[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 26 (Monday, July 1, 2002)]
[Pages 1078-1079]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address

June 22, 2002

    Good morning. Earlier today, the First Lady and I joined the White 
House staff for the inaugural Presidential Fitness Challenge Run and 
Walk. Every participant took important steps on the road to better 
health, and runners and walkers volunteered to perform community service 
or contribute to charities.
    The Fitness Challenge is part of a larger initiative I launched this 
week to help Americans live longer, better, and healthier lives. And the 
good news is this: When it comes to your health, even little steps can 
make a big difference. If just 10 percent of adults began walking 
regularly, Americans could save $5.6 billion in costs related to heart 
disease. And research suggests that we can reduce cancer deaths by one-
third simply by changing our diets and getting more exercise.
    The title of our new health and fitness initiative says it all, 
HealthierUS. It is based on four guideposts to good health. First, be 
physically active every day. Second, develop good eating habits. Third, 
take advantage of preventative screenings. Fourth, don't smoke, don't do 
drugs, and don't drink excessively. These four simple measures will help 
all Americans get healthier and stronger.
    First, be physically active every day. A report released this week 
by the Department of Health and Human Services confirms that almost 40 
percent of adults get no leisure time physical activity. This lack of 
activity can lead to poor health and higher health care costs. Americans 
who are obese spend approximately 36 percent more on health care 
services than the general population. They spend 77 percent more on 
medications.
    Here are some simple suggestions to help Americans get active. 
Walking 30 minutes a day can improve your health. Playing a game in the 
backyard will help parents and children get fit and spend some quality 
time with each other. And regularly hiking through a park can add years 
to your life. This weekend,

[[Page 1079]]

the Federal Government is waiving all entrance fees to national parks 
and other Federal lands, so you can exercise while exploring America's 
natural beauty. Exercise is a daily part of my life, and I urge all 
Americans to make it an important part of your lives.
    Second, eat a nutritious diet. That means eating fruits and 
vegetables and cutting back on fatty foods. If you try your best to 
achieve these goals, you will be on the road to healthier living, and 
you'll have a lot more energy for your 30-minute walk.
    Third, get preventative screenings, simple tests that can tell you 
if you're prone to developing certain diseases such as diabetes and 
cancer and heart disease. By acting on that information, you can help 
prevent a potentially life-threatening illness.
    Fourth, cut out tobacco, drugs, and excessive drinking. Tobacco use 
is the single most preventable cause of death and disease in America. 
Drug and alcohol abuse destroys lives and families and communities. 
Avoiding tobacco, drugs, and excessive alcohol can save your life.
    This initiative is part of my administration's ongoing commitment to 
raising awareness about the benefits of exercise and healthy choices. 
Our message is simple but important. The doctors in America should talk 
to your patients about the value of exercise and healthy eating. Parents 
should make sure your children get plenty of exercise and good nutrition 
and make smart decisions. By making minor changes to our lives, we will 
build a healthier and stronger America.
    Thank you for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 1:16 p.m. on June 20 in the Cabinet 
Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on June 22. The 
transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
June 21 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office of 
the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this 
address.