Couch potatoes in the UK are now able to stretch their legs on the government‚s penny because the National Health Service will pay when patients at risk of heart disease or stroke use swimming pools or leisure centres.
More than 200 GP practices in England are offering ”exercise on prescription” and the scheme is being expanded. Public Health Minister Yvette Cooper says the program could ”significantly improve health and prevent cases of heart disease or stroke.”
Seven in 10 English adults are considered too inactive and 20% of women and 17% of men are obese, according to a report done for the Department of Health. The proportion of the population now classified as obese has risen by 4% since 1993. The government has pledged to cut levels of obesity, smoking and heart disease over the next decade. —
Signature
Barbara Sibbald
CMAJ