In 2001, the National Blueprint: Increasing Physical Activity Among Adults Aged 50 and Older was developed by a coalition of national organizations to serve as a guide for multiple organizations, associations, and agencies to inform and support their planning work related to increasing physical activity among America's aging population.

The document's first section provides background on the physical activity and health of Americans age 50 and older. The second section addresses the barriers to increasing physical activity among the aging population. It outlines suggested strategies related to research, home and community, workplace, medical systems, public policy and advocacy, and crosscutting issues to overcome these barriers.

In addition to the sections on blueprint overview, strategic priorities for increasing physical activity, blueprint mini-grants, news and developments, and publications information, the Blueprint Web site (http://www.ncpad.org/666/2808/2003-06-01) lists 18 high-priority strategies, as well as the 20 winning programs for the recent Blueprint Mini-Grant Program, which provided $25,000 to award community organizations/coalitions with physical activity interventions for adults age 50+.

The National Blueprint Office can provide technical assistance and help to establish partnerships among organizations. If your organization is actively involved in projects or programs that address barriers to physical activity and are related to the 18 key strategies outlined in the Conference Summary Report, contact the National Blueprint Office at T: 217-244-7122 or e-mail: blueprint@kines.uiuc.edu.