World Health Day 2002

The theme for World Health Day 2002 is "Move for Health." This observance focuses on physical activity as an important global health concern.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the lack of physical activity is a major underlying cause of death, disease, and disability. Preliminary data from a WHO study on risk factors suggest that inactivity, or sedentary lifestyle, is one of the 10 leading global causes of death and disability. More than two million deaths each year are attributable to physical inactivity. In countries around the world between 60% and 85% of adults are simply not active enough to benefit their health. Sedentary lifestyles increase all causes of mortality, double the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity, and substantially increase the risks of colon cancer, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, depression and anxiety. People from every socioeconomic and cultural background across the globe suffer with the non-communicable diseases that result from a sedentary lifestyle. And in developing countries, resources are scarce so it is extremely difficult to effectively treat these diseases.

Any amount of physical activity is beneficial. The minimum amount of physical activity required for the prevention of disease is about 30 minutes of moderate activity, every day. This is easy to accomplish through a simple walk, house-cleaning, or leisure activities such as sports and dancing. World Health Day 2002 reminds us that physical activity is crucial to our health - and a healthier lifestyle may only be a short walk away!