Tomorrow's leaders in health promotion are being educated at American University today.

 

The National Center for Health Fitness Mission Statement

In the summer of 1979, the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at American University, proposed establishing the National Center for Health Fitness. At the time of its charter in January of 1980, the central purpose of NCHF was to provide leadership for the nation in the area of health risk identification, and lifestyle improvement. As stated in the organizational mission of NCHF, it seeks to stay abreast of the growing and changing needs of the health fitness industry and profession, to stay at the forefront of the nation's health fitness issues, and to maintain the NCHF's established leadership position as the premier health fitness academic center. In the pursuit of its goal, the NCHF has made significant advancements in health promotion through educational programs, health promotion programming, research and program evaluation, and community service.

Over the last 21 years, the NCHF has become recognized as an authority in development and provision of state-of-the-art services, training, and expertise. As a result of this reputation, the expertise of the NCHF is now sought nationally and internationally.

Dr. Robert Karch, the executive director of NCHF, has lectured and served as a consultant to individuals and organizations throughout Eastern and Western Europe, South America, and the Far and Middle East.

During the past five and one-half years, the NCHF has devoted considerable resources to research and program development for underserved populations. Research indicates that culturally appropriate preventative health programs are not often available to emerging nations and citizens of lower socioeconomic classes, yet they are often in the greatest need and show the most dramatic changes when provided with health promotion services. The NCHF model which is holistic, comprehensive, preventative, and culturally sensitive, will serve as the basis for programs offered through the IIHP and other programs..
Last Updated: September 11, 2002