Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention
We advance health for all by working with governments and partners to address the social determinants of health and the major risk factors for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries. Through leadership, multisectoral collaboration and evidence-based guidance, we tackle the root causes of NCDs and injuries and provide specialized technical assistance to support policies and programmes that create healthier, more equitable societies.
Economics of physical activity
Policymaking is often driven by data and economics. Decision-makers need information for prioritization and planning of national policy and legislation that promote or impact physical activity levels and opportunities across sectors.
WHO conducts economic analysis in order to demonstrate the value of investing in and prioritizing physical activity. For example, WHO
- Estimated the cost to the public health system of NCDs and mental health conditions that could be prevented if populations were more active. Alternately, if there is no improvement to levels of physical inactivity, nearly 500 million new cases of NCDs will occur by 2030, costing US$300 billion to healthcare systems.
- Can estimate the health and economic benefits of increasing walking and cycling. The Health Economic Assessment Tool (HEAT) for walking and cycling considers the cost of infrastructure improvement and the benefits to population health and can be used to support planning and prioritization for urban and transport planners, public health, and other key stakeholders.
- Can develop country-specific investment cases, looking at the cost and return on investment of specific interventions.
Publications
An advocacy brief calling for stronger multisectoral action to promote and enable more physical activity through provision of supportive environments,...