News & Updates
NIHB LAUNCHED ITS NEW GO THE EXTRA MILE INITIATIVE
Tribal organizations are encouraged to join NIHB on this journey.
Last week, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) launched its new GO the EXTRA MILE initiative. November 1st also marked the first day of both the American Indian Heritage Month and Diabetes Awareness Month. NIHB staff, along with staff from the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH), the Center for Native American Youth, Strategies to Overcome and Prevent (S.T.O.P.) Obesity Alliance, and the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity (NCPPA), gathered in front of the National Museum of the American Indian, in Washington D.C. at 8: 00 AM EST to inaugurate the GO the EXTRA MILE initiative.
Before NIHB’s Executive Director, Stacy A. Bohlen, Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa, led the group on a mile walk around the National Mall, two prominent guests presented to the group. Scott Kahan, MD, Director for S.T.O.P Obesity Alliance, declared physical exercise as an effective preventive measure against acquiring diabetes and obesity, and Melissa Merson, Executive Director for NCPPA, explained how Executive Directors’ commitments to physical activity can inspire their employees to become more active. Because American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) have the highest age-adjusted prevalence of Type 2 diabetes among all U.S. racial and ethnic groups and an obesity rate of 39% for those 18 and older, NIHB’s goal is to encourage Tribal organizations to lead their employees to better health by fighting these chronic diseases through exercise. Just 30 minutes a day of moderate physical activity can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58% in people at risk. Ms. Bohlen quoted “NIHB’s GO the EXTRA MILE is one small step toward supporting diabetes and obesity prevention for AI/AN.”
The GO the EXTRA MILE initiative aims to create a healthier work environment by encouraging staff to walk an extra mile each day for a year. This initiative is a result of the NIHB signing the CEO pledge, which is part of a national campaign to encourage Executive Directors to commit to supporting a physically-active workplace. NIHB’s GO the EXTRA MILE initiative achieves these goals by creating a workplace that supports physical activity for every member of its staff by providing 30 minutes during the work day to walk their mile. With these aggregated miles, NIHB will “virtually” walk to each of the 12 Indian Health Service Areas, either to an Area Indian Health Board or to a Tribal Partner in Areas that do not have a Board. For more information about the CEO Pledge and to join the GO the EXTRA MILE initiative with NIHB, visit http://www.nihb.org/extra_mile/.
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NIHB’s GO the EXTRA MILE initiative is highlighted on the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Be Active Your Way Blog!
CLICK HERE to read article.
NIHB’s GO the EXTRA MILE Kickoff Launch!
In honor of the National Diabetes Awareness and Native American Heritage Month, the National Indian Health Board is launching its GO the EXTRA MILE initiative on November 1st, 2012 at 8:00 am in front of the National Museum of American Indians in Washington, D.C.
Come join NIHB as we walk our first mile!