Partners and Events
No.44
May 2005
 
    

Move for Health 2005 - Supportive Environments
Announcement from World Health Organisation (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland

 

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
  1. health promotion,
  2. implementation of the global strategy on diet physical activity and health,
  3. integrated prevention / control of chronic diseases and
  4. overall development including the achievement of the United Nations Millenium Development Goals.
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:
  • National and local/municipal legislation and measures for i) creating and managing open spaces and parks, possibly within renewed and active urban planning policy; ii) allocating safe indoor and outdoor facilities for physical activity, play and sport for all. and iii) promoting active transport initiatives, especially through walking, cycling, climbing stairs and greater use of public transport.
  • Facilitating the use by community groups of existing local sport facilities such as playgrounds, fields, swimming pools and "gymnasiums" of local sport clubs and schools.
  • Strengthening appropriate physical activity and sport for children and youth in and out of school, including the development of safe routes to school allowing young people to walk and cycle between home and school.
  • Promoting physical activity and related healthy behaviours at the workplace (including health services) and encouraging walk to work initiatives.
  • Organizing regular physical activity initiatives in the community and integrating physical activity and sport for all in leisure, cultural and social programs/campaigns, giving due consideration to the most popular and enjoyable physical activities/sports.
  • Raising awareness in society through media, professional groups, local leaders and organizations about i) the multiple health, social and economic benefits of physical activity and ii) the many potential opportunities that every citizen and every community can have everywhere and at anytime for the regular practice of physical activity.
Participation in physical activity and sport for all within a favourable and accessible physical environment is generally enhanced by:
  1. a socio-cultural environment which values an active life and the practice of physical activity and sport, including popular traditional sports;

  2. the quality of social support that individuals and groups can get, especially from family, peer groups, role models, local leaders and popular community groups; and

  3. personal readiness and motivation.
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