15 OCTOBER 2021

HEALTH FOR ALL

WHO warns all that “up to five million premature deaths a year could be prevented if the global population was more active, but many people live in areas with little or no access to spaces where they can safely walk, run, cycle or engage in other physical activities”.

The Report released reveals that one in four adults, and four out of five adolescents, do not engage enough physical activity.

 Physical activity includes walking, cycling, wheeling, sports, active recreation and it helps to prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes and several cancers.

It also helps prevent hypertension, improve mental health and quality of life, says the guidelines issued by WHO. 

In 2018, WHO launched a new Action Plan on Physical activity recommended for actions to member states and called for providing safe and supportive environments to help people increase their level of physical activity at regional and local level.

“There is an urgent need to provide people with better opportunities to live active, healthy lives. Today the possibility for people to take part in physical activity is uneven and unfair.  This inequality has only gotten worse during the Covid-19 pandemic,” WHO Deputy Director-General, Zsuzsanna Jakab said.