1 Department of Prevention ULSS 20 Physical activity and health promotion: The Veneto Public Health Project

2 The European strategy for the prevention and control of non communicable diseases 1.Prevention throughout life must be regarded as an investment in health 2.Society should create health-supporting environments, making healthier choices easier 3.Health services should respond to the present disease burden and increase opportunities for health promotion 4.People should be empowered to promote their own health 5.Universal access to health promotion disease prevention and health services is central to achieving equality in health 6.Governments at all levels have the responsibility to build healthy public policies

3 Physical activity in 1200 older adults living in Verona Physical activity in 1200 older adults living in Verona prof. Dario Olivieri – Verona University In 2005, only 1/6 practiced recommended levels of PA (Physical Activity); 30% was completely sedentary Common activities: walking, housework People of higher socio-economical and educational level were more active 17% reported health-related barriers to PA (e.g. osteo-articular or cardiovascular diseases) which could be overcome by means of better information 9% reported sedentary behaviour caused by  being tired or lazy  lack of time to exercise  low accessibility of parks, trails, and recreational and fitness centers

4 Physical activity in older adults living in Verona Physical activity in older adults living in Verona prof. Dario Olivieri – Verona University Financial Burden:  every year non-active people visit their family practitioner 3 times more often than active people  An estimated family practitioner visits/year (vs a total of visits - 14%) could be avoided by means of regular physical activity  second level referrals could be reduced and 20% visits could be avoided if older adults were regularly active

5 Health Promotion Plan Verona Municipality Air quality and pollution control Healthy housing program Sustainable Development - Agenda 21 database Street accidents prevention Physical Activity Promotion (gym classes, walking groups, kids-walk-to-school, urban environment interventions) Safer workplace project Healthy food promotion “Last minute market”

6 Project on “Physical activity promotion and disease prevention" - Public Health Regional Policy Plan for 2002/04 and 2005/07 Chronic disease prevention plans: obesity diabetes cardio vascular diseases road injuries and domestic accidents urban health healthy food promotion

7Timetable 1989 launch of the program “Movement and Health” (gym classes for the elderly, Verona*) 2001/2 Public Health Regional Policy Plan for 2002/04 – regional planning and funding 2003 launch of the project on "Physical activity promotion and disease prevention" - reference centre: Department of Prevention- ULSS 20 Verona, Director dott. Massimo Valsecchi 2004 training on physical activity for health care workers** 2005 training on physical activity and health for physical trainers** 2006 all public health departments in Veneto are implementing physical activity promotion programs 2007/8 training on physical activity for family doctors * in collaboration with CEBISM (Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca in Bioingegneria e Scienze Motorie) ** in collaboration with Verona University –Department of Motor Sciences

8Activities Networking with Municipalities Public Health Departments (Veneto) University - Motor Sciences and other Departments Patients (elderly, diabetics) Family doctors Non-governative organizations Diabetes outpatients services Permanent education for : health care workers, family doctors, physical trainers, institutions (in collaboration with Verona University – Motor Sciences Department) Pilot activities funding (gym and walking clubs for older people and diabetics) “Use stairs instead of elevator”

9 “Use the stairs instead of the elevator” Motivational signs: brochures, posters in Veneto health care services rural and metropolitan local municipal districts offices low socio-economic level neighborhoods

10 "Mini citizens in maxi roads“ competiton The Public Health Services network adheres to the international kids-walk-to-school program. Moreover, the department is organizing a competition (open to various institutions, associations, primary and secondary schools and citizens groups of the Veneto region) for the most original initiatives/projects that promote physical activity in everyday life, with a particular focus on children through a re-dimensioning of urban roads. The event, named "Piccoli cittadini per grandi strade" ("Mini citizens in maxi roads") will be promoted to public and private institutions; a prize will be given to the best local project in the field of physical activity promotion in everyday life of children.

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