Support Family Activity for Improved Health

Adopted at the 89th Annual Meeting in 2021

  • WHEREAS, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that $117 billion in annual healthcare spending is associated with inactivity: CDC Chronic Disease Costs; and

    WHEREAS,72 percent of parents believe inability to play sports has caused their children stress or anxiety: ASU Global Sport Institute; and

    WHEREAS, hospitalizations at pediatric hospitals related to suicide attempts rose nearly 20 percent in 2020, while disruptive behavior disorders jumped more than 40 percent: CHA Press Release Health Crisis in Children; and

    WHEREAS, interest in sports participation has declined by 50 percent among children: Aspen Institute Project Play Trends; and

    WHEREAS, activity through sports encourages health awareness and reduces tobacco, drug & alcohol abuse: Commonwealth Fund Advancing Sport; and

    WHEREAS, regular exercise provides important physical and mental health benefits for those suffering from chronic health conditions including but not limited to heart disease, type II diabetes, arthritis, asthma, obesity, certain cancers, dementia and Alzheimer's: CDC Disability and Health; and

    WHEREAS, more than 95 million Americans have access to pre-tax medical accounts: Aite Group 2018,

    NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, to promote health throughout America, The United States Conference of Mayors urges the U.S. Congress to pass the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act to help families with healthy lifestyle expenses by allowing use of funds in pre-tax medical accounts to pay for youth sports and other family activity expenses to lower the incidence of chronic diseases in our communities.
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