No.44 May 2005 |
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The recommendation for a Global Annual Move for Health day / initiative
was made by the 55th World Health Assembly (May 2002) which "Urges
Member States to celebrate a Move for Health day each year to promote
physical activity as essential for health and wellbeing" (Resolution
WHA55.23 on Diet, Physical Activity and Health). This is particularly
important as physical activity is shown to provide multiple health
(physical, mental), social and economic benefits and as over 60% of
the world population do not achieve the minimum recommendation of
30 minutes moderate intensity physical activity daily.
The Global Annual Move for Health Day/Initiative in WHO Member States
is performed in the context of
Physical Inactivity is estimated to cause annually
2 million deaths worldwide. It is also considered as a significant common
and preventable risk factor for chronic noncommunicable diseases, that
accounts for 60% of global deaths and 47% of burden of disease, along
with other risk factors especially high blood pressure, tobacco use,
high cholesterol, low consumption of fruits and vegetables and obesity
(World Health Report 2002).
The Global Annual Move for Health Day/Initiative
is essentially an advocacy and partnership-based event. It aims in particular
at promoting sustained national and local physical activity initiatives,
policies and programmes and at increasing regular participation in physical
activity of various population groups, men and women, of all ages and
conditions, in all domains (leisure time, transport, work) and settings
(school, community, home, workplace).
The Initiative is primarily the responsibility
of countries with involvement of all relevant actors and sectors. It
is not a WHO official day as World Health Day (7 April), No Tobacco
Day (31 May) and AIDS Day (01 December). WHO is providing electronic
support, especially through the website "http://www.who.int/moveforhealth/en/"
so the event can be organized in as many countries and communities as
possible at a date and duration of their choice, although a number of
countries and partners agreed to organize it annually on May 10 or around
that date. The website contains information on and linkages to initiatives
related to 2005 theme "supportive environments" by a number
of countries and partners, including UN family and non governmental
organizations:
http://www.who.int/moveforhealth/countries/en/ A yearly theme is suggested as a focus of attention
within the overall goal of promoting physical activity among all population
groups. In 2004 the focus was on Active youth. In 2005, special attention
is given to the theme "Supportive Environments" (physical,
social, cultural, economic....environments) as enough evidence compiled
shows that physical activity-friendly environments encourage more people
engage/participate in physical activity and achieve the recommended
30 minutes each day of moderately intense physical activity. Such activity-friendly
environment can foster opportunities for all to make enjoyable, easy
and safe physical activity part of daily living within a sense of peer
and community spirit.
National and Local / Municipal authorities and
leaders have a key role to play in shaping the physical and social environments
that would enable increased population participation in appropriate
physical activity and sport for all. This is a sustained collective
endeavour requiring the involvement and commitment of all relevant sectors
and actors, including the sectors of health, sport, education, media,
culture, transport, local government/municipalities, economic planning
as well as related non-governmental organizations and relevant businesses.
Sound policies and legislations are essential for reaching that goal.
As 2005 has been proclaimed by the 58th UN General
Assembly (Nov 2003) the International Year of Sport and Physical Education,
all 2005 move for health actions at all levels can also be undertaken
in the framework of this International Year (Re 58th UN General Assembly
Resolution A/RES/58/5 on "Sport as a means to promote Education,
Health, Development and Peace"). www.un.org/sport2005
Few examples of possible core actions conducive
to such supportive environments are highlighted below, although relevant
activities will be identified taking into account local specificities
and conditions:
Participation in physical activity and sport for all within a favourable
and accessible physical environment is generally enhanced by:
More information is available on the website http://www.who.int/moveforhealth/en/
Move for Health logo, posters, stickers, documents
can also be downloaded for appropriate use bearing in mind the usual
WHO rules as indicated on the webpage.
AII are invited to encourage / support / promote
/ initiate actions that would increase the proportion of people of
all ages and conditions who engage regularly in relevant physical
activity / sport for all.
We welcome examples of initiatives from countries
and partners on the Annual Move for Health Day/ Initiative with emphasis
during 2005 on actions / initiatives related to the promotion of supportive
environments that facilitate population participation in physical
activity and sport for all. Appropriate materials received will be
shared globally through electronic means.
All information can be sent to the e-mail account
moveforhealth@who.int
Mr Hamadi Benaziza Health Promotion Unit
Department of Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion WHO/Geneva Tel: +41 22 791 2583 E-mail: benazizah@who.int Website: http://www.who.int/moveforhealth/en/ ![]() http://www.icsspe.org/portal/bulletin-may2005.htm |