Go4Life national launch

Jennie and I were thrilled to attend a Senate briefing that addressed exercise for an aging population, and to witness the official launch of the Go4Life campaign. We have been working for over a year with the National Institute on Aging (NIA) designing, developing and testing the campaign, which is a new model for active aging supported by evidence-based research. Working on Go4Life has been very gratifying, because it is such a great opportunity to actually influence and positively affect people’s lives. The briefing, which was held in the Hart Senate building, was hosted by Senator Herb Kohl, D-WI, Chair of the Senate Special Committee on Aging and Senator Mark Udall, D-CO, Senate Special Committee on Aging.

Richard, J. Hodes, M.D., director of NIA summed it up. "Go4Life is based on studies demonstrating the benefits of exercise and physical activity for older people, including those with chronic health conditions. You are never too old to increase your level of physical activity and exercise.” Public-private partnerships are central to the campaign. At launch time over 50 organizations have agreed to work with the Go4Life team to bring the campaign into communities across the U.S. The American Medical Association, Easter Seals, YMCA, the National Recreation and Park Association, and the International Council on Active Aging are just a few of the many partners.

In her remarks, U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, M.D., M.B.A. said, "If we want to become a healthy and fit nation, we need to increase the number of Americans who are healthy at every stage of life. Go4Life provides older adults with the tools and resources to get moving and keep moving."

This launch marked the culmination of our work on everything related to the campaign—the name and trademark, a comprehensive interactive and motivational website, tip sheets, posters, exercise booklets and other promotional materials. It was exciting to see it all come together. And, in this very serious setting, it was hilarious to see the entire audience doing leg lifts, chair squats and overhead arm presses! 

—Monica