Regular physical activity, such as walking, cycling, wheeling, sports or active recreation, provides significant benefits for health. Some physical activity is better than doing none. By becoming more active throughout the day in relatively simple ways, people can easily achieve the recommended activity levels. 

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Physical inactivity is one of the leading risk factors for non-communicable disease mortality. People who are insufficiently active have a 20% to 30% increased risk of death compared to people who are sufficiently active.

 

Physical inactivity is associated with 1 in 6 deaths in the UK and is estimated to cost the UK in excess of £10 billion annually (including £1 billion to the NHS alone).

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Unfortunately, our population is around 20% less active than in the 1960s. If current trends continue, it will be 35% less active by 2030.

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Many people don’t realise that physical activity has significant benefits for health, both physical and mental, and can help to prevent and manage over 20 chronic conditions and diseases, including some cancers, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and depression.

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People with disabilities or long-term conditions are twice as likely not to be active enough for good health. However, one in four people would be more active if advised by a healthcare professional. A unique opportunity to increase activity for all. 

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The government’s prevention green paper highlights that becoming more active is good for our mental and physical health and reduces our risk of developing a number of health conditions. It also sets out the ambition of getting everybody active in the 2020s, including those already living with a health condition.

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Front-line health and care professionals are guided by the All Our Health framework. Carrying out proactive work to prevent illness or protect population health. Working with people, families and communities to equip them to make better-informed choices. With an estimated two million health and care professionals working across the country, collective efforts can be a real force for change.

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We are starting to understand the importance of our collective physical literacy but the public must also improve their health literacy. The ability and confidence to use health information, make subsequent decisions and engage with health care structures and systems. 

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The 2023 Improving Health and Increasing Activity Conference represents an opportunity to assemble highly educated and passionate professionals with the knowledge and capacity required to pull off many of the complex tasks when activating the nation. A chance to further understand governments' commitments, to shape and redesign our towns and communities and to find out about the resources and services employed in your area that can help people get active. 

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