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Sustained Commitment and Collaboration Needed to Make Worldwide Public Health Gains

Sustained Commitment and Collaboration Needed to Make Worldwide Public Health Gains

Published 06-07-04

Submitted by Nike Inc.

BEAVERTON, OR - The World Health Organization (WHO), in its May 22, 2004 release of a Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, issued a call for sustained commitment and collaboration among individuals, communities and nations to improve worldwide public health. The strategy accepted by Member states at the annual World Health Assembly in Geneva, recommends governments, international partners, civil society and nongovernmental organizations play a role in influencing individual behavior and the entities involved in healthy diet and physical activity.

The report stresses physical activity is a "fundamental means of improving physical and mental health of individuals." It specifically recommends sporting goods manufacturers promote physical activity and assist in the development and implementation of physical activity programs.

"Nike applauds the WHO's recommendations on physical activity and pledges our continued support to get kids active," said Mark Parker, President, Nike Brand. "The WHO's global strategy reinforces the importance of physical activity and the need for physical education requirements in schools. With global attention focused on this important health issue, there is a window of opportunity for companies such as Nike to help educate the public on the importance of physical activity for kids of all ages."

Over the past several years, Nike has increased its support for physical activity programs for kids around the world. "In the United States and Australia, NikeGO was designed to help combat national epidemics of youth inactivity. We partnered with SPARK to develop PE2GO, a program designed to increase the quality and quantity of physical education programs in U.S. schools," said Maria Eitel, Nike Vice President and Senior Advisor of Corporate Responsibility. "Nike's Move & Include program in Europe uses sports and physical activity to nurture social cohesion, working with nongovernmental partners to provide opportunities for disadvantaged youth. These are just a few of the global initiatives that Nike has underway. We will continue to look for opportunities to support the goals and recommendations of the WHO strategy."

About Nike's Commitment to Youth Physical Activity
Nike recognizes that facilitating greater physical activity among young people is an effort that is about more than just sport. It is about creating partnerships and programs around the world that provide access and challenge individuals to change their lifestyles. Nike is committed to increasing the participation of young people in physical activity around the world as a means to improve their lives, both in terms of health and self-esteem. For more information about Nike's efforts, please visit www.nikeresponsibility.com.

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Nike Inc.

Nike Inc.

NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly-owned NIKE subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes surf and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, visit www.nikeinc.com.

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