Public Health England (PHE) has today published Everybody Active, Every Day, a framework for nationwide action to combat the physical inactivity epidemic.

PHE’s latest statistics place inactivity responsible for one in six deaths in England and put its cost to the country at an estimated £7.4bn a year. The framework is the first consolidation of national and local priorities, including the Moving More, Living More commitment to a physical activity legacy from the 2012 Games, and NICE guidance.

The heightened focus on addressing physical inactivity marks a significant win for ukactive, which has consistently championed the cause and published its high-profile report Turning the tide of inactivity, in January this year.

“This is the largest and most significant piece of work on physical activity done by PHE since the inception of the unit in 2013," said ukactive CEO David Stalker. "It is a great indication that physical activity is starting to climb its way to becoming a top tier public health issue."

PHE has co-produced the framework with more than 1,000 physical activity leaders and is calling for action from providers and commissioners in a range of sectors to help achieve its goals.

To make active lifestyles a reality for all, the framework’s four areas for action aim to:

• Change the social ‘norm’ to make physical activity the expectation

• Develop expertise and leadership within professionals and volunteers

• Create environments to support active lives

• Identify and up-scale successful programmes nationwide

The Everybody Active, Every Day framework is being launched today at London’s Kia Oval, where minister for public health Jane Ellison will kick off the initiative with CEO of PHE Duncan Selbie, Lord Coe and Sport England CEO Jennie Price. Sport England will be launching round two of its Get Healthy Get Active campaign, a £5m investment in tackling inactivity at the event.

“We are making £5m of additional National Lottery funding available for projects that will focus on the least active, as this is where we can make most impact by reducing health inequalities and producing the greatest potential health benefit,” said Price.

PHE’s executive director of health and wellbeing, Professor Kevin Fenton, heralded the initiative as the chance to strike a decisive blow against one of the country’s silent killers, paving the way for future generations to lead healthy, independent lives.

“Physical inactivity is unrecognised as a significant health, social and economic burden on individuals and communities in England,” said Fenton.

“It is the fourth greatest cause of ill health in the UK, and a leading contributor to rising levels of many long-term conditions, such as obesity, diabetes and dementia.

“If we get (the framework) right, the benefits will be shared by future generations leading to an increase in everyone’s chances of living a healthy, independent and fulfilling life.”

To read an exclusive interview with Professor Kevin Fenton about the ‘wicked problem’ of physical inactivity – from the February edition of Health Club Management magazine – click here.