A new report from the World Health Organization says that if nothing changes, collective physical inactivity will take a heavy toll in the years to come. It is estimated that there will be nearly 500 million new cases of non-communicable diseases such as disease and diabetes. .
The findings are from the WHO’s first-ever global status report on physical activity. It analyzes data from 194 countries on how often people engage in physical activity and what policies countries have in place to promote physical activity. As part of the report, the authors also calculated the potential impact on the healthcare system if people’s physical activity levels remained the same through his 2030. These latter estimates, to be published in an upcoming paper, were released last week.
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Multiple factors often contribute to heart disease and other non-communicable disorders (NCDs) in humans, but only some of these risk factors are preventable or change for the better There is a possibility. However, many studies show that any amount of exercise helps people stay healthy, regardless of their age. , high blood pressure, certain cancers, dementia, and depression.
Overall, the authors estimate that there will be approximately 500 million new cases of these diseases worldwide between 2020 and 2030. These cases represent approximately $300 billion (USD) in direct healthcare costs over that period, and approximately $27 billion annually by 2030. Most of these cases (about 74%) occur in low- and middle-income countries, but economic costs are higher in higher-income countries (about 64%).
“This study calls for urgent action by countries to prioritize investments in interventions that reduce this modifiable risk factor,” the authors wrote.
So far, however, most countries appear to be well below these investments. A WHO report found that less than half of countries have a national physical activity policy. Only 30% of countries have physical activity guidelines for all ages. And while most countries have some way of tracking adult activity, fewer than 30% of countries do the same for children under the age of five. The implementation of many of these policies, such as nationally organized running and walking events, has been linked to the covid-19 pandemic, the report’s authors note.
There are many reasons why people may not be physically active, many of which are outside of their control, such as the type of work they do or the hours they work. But the report also highlights actions the government has not taken to encourage more active lifestyles among its residents. For example, only 40% of countries have standards for road design that make walking and bicycling safer.
“We need more countries to scale up the implementation of policies that support people to be more active through walking, cycling, sports and other physical activities. There are also significant economic benefits,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a statement announcing the report. “We hope that countries and partners will use this report to build a more active, healthier and more equitable society for all.”
Recommendations provided by WHO to encourage physical activity include increased public open spaces, walkable roads and other infrastructure, and increased sport or gym activity in schools. There is also a need for better data collection, as little is known about park access and other ways people can be more active.
