Stand Tall America
The “Straight” and Narrow Path to Congress
By Andrea Lange
It started a year ago, with a simple concept—using exercise to prevent
spinal health problems. The brainchild of Dr. Ron Kirk, a professor of health
promotion at Life University, and four other health experts, this basic idea
has grown into a public health initiative called Straighten Up America.
As it has grown, Straighten Up America has gained the support and respect of
various individuals in the health and chiropractic communities, including Lee
Haney, former chairman of the Presidents Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
and then Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson.
Now Straighten Up America has a shot at national attention and congressional
funding, thanks to the help of advocacy group Valis Associates. Valis approached
Dr. Kirk because they were so impressed with the program and it’s goals
and wanted to help lobby for Congressional funding.
Together, they will present the program to Congress this summer with a Congressional
“Straighten Up America” Day, featuring program demonstrations for
members of Congress and staff. They hope to obtain funding for an official program
and launch as well as annual funding for the program.
What is Straighten Up America?
Straighten Up America is a spinal health program designed to promote daily commitment
to spinal health. At the core of the program is a three-minute set of simple
spinal exercises. “We envision people doing these activities everyday,
like they brush their teeth,” Dr. Kirk says.
The program also includes a short set of healthy lifestyle recommendations that
fit with the goals of “Healthy People 2010,” “America on the
Move,” “Steps to a Healthier U.S.” and the “5 A Day”
programs.
Straighten Up America wants to empower chiropractors across the country to go
out into their communities and teach the program at schools, senior centers
and corporations. They hope to teach Americans of all sizes, ages and racial
and ethnic backgrounds positive spinal health habits. However, the program will
target children, to establish good habits at an early age.
How Did it Begin?
The idea for the program came from Dr. Kirk and his colleagues’ realization
that, in general, chiropractors taught patients spinal exercises as treatment
or therapy, not for general health or disease prevention. “Multi-billions
of dollars are spent each year on treatment for spinal disabilities and diseases,
but many of them can be prevented by simple exercises,” Dr. Kirk explains.
The program prototype was developed by Dr. Kirk, M.A., D.C. former Dean of the
College of Chiropractic at Life University, and a five-person seed panel that
includes author Meridel Gatterman, D.C, John Highland, the chair of the chiropractic
chapter of the American Public Health Association, William Morgan, the chair
of the chiropractic department at the National Naval Medical Center and Peter
Gratale, a sports chiropractor formally on ESPN’s “Body Shaping.”
After it’s initial creation, a 120-person Delphi panel was formed to review
and contribute to the program. Delphi panels are research tools that use a large
group of experts to achieve a professional consensus on an event, product or
trend in their field. This Delphi panel is composed of chiropractic organization
leaders, chiropractic college presidents, clinic directors, health and fitness
experts and officials from the World Health Organization, including Dr. Jose
Carlos Martines, the Director of the Child and Adolescent Health and Development
Cluster at WHO. Kirk facilitates both the seed and Delphi panels.
How Will it Benefit Chiropractors and the Community?
The goal of Straighten Up America is to promote spinal health and prevent injuries
and disease, bringing daily chiropractic care into the lives of millions of
Americans. However, if the program receives the congressional support it seeks,
there would be many other benefits for the chiropractic and general communities.
Government backing would give both the industry and individual doctors increased
respect in medicals fields and the community at large. “With Congressional
endorsement of the initiative, the profession’s cultural authority and
degree of entree into many public venues will be dramatically enhanced,”
Dr. Kirk says. “This should attract more patients to chiropractic.”
By teaching the exercises, Chiropractors not only help their patients, they
potentially increase the demand for chiropractic care. “Empowered, healthy
patients will refer others to the doctor, who has adjusted, served, taught and
empowered them,” Dr. Kirk explains.
Teaching the program in a community also gives that doctor a chance to reach
out to the community. “Chiropractors who [teach] the Straighten Up America
exercises and lifestyle recommendations, increase their connectivity and visibility
within their communities,” Dr. Kirk says. “They will build their
practice base as a consequence of serving the public.”
Want to Get Involved?
Chiropractors who want to teach Straighten Up America can access a PowerPoint
and PDF version of the program and other program tools and information at www.life.edu.
An animated cartoon and promotional and instructional DVDs will also be available
soon. Most materials can be used free of charge.
You can also support Straighten Up America and their Congressional campaign
with a monetary donation. Checks can be made out to Life University-Straighten
Up America. VISA, Master Card or American Express are also accepted. For more
information, you may call or email Dr. Kirk at (770) 426-2709 or rkirk@life.edu.
Provide your feedback on this
article.
© Copyright 2005 Today's Chiropractic