Achieving advocacy success - ISPAH’s long term strategy to advance physical activity as a priority in global health policy

Shilton, Trevor and Milton, Karen ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0506-2214 (2024) Achieving advocacy success - ISPAH’s long term strategy to advance physical activity as a priority in global health policy. Journal of Physical Activity and Health. ISSN 1543-3080

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Abstract

Background: In 2011, physical inactivity was described as the Cinderella risk factor for noncommunicable diseases. This metaphor was used to highlight the disjunct between the advancing evidence on physical inactivity as a risk factor for ill health, its high prevalence, and the paucity of global policy response or priority afforded to physical activity. This paper describes the strategic actions of the International Society for Physical Activity and Health (ISPAH) to raise the profile of physical activity as a global public health priority. Methods: From 2008, ISPAH coordinated a long-term advocacy strategy to advance the status of physical activity and promote its presence as a priority within global health policy. The society employed an advocacy mix that reflected contemporary advocacy theory and models. Results: Through 6 advocacy deliverables, aligned to the global calendar of United Nations and World Health Organization policy developments, ISPAH seized the opportunity to advance physical activity policy and strategies to inform global noncommunicable disease action planning and align with the Sustainable Development Goals. ISPAH’s successful execution of global advocacy for physical activity highlights the importance of leadership, clear objectives, progressive action, timeliness, partnerships, and persistence. Conclusion: As a result of strategic global advocacy since 2008, the field in 2024 is better positioned in relation to global professional mobilization, policy, and technical support for physical activity. However, despite impressive progress across more than 12 years, and the innovation of the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity, the work of global advocacy for physical activity is far from complete.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	political action,mobilization,noncommunicable diseases,sdg 3 - good health and well-being ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/good_health_and_well_being
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	10 Sep 2024 16:30
Last Modified:	25 Sep 2024 18:08
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/96680
DOI:	10.1123/jpah.2024-0214

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