The Regional Assembly has produced a regional public health strategy, Investment for Health, which Sport England is helping put into practice. Physical activity is one of five priority objectives. Investment for Health has a number of key actions that support this plan, and these have been included within it.

We can improve health and wellbeing in the East Midlands by getting people active in sport. 37% of all coronary heart disease deaths and 25% of all deaths from stroke (BHF, 2004) are caused by people not being active. Over half the UK population are either overweight or obese. Obesity in six to fifteen-year-olds trebled from 5% to 16% between 1990 and 2001.

Recent research has identified over 150 physical activity and health related initiatives across the East Midlands. Many of these initiatives only receive short-term funding and limited resources for effective evaluation.

For case studies go to our Sport Changes Lives page

Strategic aims

• To increase participation in sport by working with those groups whose health will benefit most
  
• To continue to support the development of the physical activity aim within Investment for Health, the Regional Assembly’s Public Health Strategy
  
• To make sure that plans for sport interventions, consider their effect on improving health and reducinghealth inequalities.

Key actions

• Make sure the RSB works effectively within a regional ACT and works with new agencies, sectors and settings in delivering physical activity (for example, the workplace, natural environment and transport)
  
• Support the development of local physical activity partnerships linked to County Sports Partnerships
  
• Make sure there is a demand-led approach to developing knowledge and skills of the workforce through Workforce Development Confederations and skill development agencies to make sure sport and physical activity is included in training and continuous professional development
  
• Make sure sport and physical activity initiatives are delivered through a multi-agency approach and relate specifically to health inequalities
  
• Build the evidence base for physical activity interventions, based on existing and new interventions
  
• Set up systems to collect information to monitor trends in physical activity levels within the region