Key Health Data for the West Midlands 2001: Chapter 10

Government health policy recognizes that the way people live their lives including how active they are is central to improving health. A physically active lifestyle, including walking, cycling or participating in sport, reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke and promotes good mental health (Our Healthier Nation, 1999) .

Not doing the recommended levels of physical activity (30 minutes of moderate exercise 5 times each week) doubles the risk of coronary heart disease and trebles that of a stroke.

The Government's Sports Strategy promotes greater scope for participation in sport and physical activity for all and the Value of Sport produced by Sport England, the Local Government Association and the Health Education Authority includes an extensive literature review of the health benefits of sport and describes other benefits such as improved social inclusion and community safety, increased employment, enhanced environment and urban regeneration (Sport England and the Local Government Association , 1999).

Tackling social exclusion

Evidence suggests that participating in sporting activities increases people's sense of integration into their local community. The Neighbourhood Renewal Policy Action Team established by the Social Exclusion Unit has found that participation in arts and sport can promote social cohesion by building strong social networks. Participation in sport enables young people to use their leisure time in a constructive way. Group activities such as team games can promote a sense of community and pride in achievement which lead to heightened awareness of the obligations of citizenship (Home Office, 2001 )

Community safety

Young men, aged 17-25, are responsible for a large proportion of all criminal activity and anti-social behaviour. Sport can reduce the chances of young people offending and the risk of re-offending is reduced if they can be encouraged to participate in sport.

Increasing employment

Sport is a major employer providing over 400,000 full-time jobs and continues to grow.

Environmental Enhancement

Sports fields provide green 'lungs' for towns and cities, while new facilities can regenerate previously derelict land. In the countryside, many sports (such as canoeing, sailing and mountaineering) contribute to the health and sustainability of the rural economy.

Urban regeneration

Improving sports facilities, and hosting major sporting events, can modernise an area's image and improve local self-esteem.

However, access to sport varies from area to area. There are marked differences in participation between men and women, between ethnic groups, and particularly between different social classes. Professionals are more likely to take advantage of local authority sports halls than semi-skilled and unskilled groups, and to be members of sports clubs.

The Government is committed to reducing this unfairness in access to sport. Sport England is asking local authorities to undertake comprehensive audits of facilities in their area. Sport England and the Local Government Association intend to compile and maintain a comprehensive national database of sports provision which will form the basis of strategic planning for sports development. In addition a sports equivalent to NHS Direct will be established.

	Figure 10.1: Location of sports facilities in the region*.

*This information is available on the Internet at http://www.sportengland.org/gateway/gateway_1.htm

http://www.ohn.gov.uk/ohn/ohn.htm (April 2002)
Sport England and the Local Government Association. The Value of Sport. Ref no 918. Sport England, June 1999
Building Cohesive Communities, A Report of the Ministerial Group on Public Order and Community Cohesion. Home Office, London, 2001

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For more information please contact Carol Richards on 0121 414 3368
© Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Birmingham