Physical activity and physical fitness are closely linked—that is, a measure of an individual's habitual level of physical activity including exercise is closely correlated to his or her level of physical fitness. A new APTA podcast focuses on screening for inactivity. The podcast distinguishes between physical activity and physical fitness, explains the use of physical activity to screen for issues of impaired physical fitness, and provides information on what to do with the results of the screen. It also gives examples illustrating various types of patients and the role that physical activity plays in their overall health. 

This new podcast is part of a web presence titled "Vital Signs and Other Patient Screenings" and is included in a series of podcasts titled "Extracting Hidden Gems from Simple Clinical Measures." This podcast combined with part 1 and part 2 of the podcast series "Inactivity: An Epidemic," available at www.apta.org/PreventionWellness, explains why information about physical activity is valuable, how to gather the data, and what to do with the data based on the different results obtained.

APTA podcasts are prerecorded discussions and interviews, not live events. Members can listen to podcasts at their convenience by clicking on the links provided in News Now articles, visiting www.apta.org/podcasts/, or subscribing to APTA podcasts on iTunes.

Providers can dramatically improve American health care by focusing on value instead of volume, eliminating wasteful and inappropriate care, applying the best available evidence to practice, enhancing patient safety, and strengthening primary care, says RAND Health in 1 of 4 new research briefs dedicated to flattening the trajectory of health care spending.

In this new series, RAND outlines 4 broad strategies for constraining spending growth without compromising quality in the nation's market-oriented health care system: foster efficient and accountable providers, engage and empower consumers, promote population health, and facilitate high-value innovation.

Learn more about RAND's proposals to make public reports more meaningful to consumers, encourage health at the local level, promote high-value innovation, and read key findings, by clicking on the briefs at the bottom of the tabbed topics areas.