(July 29, 2016, New York, USA) – Vital Strategies today welcomed the publication of The Lancet report: “Physical Activity 2016: Progress and Challenges”. Commenting on report, José Luis Castro, President and Chief Executive Officer, Vital Strategies, said:
“The Lancet report on Physical Activity should be a wake-up call for local, national and global policymakers. A world committed to sustainable development, embracing progress in global health and wealth, simply cannot afford to ignore an issue that reduces the life expectancy and life opportunities of so many people and cost $67.5 billion in 2013 alone.
“This is a complex issue, with many environmental, cultural and attitudinal contributory factors. As the Lancet report indicates, a variety of interventions are needed to effect change – but this cannot be an excuse for inaction. All stakeholders must step up to the plate. Politicians, policymakers, employers, urban planners, educators and health professionals – among others – need to act, now, in their own enlightened self-interest.
“Each must play their part in delivering an environment and a culture that supports health, implementing a truly comprehensive strategy to encourage physical activity among the youngest to the oldest in our communities. People must be empowered and enabled to undertake more physical activity in everyday life.
“Greater commitment and action is also needed to achieve cut-through in communicating the risks of inactivity to support this change– just as we have communicated the risks of other unhealthy behaviors, like smoking – and to encourage the adoption of healthy behaviors.
“Let’s be clear, we need strong leadership to deliver an impact across whole populations. The silver lining is that change is possible and we at Vital Strategies stand ready to play our part in effecting that change.”
About Vital Strategies
Vital Strategies envisions a world where every person is protected by a strong public health system. Our team combines evidence-based strategies with innovation to help develop sound public health policies, manage programs efficiently, strengthen data systems, conduct research, and design strategic communication campaigns for policy and behavior change. Vital Strategies was formed when The Union North America and World Lung Foundation joined forces. It is an affiliate of The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union).
To find out more, please visit vitalstrategies.org or Twitter @VitalStrat
For further information or to arrange an interview with a Vital Strategies public health and tobacco control expert, please contact Tracey Johnston, Vital Strategies, at +44.7889.081.170 or tjohnston@vitalstrategies.org