Breadcrumbs
NCAF 16/7 Health and the Countryside
2. It has been a long held belief by some that contact with the countryside is ‘healthy’. Recently convincing medical evidence has become available to back this up.
3. The countryside contributes to better health in three ways:
One, the chance to be physically active improves peoples’ health. The countryside offers ample opportunities for physical activity - regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, fitness levels - from walking, games, sports, cycling, canoeing and volunteering.
Two , contact with nature improves health. The countryside is unique in providing a recuperative blend of views, fresh air, peace and quiet, the chance for contemplation (or letting off steam), and a stimulation to all our senses of hearing, sight, touch, smell and taste.
Three, social contact with other people improves health. The countryside provides the biggest venue in the land for people to meet - such as being part of an interest or hobby group, sharing a picnic, taking part in events or festivals, learning a skill, or expanding learning.
4. The attached diagram shows these three aspects of better health, including a summary of the health outcomes and the strength of the evidence.
Walking the way to Health Initiative (WHI)
5. The Countryside Agency joined forces with British Heart Foundation in 1999 to get more people walking in their local community - with benefits to their health and the local environment. WHI is helping people to choose, signpost and promote routes for walking; to organise guided walks for people who like walking in company, provide information about healthy walking and to make the physical environment in town and countryside more interesting and safe to walk in. The aim is to get more than a million people walking more by 2005, particularly people who do little exercise and live in areas of poor health. More information is available on www.whi.org.uk
6. By April 2003 more than 500,000 people had been encouraged to walk more. Particular progress includes:
· 185 community based schemes grant aided in areas of poor health (out of a target of 200 schemes);
· 6000 volunteers trained and supported to lead local walks;
· many more local schemes starting up without grant aid but supported by advice, equipment, marketing materials, insurance and training provided by WHI.
7. One particular point of innovation is the Step-O-Meter. This is a device that counts the number of steps the wearer makes. A campaign in 2002 tested whether the Step-O-Meter could play a role in motivating people to walk more. The Results were positive and have since encouraged the Department of Health to co-fund a new campaign in 2003 aimed specifically at encouraging GP’s, health visitors and practice nurses to use Step-O-Meters to encourage their patients to walk more.
8. WHI has helped raise the profile of the health potential of walking and physical activity within Government. This has contributed in part to the setting up of the new pilot programme called LEAP described below.
Local Exercise Action Pilots (LEAP)
9. Sport England, The Department of Health and the Countryside Agency have just announced the setting up of nine pilot projects across the country to test ways of encouraging people to take more exercise, not just walking but informal sports, games, active commuting etc. The concept is to encourage Primary Care Trusts, who are the new local tier of the NHS, to become more directly involved in promoting physical activity. It is early days yet but the pilots will begin work in September 2003. The aim is to test out new ideas, find out what works and share the lessons across the entire NHS.
Conclusion
10. Because Government health policy is shifting away from treatment towards prevention the countryside has the potential to play a more significant role in promoting good health in the future.
Peter Ashcroft, Programme Manager, Healthy Walking
