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About Exercise is Medicine
A Global Health Initiative
In 2007, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Medical Association (AMA) co-launched Exercise is Medicine® (EIM) –a United States-based health initiative that has since been coordinated by ACSM. The purpose of EIM is to make physical activity assessment and promotion a standard in clinical care, connecting health care with evidence-based physical activity resources for people everywhere of all abilities. The scientifically proven benefits of physical activity remain indisputable, and they can be as powerful as any pharmaceutical in preventing and treating a range of chronic diseases and medical conditions.
Within two years of EIM's launch, representatives from international public health, medical and scientific associations asked ACSM to expand its initial scope beyond the United States and begin a multinational collaboration. EIM now exists in 40 countries across the globe.
The vision of EIM is to:
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Have health care providers assess every patient's level of physical activity at every clinic visit;
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Determine if the patient is meeting the U.S. National Physical Activity Guidelines;
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Provide patients with brief counseling advice to help him/her meet the guidelines; and/or
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Refer the patient to either health care or community-based resources for further physical activity (PA) counseling and guidance.