Thinking politically about effective policies for physical activity

There is strong evidence on the economic benefits of physical activity, particularly for the healthcare sector, and there is emerging evidence on the economic benefits across the wider system. However, physical activity is yet to gain the political traction afforded to other areas of public health such as tobacco control, sugar sweetened beverages and fossil fuels.

Physical activity is influenced by broad socio-economic and political factors that facilitate or hinder active lifestyles, including urban planning, transportation policies and access to recreational spaces. Drawing on key lessons from other areas of public health, this session will focus on the actions needed to shape the political landscape to ensure greater priority, resource allocation and investment to support physical activity for all.