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Increasing
physical activity can save Health Service millions
New research
revealed today shows that if the number of people in Northern
Ireland who currently take little or no physical activity
could be decreased by 5%, the Government would save almost
£2.37 million per year as a result of reductions in coronary
heart disease, stroke and colon cancer patients.
This figure was
revealed today during the launch of the Health Promotion Agency
for Northern Ireland’s, 'Get
a life, get active', public information campaign on physical
activity. Speaking at the launch Caspar Swales, Deputy Economist,
Economics Branch, DHSSPS, said: "The Northern Ireland Physical
Activity Strategy aims to reduce the sedentary population
by 5% by 2002. If this target is reached it would be expected
that as well as making considerable financial savings, more
importantly the number of deaths related to an inactive lifestyle
will be reduced by 365 per year – one death a day."
The new initiative,
which aims to get the Northern Ireland public more active,
focuses on two activities – walking and cycling - which will
be highlighted in a television advertising campaign. Posters
and leaflets have also been produced, and will be distributed
throughout Northern Ireland.
A community
grants scheme has also been set up to encourage members of
communities throughout Northern Ireland to become involved
in some form of physical activity. The Agency has been working
closely with the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action
(NICVA) and Disability Action and as a result almost 100 community
groups will be receiving small grants this summer.
Frank Kelly,
Physical Activity Programme Manager for the Health Promotion
Agency, said: "We hope the campaign will grab everyone’s attention
and will encourage everyone, especially the over 40s, to be
more active. Trying to do 30 minutes of physical activity
on most days will have major health benefits.
"The campaign
highlights how walking is one of the easiest ways to exercise.
In fact, research shows that walking a mile briskly uses the
same calories as running a mile. Walking gives a total body
workout if you put energy and effort into it. Cycling is another
fun way to build physical activity into your day. It provides
an excellent work-out for the heart, builds strength in the
back and legs and assists the mobility of hip and knee joints.
Cycling is also an inexpensive and environmentally friendly
way to travel!
"Physical activity
is a vital part of maintaining and improving health. It has
many benefits, such as, reducing the risk of heart disease,
high blood pressure and osteoporosis. It can also help control
body weight and is an investment for a healthy independent
future."
END
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