The ‘Turning the Tide of Inactivity’ report highlights the complexity and breadth of the physical inactivity challenge, which has to be a central platform of public health efforts. It’s been followed by a national cross-government commitment – through the new ‘Moving More, Living More’ campaign – to go further and faster on increasing physical activity.
Physical activity is undertaken across communities in a range of ways, from walking and cycling, through fitness, leisure and play to structured amateur and elite sport.
We need to embrace and support this diversity through cross-sector collaboration. PHE is partnering with national and local organisations to reduce levels of physical inactivity and the associated health, economic and social burden on local communities.
Local government can develop and lead the approach across communities to reduce physical inactivity. Health clubs and leisure centres can be the leaders of the movement to promote active lifestyles and embed activity into daily lives. There has to be a shared responsibility to drive the active agenda forward; I believe everyone can play their part.
Public Health England is leading the development of a National Implementation Framework for Physical Activity in England, which is drawing together evidence and case studies from across the country to help develop a tool that can truly deliver this whole system approach. People and organisations can input to the framework by emailing [email protected], and we will also be working with ukactive to deliver a series of regional events during May and June to engage with local stakeholders.
I’m passionate about making a difference to people’s lives by making the public healthier. ‘Turning the Tide of Inactivity’ has revealed the evidence and allowed us to understand the scale of the problem. To move forward, we need to use the case studies within the report and other examples of best practice to implement practical ways of making a difference.