Physical Activity in California: A Case for Action

Keys to Success

The trends described above, as well as others, make it very difficult for Californians of all ages to make physical activity a part of their daily lives. Many of the causes of sedentary living are complex, well engrained into society and not easily addressed. It is crucial for legislators, policy makers, city planners, transportation engineers, commercial advertisers, private industry, school officials, employers and others to recognize that they each play a vital role in either encouraging or discouraging physical activity and thus, the health of Californians. In this respect, they must begin to view themselves as public health practitioners. Effective solutions to the physical inactivity epidemic will not be able to be implemented without the cooperation and involvement of many professionals and disciplines. Therefore, partnership, collaboration and greater understanding among public and private sectors will be the keys to success in California.

The California Center for Physical Activity seeks to collaborate, whenever feasible, with other public- and private-sector programs to combat the ill effects of sedentary living. It is also critical to link physical activity promotion to other statewide and local health initiatives for the prevention and/or control of unintentional injury, cancer, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis, as well as those focused on traffic safety, violence prevention, environmental health, and nutrition.

Copyright © California Center for Physical Activity.