STATEMENT BY TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Regarding National Trails Day

Americans are living longer than ever before. Yet too many still suffer and die from serious illnesses that could be avoided if they took simple, proactive steps to monitor and improve their health. Few factors contribute so much to successful aging as regular physical activity, and it's never too late to start.

I am pleased to help commemorate National Trails Day 2003, appropriately themed "Healthy Trails, Healthy People". The cornerstone of this year's celebration is the inauguration of the East Coast Greenway. The East Coast Greenway, a 2,600-mile trail connecting cities from Maine to Florida, will be a valuable resource to Americans of all ages. This trail is quickly becoming an important facility for recreation, exercise, transportation and health.

One year ago, President Bush launched his HealthierUS Initiative based on the premise that increasing personal fitness and becoming healthier is essential to attaining an improved and longer life. The HealthierUS Initiative is based on four key pillars: Be Physically Active Every Day, Eat a Nutritious Diet, Get Preventive Screenings and Make Healthy Choices. In support of this goal of building a stronger, healthier nation, the Department of Health and Human Services launched Steps to a HealthierUS.

The need for community resources like the East Coast Greenway is increasingly apparent. Overweight and obesity have been increasing at epidemic rates. The prevalence of obesity has doubled in the past two decades in adults while overweight has doubled among children and tripled among adolescents since 1980. More than 60 percent of American adults do not get enough physical activity. We encourage people to use our nation's trails to increase their physical activity. It's a great way to celebrate National Trails Day while improving one's health.

HHS is partnering with the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture, and the Army Corps of Engineers to promote the use of public land to enhance the physical and psychological health and well being of the American people as part of the HealthierUS initiative. We encourage Americans to use the East Coast Greenway and other trails as their way to help us build a HealthierUS.

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

Last Revised: June 5, 2003