Make physical activity a patient “vital sign” that all health care providers assess and discuss with their patients.
TACTICS
- Ensure that all health care professional organizations encourage their members to assess patients’ physical activity and discuss ways to make progress toward meeting the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
- Include fields for tracking patients’ physical activity in electronic medical records and electronic health records.
- Develop a Healthcare Effectiveness and Data Information Set (HEDIS) measure for physical activity.
- Encourage health care professionals to be role models for active lifestyles for patients.
