Active Living Program News


Highlight Your Healthy Living Programs During National Health Observances

Every year, government health agencies in the United States and other countries produce calendars of national health observances. These are days, weeks, or months of the year dedicated to promoting a particular health concern. Health and wellness professionals and Active Living Partners providers in particular can use these observances as a time to highlight how your programs and services help to raise awareness of health issues. The next few months promote several observances related to physical activity and nutrition. Here are some ideas on how make the most of these events.

  • Launch your program in conjunction with a national health observance. September is Fruit and Vegetable Month—perfect for Healthy Eating Every Day! Plan a display at a health fair, or offer informational sessions in the community or at department meetings to get people signed up for your next class.
  • Contact local media to tell them about a unique aspect of your program that relates to a national observance. September is Healthy Aging Month, and the last week of September is Active Aging Week. Do you have an older participant in a program that promotes physical activity, such as Active Living Every Day, who has a personal story that would make a good human interest piece? Reveal some part of your program or organization that sets you apart, and let people know about it.
  • Take advantage of free or low-cost marketing materials supplied by organizing agencies. You can adapt many of these to publicize your events and programs that relate to the national events. See the calendar links below for details on how to request or download materials.
  • Many worksites plan their wellness events around national health observances, such as National Breast Cancer Awareness month in October. It may be easier to schedule your program if it ties into something else that is being planned. For example, highlight how physical activity and good nutrition habits can reduce the risk of some cancers, and offer an Active Living Every Day or Healthy Eating Every Day information session at a worksite or hospital in October.
  • Team up with other organizations or businesses in your community who are celebrating an event. Partnering can increase your marketing power and reach. Ask a local grocery store to provide samples at your event promoting healthy eating habits, or get free samples or passes from a sporting goods store or fitness facility to give away when you conduct Active Living Every Day–focused health fairs in the community.

To learn more

Active Living Partners program providers receive extensive guidance in promoting Active Living Every Day and Healthy Eating Every Day. Providers learn about various avenues of promotion throughout their training and as part of their consultative support from Active Living Partners. For more ideas, see the Active Living Every Day or Healthy Eating Every Day facilitator guides, particularly the sections on marketing and promotion.

To find out more about Active Living Partners, call 800-747-4457 ext 2226, send an e-mail to michelleo@hkusa.com, or visit our Web site at www.ActiveLiving.info. For a complete list of national health events and observances, see the links below.



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