Support for the global target on physical activity

[Editor's note: The following message is from the Asia Pacific Physical Activity Network. Please note, we included links to the various documents referenced in the message. -BG]

Dear AP-PAN Colleagues (apologies for across postings)

This email is asking you to support the Global Alliance of Physical Activity, GAPA, in advocating for a proposed global target on physical inactivity.

As key public health advocates I call to your attention the attached Position Statement in support of the proposed global target on physical inactivity as part of the WHO Global Monitoring Framework for NCD Prevention. I request that you might assist in the dissemination of this document as well as the attached supporting materials to your colleagues and networks.

As you may already be aware, there is an opportunity to contribute to the consultation called by WHO on the Discussion Paper #2 (see attached) and this is open until April 19th 2012. For further information see http://www.who.int/nmh/events/2011/consultation_dec_2011/en/

GAPA would specifically wish to encourage colleagues who can engage and support the submission of comments by Member States as well as from NGO organisations and interested partners with an endorsement of the inclusion of the global target on physical inactivity. The case for why physical activity should be included and how it meets the five criteria is set out in the Position statement #2 and #1 (also attached). For those less familiar with this agenda, physical activity is well recognised as a core risk factor for the major NCDs and yet was OMITTED in earlier draft frameworks. It is essential that submissions to this consultation phase comment on and support the inclusion of the target and indicator (see attached Discussion paper #2 from who released March 22 2012).

Should you or your colleagues wish further information please see the other attached documents. Also I have available supporting text suitable for the preparation of submission to the consultation. Please contact me if further help is required.

Supporting documents attached are
- WHO discussion document Draft 2 - released march 22 2012 [http://bit.ly/GM3Iq5]
- The Position statement #2 from GAPA and regional networks [http://bit.ly/H97yog]
- Position statement #1 which presented the case for a global target [http://bit.ly/GZkezi]
- GAPA - The Toronto Charter a global call to action [http://bit.ly/GVErG6]
- GAPA - The 7 investments document [http://bit.ly/hcWRMN]

This email and similar are already circulating among the five regional physical activity networks and materials will be posted on the NCD alliance website. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND ACTION AT THIS IMPORTANT TIME

Fiona Professor Fiona Bull | Chair GAPA-Global Advocacy for Physcial Activity & Professor of Public Health | http://www.globalpa.org.uk/

Date Posted: 29 March 2012