It is widely known that physical activity offers significant benefits to our health and the economy. But it is often found that many medical professionals' do not advocate and prescribe physical activity to their patients for a variety of reasons that may include low confidence, lack of ability and being short on time. Therefore, this key message is not being relayed resulting in patients missing out on a vital lifestyle change to improve or maintain their health and wellbeing.

Physical inactivity in England has been estimated at £8.2billion per year, driven by direct health costs and lost productivity in the wider economy. Applying this estimate to the population of Suffolk (757,000) suggests a total cost attributable to inactivity of £134m per year in Suffolk. This figure includes the direct costs of treating disease linked to inactivity and the indirect costs caused by sickness absence.

Low physical activity is one of the top 10 causes of disease and disability in England. It is estimated that within Suffolk, there are 244.6 premature deaths per 100,000 people per year attributed to physical inactivity. Applying this estimate to the population of Suffolk (757,000) suggests that 1,852 premature deaths per year may be attributable to physical inactivity.

A report by Sport England and the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University confirmed that for every £1 spent, sport generates £3.91 in value levelling up inequalities within communities and building healthier, happier and a more prosperous society.

The following resources set out to help healthcare professionals access a wide variety of resources to help increase the advocacy of physical activity amongst the health sector. Whether you're a GP, Nurse, HCP, social care worker or a care navigator, we hope that this page can help point you in the right direction and help you to engage people in physical activity here in Suffolk.