Executive Summary

In 1997, Federal, Provincial and Territorial ministers responsible for physical activity, sport and recreation, recognized physical inactivity as a serious health issue and set a target to reduce inactivity by 10% between 1998 and 2003.

The Business Case for Active Living at Work is the third major initiative undertaken by Health Canada to improve the physical activity levels of Canadians since 1998. The first two initiatives were the launch in 1998 of Canada's Physical Activity Guide to Healthy, Active Living followed by Canada's Physical Activity Guide for older adults in 1999.

The Business Case for Active Living at Work has been developed in partnership with the Canadian Council for Health and Active Living at Work (CCHALW).

This new Internet resource suggests the benefits of being active in the workplace, summarizes the research that has been done, provides some information about what works and how to get started, as well as provides a template for practitioners to use in developing a business case for active living in their own organizations.

Population health model is key to maintaining Canada's health-care system

The goals of a population health approach are to maintain and improve the health of the entire population, and to decrease inequities in health status among various population groups. This approach focuses on the interrelated conditions or determinants that most influence health, and applies the evidence to suggest broad priority areas for action.

Intersectoral action is one of the key directions for improving the health status of the population adopted by the F/P/T Ministers of Health in Strategies for Population Health: Investing in the Health of Canadians. The need for intersectoral action recognizes that key factors which determine population health fall within the purview of many sectors.

Only through action within and between sectors at the local, regional, provincial and national levels will it be possible to influence the social, economic, and environmental conditions that enable and support the health and well-being of Canadians.

Active Living: The key to longer life, better health and quality of life as we age

Researchers in the health and wellness fields have been providing information on the need for physical activity in the lives of people for more than 30 years. However, 63% of Canadians are not active enough to gain health benefits.

We have made some progress over the years but, since 1995, the number of inactive Canadians has remained steady. Increasing physical activity levels in Canada will not only improve the health and well-being of Canadians, but also has the potential to produce significant health-care savings.

Governments' goal to reduce physical inactivity

In 1997, the health risks of an inactive society were clearly recognized by the federal, provincial and territorial Ministers responsible for physical activity, recreation and sport. They set a goal to reduce the proportion of Canadians who are inactive by 10% between 1998 and 2003. Meeting this challenge requires a coordinated effort between governments, the private and voluntary sectors, communities, and individuals.

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