Blueprint for an Active Australia

The Heart Foundation of Australia has launched a new Blueprint for an Active Australia.

The Blueprint for an Active Australia provides key actions that can increase physical activity levels in Australia in the year's to 2013. It draws on available evidence that supports the need for implementation of a comprehensive range of actions at national, state and local levels. These actions create opportunities for all Australians to be active everywhere: in homes, neighbourhoods, schools, workplaces and communities.

The document was developed for government, non-government and communities, providing strategies to influence programs, policy and action plans. The implementation of these measures will increase physical activity across Australia.

A major element of effective advocacy for increasing population physical activity is developing and promoting consensus on the key actions required. In the Blueprint for an Active Australia the following 'ten point plan' is proposed:

1. Implement a national, integrated and ongoing physical activity mass-media strategy.
2. Regulate to provide a built environment that supports active living.
3. Actively encourage, support and facilitate more walking, cycling and public transport use.
4. Develop and implement a physical activity workforce training strategy.
5. Provide financial incentives (tax and price) for individuals, families and business to make active choices cheaper and easier.
6. Activate healthcare funding systems that support general practitioners (GPs) and other health professionals to prescribe and provide advice about physical activity.
7. Provide programs and opportunities to increase physical activity levels among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
8. Implement a life-stage approach to physical activity programming, including:
a) a comprehensive active children and youth program
b) an active families initiative
c) an active adults initiative
d) an active older adults campaign.
9. Provide physical activity programs in key settings where people live, work and are educated, including:
a) workplaces
b) local government
c) schools and childcare facilities.
10. Provide leadership, coordination and infrastructure to support implementation of the above actions:
a) establish a Prime Ministerâs Advisory Council on Physical Activity to oversee development of an implementation strategy for Blueprint for an active Australia
b) identify fiscal measures to ensure dedicated financial resources to fund ongoing implementation
c) fund and support regular monitoring of the Australian populationâs physical activity levels
d) prioritise funding for physical activity research and program evaluation
e) monitor the impact of a changing environment.

To implement the plan, the Heart Foundation calls for a long term strategy led by federal, state and local government, and supported by public and private stakeholders.

For more information go to www.heartfoundation.org.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/Blueprint%20for%20an%20active%20Australia%20FINAL.pdf

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