Increasing physical activity is a powerful tool for improving population health, mitigating non-communicable diseases, and advancing sustainable development. Yet global physical inactivity remains a critical issue, contributing to over 5 million deaths annually and accounting for a significant share of healthcare costs. Only a minority of countries have implemented effective national strategies to combat this trend. The WHO’s Global Action Plan on Physical Activity (GAPPA) provides a comprehensive framework to reverse inactivity trends by promoting walking, cycling, sport, active recreation, and integrating movement into daily life. It sets a bold target: a 15% relative reduction in physical inactivity by 2030. GAPPA is built on four strategic objectives—Active Societies, Active Environments, Active People, and Active Systems—each supported by policy actions that encourage behaviour change, create supportive infrastructure, enhance physical education, and strengthen governance. Central to its implementation is the notion that physical activity must be a collective societal responsibility, integrated into urban planning, transport systems, healthcare, workplaces, and educational institutions. Prioritising equity is essential to ensure that opportunities for physical activity are accessible to all, including women, children, older adults, and people in low-income or marginalised settings. Monitoring, data collection, and multi-level partnerships are key to accountability and success. GAPPA calls for governments and stakeholders to shift from awareness-raising to systemic action, ensuring that movement becomes not just encouraged but unavoidable in daily life. Investing in physical activity is not merely a public health measure—it is a strategic decision that supports climate goals, social inclusion, and economic resilience.
World Health Organization (2018) Global action plan on physical activity 2018–2030: More active people for a healthier world. Geneva: WHO.
