Boston, MA — February 27, 2024— IHRSA—the Health & Fitness Association, a global community of industry leaders—is thrilled to announce its partnership with the White House to promote the importance of physical activity for both physical and mental health across the United States.
IHRSA was accepted as a partner in the White House initiative Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities.
As part of this groundbreaking collaboration, IHRSA will spearhead a series of initiatives aimed at increasing participation in physical activity and highlighting the role of fitness facilities in supporting healthy lifestyles. These efforts will be showcased through a range of events and programs held in communities nationwide.
"Our partnership with the White House signifies a pivotal moment in our ongoing commitment to promote physical activity as a cornerstone of overall health and wellness," said IHRSA President & CEO Liz Clark. "We are excited to work together to showcase the incredible impact of physical activity on both physical and mental health, while spotlighting the diverse and vibrant health and fitness options offered by IHRSA members across the nation."
IHRSA’s participation in the initiative will be showcased along with other new partners at 11 a.m. Eastern Time on February 27 during a celebration at the White House. Liz will be in attendance with Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, and President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition co-chairs Chef José Andrés and Elena Delle Donne.
The event will be live streamed here.
The initiative will launch a series of "Get Active" events aimed at engaging communities with disproportionately high rates of inactivity and preventable diseases. These events will include demonstrations, classes, and educational sessions highlighting the various benefits of regular physical activity. They will also foster partnerships among policymakers, fitness professionals, educators, and local communities to encourage sustainable lifestyle changes.
Collaborating directly with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Biden Administration, and a broad array of industry partners and friends, these events will prioritize communities grappling with high rates of inactivity, obesity, diabetes, and chronic diseases, as well as vulnerable demographic groups. The goal is to significantly increase the percentage of Americans meeting the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans by 2030.
"IHRSA is proud to align with the White House in our shared mission to increase physical activity and educate Americans on the positive impacts it has on mental and physical health," added IHRSA Vice President of Government Affairs Mike Goscinski. "Through this commitment, our aim is not only to underscore the criticality of physical activity but also to empower individuals and communities to prioritize their health and fitness by showcasing the array of options available within their communities."
The partnership between IHRSA and the White House represents a significant step forward in promoting physical activity as a key component of a healthy lifestyle by the highest level of government in the United States.
Background:
In March 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities. The Challenge was a nationwide call to action to stakeholders across all of society to make bold commitments to advance President Biden’s goal to end hunger and reduce diet-related diseases by 2030—all while reducing disparities. The Challenge built on the historic White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health hosted by President Biden in September 2022 where the president released a National Strategy and announced over $8 billion of external commitments to achieve his bold goal.
About IHRSA
IHRSA—the Health & Fitness Association, a global community of industry leaders—is a not-for-profit trade association representing the global fitness industry of over 200,000 health and fitness facilities and their suppliers. Founded in 1981, IHRSA maintains a leadership role in advancing physical activity, which is critical for peak health and to fight the battle against obesity and chronic lifestyle diseases.
As the world's leading authority on the commercial health and fitness club industry, IHRSA’s mission is to grow, promote, and protect the health and fitness industry, while providing its members with benefits and resources. IHRSA is the publisher of Club Business International, the leading monthly magazine for the global fitness industry. IHRSA's Convention & Trade Show will be hosted March 6-8, 2024, in Los Angeles.
