What is National Women’s Health & Fitness Day?

Women’s Health & Fitness Day is the nation’s largest annual health promotion event for women of all ages. The next event is set for Wednesday, September 24, 2008, and in future years, will always be held on the last Wednesday in September. This unique national program — with participation by local organizations throughout the U.S. — focuses attention on the importance of regular physical activity and health awareness for women. The event is similar in concept to its “sister” event — National Senior Health & Fitness Day — the nation’s largest older adult health promotion program held every May. Women’s Health & Fitness Day will also be part of a new National Women’s Health & Fitness Week, to be held annually the last week in September.

On Wednesday, September 24, 2008, hundreds of local organizations throughout the country will host women’s health and fitness events at hospitals, health clubs, park and recreation districts, local health and service organizations, schools, retirement communities, houses of worship, senior centers, and other community locations. An estimated 40,000 to 50,000 women are expected to participate in these local activities.

What Will Women Do at These Local Events?

Local health and fitness activities will vary widely based on the organizations hosting the events and the interests of local women in these communities. Activities will be noncompetitive and may include walking events, exercise demonstrations, health screenings, and health information workshops.

How Can Local Organizations Participate in National Women’s Health & Fitness Day?

All local groups interested in hosting a Women’s Health & Fitness Day event must register to be an official host site and legally use the event name and logo. The event registration fee is $29.95 plus shipping, and includes the official Women’s Health & Fitness Day Program Manual — an easy to use resource guide that has everything a local organization needs to plan a successful Women’s Health & Fitness Day event.

The registration fee also includes an official 2008 Women’s Day T-shirt, event poster and sample incentive items. There will also be a special toll-free number for local organizations to call for free consulting help with event planning.

Why Have a National Women’s Health & Fitness Day?

The goal of this event is to encourage women to take control of their health: to learn the facts they need to make smart health choices, and to make time for regular physical activity.

Because of its grassroots nature, the event provides an excellent opportunity for local organizations to showcase the health-related programs and services they offer to women in their communities.

Who Organizes This New Event?

National Women’s Health & Fitness Day is a public/private good health partnership organized by the Health Information Resource Center (HIRC)sm, a national clearinghouse for consumer health information professionals. The HIRC’s “sister” organization, the Mature Market Resource Center, is the official organizer of National Senior Health & Fitness Day — the nation’s largest older adult health promotion event — which is always held the last Wednesday in May.

The HIRC staff will coordinate all Women’s Health & Fitness Day host site registrations along with the sales and distribution of event incentive items and samples/information from our national and state/local event sponsors.

Other HIRC programs include Family Health & Fitness Day USAsm; the National Health Information Awardssm; the World Wide Web Health Awardssm; and the healthprograms.com Web site.

If My Organization Decides to Participate in Women’s Health & Fitness Day, Must I Have the Event on Wednesday, September 24?

Since much of the national and local media coverage will focus on Women’s Health & Fitness Day events on Wednesday, September 24, 2008, we would prefer — but we do not require — that you hold your event that day. Because Women’s Health & Fitness Day is also part of the new National Women’s Health & Fitness Week, you have the option of holding your Women’s Day event during the last week in September, 2008. (Please note that none of the Women’s Health & Fitness official incentive items — T-shirts, balloons, posters, etc. — will have the Wednesday, September 24, 2008 date printed on them.)

2008 Women’s Health & Fitness Day Theme Contest

Every spring, a contest is held to select a theme for the annual Women’s Day event. The 2007 Women’s Day theme was “Make Fitness a Healthy Habit!” The 2008 theme will be announced in mid-summer, 2008. Contact Tina Godin with contest inquiries at
1-800-828-8225. The 2005 Women's Day theme was “Fitness…Choose it for Life!” Each year's winning theme is featured on selected Women's Day event incentive items. Click here for more information on submitting your theme idea.

Questions About National Women’s Health & Fitness Day?

Please contact Tina Godin, program manager, National Women’s Health & Fitness Day, 1-800-828-8225, weekdays 8-6 Central time. (After hours, please use our voice mail.) E-mail: info@fitnessday.com

Here Are Just a Few of the Many Types of Local Organizations Planning to Host National Women’s Health & Fitness Day Events. Call 1-800-828-8225 For Details on Hosting Your Own Local Event!