Health Promotion
We work to enhance people’s wellbeing and reduce their health risks associated with tobacco use, alcohol consumption and physical inactivity, thereby contributing to better population health. We develop and implement cross-cutting normative, fiscal and legal measures and capacity development tools. We advance global health in health literacy, community engagement strategies and good governance for health, and foster public health action in the settings of every-day life.

More physical activity

WHO supports countries to increase physical activity through the implementation of the recommended policy actions outlined in the WHO Global action plan on physical activity 2018–2030: more active people for a healthier world. WHO provides practical implementation guidance through global resources such as ACTIVE, a package of effective interventions on physical activity. 

Our Unit supports countries, stakeholders and partners by developing and promoting global policy and guidance on how to support increased physical activity and reduction in sedentary behaviour in people of all ages and abilities across multiple settings. Our global target is to reduce physical inactivity by 10% by 2025 and by 15% by 2030. 

Recognizing the promotion of physical activity requires a "whole of systems" approach, we work to mobilize effective partnerships, particularly with sectors outside of health, including, education, environment, sport, transport, as well as with the private sector and civil society.

The unit undertakes high-level strategic communication and advocacy, informs and supports research and provides a catalyst for innovation. Areas of work include the use of digital technologies for behaviour change, guidance on policy action across different settings, effective use of regulatory and fiscal approaches, and advancing population surveillance of physical activity.

Highlights

Physical activity in Moscow, Russia

Global status report on physical activity 2022

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Our work

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Let's be active, the global action plan on physical activity 2018 - 2030

WHO has developed a new global action plan to help countries scale up policy actions to promote physical activity. It responds to the requests by countries for updated guidance, and a framework of effective and feasible policy actions to increase physical activity at all levels.

Latest publications

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Promoting walking and cycling: a toolkit of policy options

This toolkit presents a compendium of policy options for walking and cycling, highlighting the multiple benefits that promoting and enabling safe walking...

Getting children moving using active video games: a report of the GenMove programme

The GenMove programme was developed as part of Healthy FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Creating a Legacy for Sport and Health. This report outlines the...

Physical activity measurement and surveillance in youth: report of a scoping and planning meeting, 8-10 May 2024

Updating global guidance on the measurement and surveillance of physical activity was called for in the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity and the...

Physical activity measurement and surveillance in adults: report of a scoping and planning meeting, 27-28 November 2023

Updating global guidance on the measurement and surveillance of physical activity was called for in the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity and the...

Country profiles

Country profiles

Country profiles present selected data, statistics and information to provide national health profiles at given points in time.
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