Active Essex plan to change one million lives

Active Essex has launched a new four year strategy to tackle the issues around inactivity and change one million lives by getting Essex active.

Recent figures reveal that one in five Essex residents do not take part in any form of physical activity or sport and the levels of inactivity are highest amongst people on low incomes, women, those with disabilities and the unemployed. Figures also show that only 20 per cent of 15-year-olds are active for an hour each day and 30 per cent of children in Year 6 are overweight or obese.

The increased health risk due to inactivity is costing the NHS in Essex alone £58 million every year.

The strategy is backed by Essex County Council, Sport England, 12 local councils and the two unitary authorities in Greater Essex. They all are developing individual plans for their areas so the one million target can collectively be met by 2021.

Azeem Akhtar, chair of Active Essex, said: “There are many conditions associated with inactivity such as the increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease and we’ll be working with the residents of Greater Essex and our partners to change 1 million lives and get Essex Active.”

Dr Zoe Williams, a GP and clinical champion for physical activity for Public Health England, said: “t is wonderful to see Active Essex taking such a positive approach to support communities become more active. I have seen first-hand how individuals’ lives have been transformed by becoming more active and by working together, the benefits can be shared for generations to come.”

Councillor Ray Gooding, Essex County Council’s cabinet member for education, added: “Essex County Council is committed to improving the health of its residents and the forward looking strategy that Active Essex has announced will help us deliver that. By understanding the needs of communities across Greater Essex, we can work together to get 1 million people more active.”