Health

Health

GETING ACTIVE

There is already strong evidence that physical inactivity contributes to obesity, high blood pressure and smoking as a risk factor for illnesses like cancer and heart disease.

Even though a great deal of progress has already been made in the Northwest to address these challenges, reducing health inequalities and improving life-expectancy there is still a lot to do. London 2012 is a powerful incentive to take this agenda a step further by linking in with existing national initiatives such as Change4Life and NHS Choices, it provides an opportunity for all organisations and individuals to improve the health of themselves, their workforce and their communities, and to inspire the next generation in the Northwest to choose an active and healthy lifestyle. View The Health and Wellbeing Framework for the 2012 Games (pdf 1mb).

 

At a national level, the Department of Health’s Legacy Action Plan (LAP)  sets a target of getting two million more adults more active by 2012. 

The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) recommends that adults should undertake at least 30 minutes of physical activity at least five times a week and children should undertake at least one hour of physical activity every day. The NHS in the Northwest already plays a major role in promoting these aims, as it is widely recognised that this is the only way we will truly transform the lives of people in the region. Using the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to kick-start our initiatives will increase participation in physical activity up to and beyond the levels recommended by the CMO.

This isn’t just a challenge for the NHS. Many organisations in the Northwest, from local authorities and voluntary organisations to operators of leisure facilities and transport providers, can play their part in encouraging people in the region to live healthier, more active lives.

 

Case Studies