Physical Activity as Medicine and Making Every Contact Count

Anne, a clinical pharmacist turned health strategy leader, introduces the Movement for Movement community of practice and the global targets behind it: the 25 by 25 goal for noncommunicable diseases, a 10% cut in physical inactivity, and the Sustainable Development Goals, 8 of 17 of which physical activity influences. No medicine, Anne argues, matches regular activity, which is linked to relative risk reductions of 30% in all-cause mortality, up to 35% in cardiovascular disease, 20% in breast cancer and up to 30% in depression. Because a clinician sees about half a million patients over a career and the public trusts health professionals, making every contact count turns routine consultations into teachable moments. The part covers the UK chief medical officers' guidelines from early years to older adults, evidence that brief advice is as effective as intensive interventions at 12 months, a number needed to treat of 12 for exercise, and the cost of inactivity to the NHS.