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News Release

SECRETARY THOMPSON LAUNCHES
THE SECRETARY'S CHALLENGE: STEPS TO A HEALTHIERHHS
Being Active At Least 30 Minutes a Day, Five Days a Week for Six Weeks is Goal

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced the formal kick-off of The Secretary's Challenge: Steps to a HealthierHHS, a new worksite health promotion program encouraging department employees to become more physically active. The voluntary initiative promotes the benefits of a healthy lifestyle by challenging employees to be on the move -- at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week for six weeks.

"From day one, disease prevention and health promotion has been a top priority for me and the entire department," Secretary Thompson said. "I believe we should lead by example, and what better way than to encourage a little healthy competition among the HHS family."

To successfully complete The Secretary's Challenge, an employee must engage in moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week from Sept. 22 to Oct. 31. The goal of the program is to help make physical activity an ongoing habit for employees.

"Too many individuals are risking their long-term health through inactivity, overweight and obesity, and poor diet," Secretary Thompson said. "The Secretary's Challenge is a springboard to better health and wellness, one that demonstrates the positive impact of physical activity on employee health; the workplace; as well as mind, body and spirit."

Modeled after the President's Challenge physical activity program administered by the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, The Secretary's Challenge is the newest phase of Steps to a HealthierUS, Secretary Thompson's prevention initiative to expand and build upon the President's HealthierUS goal of helping Americans live longer, healthier lives.

The Secretary's Challenge will begin as a pilot involving about 3,000 HHS employees in Washington, D.C., with the goal of extending the challenge to all 65,000 HHS employees and to other departments. Participants in the Challenge will log-in their daily activities using the President's Challenge Web site.

Launched in June 2001 by President Bush, HealthierUS focuses on four core areas for improved health and wellness: physical activity, preventive screenings, balanced nutrition, and healthy choices.

Overall, 7 in 10 Americans who die each year die of a chronic disease. About 59 million adults are either overweight or obese. The nation's children and adolescents are heavier than they've ever been in history.

"We must marshal our resources to put an end to these chronic public health burdens," Secretary Thompson said.

More information about the HealthierUS initiative is available at http://www.healthierus.gov/. More information about the President's Challenge program is available at http://www.presidentschallenge.org/.

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Last Revised: September 15, 2003