What are Policy and Environmental Changes?

Policy and environmental changes enable communities to support healthy behaviors.
"It is unreasonable to expect large proportions of the population to make individual behavior changes that are discouraged by the environment and existing social norms" (Schmid, Pratt and Howze, 1995).

It does little good for example to encourage people to take a walk outside if their neighborhoods are unsafe, unpleasant. Community policies and the community environment should not discourage healthy behaviors, but rather promote a healthy lifestyle whenever possible.

Why focus on physical activity?

Physical inactivity is a behavioral risk factor that can have grave consequences on an individual's health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), physical inactivity and poor nutrition are responsible for at least 300,000 preventable deaths each year, second only to tobacco use.

How much exercise is enough? Thirty minutes of moderate–intensity physical activity at least five days per week is the current recommendation. It is acceptable to accumulate physical activity in bouts of at least 10 minutes. Therefore, taking a few short walks is an example of a quick and easy way to start getting the physical activity you need during the day.