IHRSA Foundation’s ACCESS Health Initiative Programs Set to Launch as ihrsafoundation.org Debuts
Posted: February 1, 2017 in IHRSA
The IHRSA Foundation
BOSTON, MA – The IHRSA Foundation announced that 2017 will see the launch of five ACCESS Health pilot programs in IHRSA clubs, from California to New York.
The ACCESS Health Initiative is the IHRSA Foundation’s five-year strategic effort to remove barriers to physical activity for people with chronic conditions through participant-focused, multi-dimensional wellness programs.
One such program, funded by the IHRSA Foundation and the American Council on Exercise (ACE), is a pilot to serve cancer patients in San Diego area health clubs.
In addition, the IHRSA Foundation is also addressing the needs of people with disabilities. Four such pilot programs will be conducted at Newtown Athletic Club, Pennsylvania; ACAC Timonium, Maryland; ACAC Charlottesville, Virginia; and Clubfit Briarcliff, New York with the support of the IHRSA Foundation, ACE, and the Universal Fitness Innovation & Transformation (UFIT) team. UFIT is a global social change movement whose goal is to increase fitness opportunities for all, but for people with disabilities, in particular.
To support the above initiatives, the IHRSA Foundation also launched its inaugural website: ihrsafoundation.org. “We are delighted to have this new platform to showcase the great work being done through the IHRSA Foundation’s ACCESS Health Initiative to improve people’s lives through physical activity,” said Joe Moore, IHRSA’s president and CEO.
On ihrsafoundation.org, anyone may easily make a donation to support the IHRSA Foundation’s charitable initiatives. A goal has been set to raise $20,000 as part of the initial campaign. In addition, the newly released IHRSA Exclusive Member Content app and upcoming IHRSA 2017 app will link to ihrsafoundation.org.
The launch of ihrsafoundation.org comes as the global fitness industry prepares to descend on Los Angeles on March 8-11 for IHRSA 2017, the association’s 36th annual International Convention & Trade Show. More than 12,000 industry leaders and fitness professionals from more than 70 countries are expected to attend.
The IHRSA Foundation will also have increased exposure at this year’s event. “To date, the Foundation’s work has been behind the scenes laying the groundwork for the ACCESS Health programs,” Moore said. “Now that the pilot programs have begun, ihrsafoundation.org will help us to get the word out, and of course, assist in raising needed funds for additional programs,” he added. “You could say that IHRSA 2017 will be the Foundation’s coming out party!”
For IHRSA members who would like to learn more about partnering with the IHRSA Foundation in a pilot program—be it cancer, chronic disease prevention or inclusive fitness, please contact Amy Bantham, IHRSA’s Vice President of Health Promotion and Health Policy, at aeb@ihrsa.org.
