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Active People, Healthy CharlotteSM


The Centers for Diesase Control and Prevention (CDC) invites the general public, organizations, and leaders to join Active People, Healthy NationSM. This multisector initiative aims to help 27 million Americans become more active by 2027 through scientifically- credible strategies that work. The initiative is based on a foundation of inclusion and health equity where physical activity is a universal social norm regardless of age, race, income, socio-economic status, disability status, and geographic location. To find out more information about Active People, Healthy NationSM, click here.

To learn more about how you can become part of the Active People, Healthy Nation movementSM, click here.

  • More than 15% of adults in every state are inactive.
  • In the majority of locations examined, non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics had a significantly higher prevalence of inactivity than non-Hispanic whites.
  • By region, the South had the highest prevalence of physical inactivity (28%), followed by the Northeast (25.6%), Midwest (25.0%), and the West (20.5%).
  • In seven states and two territories (Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Tennessee, Puerto Rico, and Guam), 30% or more of adults were physically inactive.
For map and data findings, click here.

Benefits of physical activity:

  • Being physically active is one of the most important actions that people of all ages can take to improve their health. 
  • Increased physical activity can reduce the risk of more than 20 chronic diseases and conditions including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, some types of cancer, and depression.  
  • Some health benefits start immediately after activity, and even short episodes of physical activity are beneficial. Physical activity can boost your mood, sharpen your focus, reduce stress, and improve sleep.
  • Regular physical activity can also help manage weight.

What are the benefits of complete streets?

Complete Streets help create livable communities especially for the most vulnerable people who use our streets, including children, people living with disabilities, older adults, and people who cannot afford or do not have access to a car. Complete Streets improve equity, safety, and public health, while reducing transportation costs and traffic woes.  Watch the webinar or read the case study to learn more about the benefits of Complete Streets.

Uptown Bike Lanes are Now Open!

Picture: Sustain Charlotte’s Executive Director, Shannon Binns (far right) joined City leaders in the ribbon-cutting of the new protected bike lanes in Uptown Charlotte.

The new Uptown CycleLink protected bike lane spanning all of uptown Charlotte that Sustain Charlotte and supportive residents asked the City to build five years ago is now officially open!  The opening of the bike lanes represents a small, but significant step in unlocking a larger network of protected bike lanes that are convenient safe, inexpensive, healthy and fun for people of all ages and ability levels. Sustain Charlotte is working with residents throughout Charlotte to ensure that safe routes for walking and biking will be available in every neighborhood.

When residents are able to choose walking or biking instead of driving for short distances, they can enjoy many benefits both individually and collectively. The most obvious benefit is that walking and bike riding directly supports our physical and mental health. Less driving results in fewer vehicle emissions that contribute to air pollution, which disproportionately affects children and older adults with pre-existing health conditions. As gas prices skyrocket, active forms of transportation can help residents save money to spend on other needs. Traveling in active ways helps neighbors to meet each other on a “human scale” outside of a car, which supports community connectivity and helps neighbors meet each other in natural encounters on a regular basis.