Recreation programs cut communities' health bills - Tip-Off - Hearts N' Parks - Brief Article

A recently released study in Health Affairs provided further evidence that heart disease is the most expensive health problem in the U.S. In 1997 alone, it cost the U.S. $58 billion to treat. Cancer ranked second at $46 billion, followed by trauma at $44 billion and mental disorders at nearly $30 billion. What makes the figures all the more disturbing is that heart disease is preventable. Park and recreation programs, such as NRPA's Hearts N' Parks, are moving the mark in community health. Be sure your community knows that your recreation programs do more than bring people together; communities become heart healthy and happier because of parks and recreation.

Fifty recreation sites in 11 states have now completed their first year as Hearts N' Parks magnet centers. By incorporating Hearts N' Parks activities into their programs, these agencies have helped to curb the growing trend of obesity and physical inactivity. They've played a crucial role in encouraging Americans of all ages to aim for a healthy weight, follow a heart-healthy diet and engage in regular physical activity.

Now the program is in its second year, and there's an opportunity for magnet centers to expand their reach with new programs and partners. Hearts N' Parks sites will attend one of five training programs that will expand networking options for community health and recreation leaders. Held in Des Peres, Mo., Albuquerque, N.M., Largo, Fla., Clark County, Nev., and Lafayette, Ind., these sessions will provide training on the Hearts N' Parks nutrition and physical activity curriculum, discuss the lessons learned from the program's first year and cover aspects related to abstracts and performance indicators. For more information on Hearts N' Parks, go to www.nrpa.org and click on "Programs," then "Health."