Improving physical activity surveillance

Surveillance on physical activity policy implementation

WHO/Europe is currently monitoring the progress of policy development and implementation on physical activity in the WHO European Region, through the health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) monitoring framework.

WHO/Europe physical activity data collection tool

WHO/Europe has developed a data collection tool to collect information from European Union (EU) Member States as part of the monitoring implementation of the EU Council Recommendation on promoting HEPA. This data collection process was established as part of a HEPA Monitoring Framework based on the EU Physical Activity Guidelines.

To support the exchange of experiences, policy development and action in the area of physical activity, WHO/Europe has compiled factsheets on the 27 countries in the European Union.

Country physical activity factsheets

The country physical activity factsheets provide a snapshot of the epidemiology of physical inactivity in each of the 27 countries in the European Union. The aim is to monitor trends, national policy responses and current monitoring and surveillance systems and highlight policies and actions in the area of HEPA promotion and other effective approaches to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour.

A settings-based approach to physical activity promotion

Thematic physical activity factsheets focusing on education, health, sports and the workplace have been developed that summarize the current status of physical activity promotion in these sectors and present a selection of “success stories”, or examples of good practices from the Region.