Physical Activity – Community Strategies
Regular physical activity can help reduce or prevent certain chronic diseases including cancer. In 2015, about 994 new cancer cases diagnosed in Alberta were linked to low physical activity.1
The good news is that communities can help increase physical activity!
The strategies listed below offer some ideas to guide activities to increase physical activity in your community. To make the greatest impact, it is best to implement more than one strategy. Activities that work to change community policies, as well as local social, physical, and economic environments, will have the best results It is important to start where you are at. This may mean starting with one area of change and then building on it in other areas over time.
Ways to take action
All of the strategies below are based on current research, have been tested and shown to work. See the methods section for more information on how these strategies were developed.
Active Transportation for Schools
Working with the school community can promote a culture of active transportation in schools.
Affordable Opportunities
Creating affordable opportunities for physical activity ensures that everyone can participate, regardless of income.
Awareness and Education
Awareness and education campaigns can promote physical activity, and its benefits in the community.
Bike Rack or Shelters
Having a safe place to store bikes can increase physical activity broadly, including biking to work.
Creating Inclusive Programming
Inclusive programs promote physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour.
Public Pathways
Community environments can positively influence people to be more active.
Stairwell Use
Stairwell use can increase physical activity.
Download Physical Activity Strategy Kit
Community action focus areas
- Friedenreich CM, Barberio AM, Pader J, Poirier AE, Ruan Y, Grevers X, Walter SD, Villeneuve PJ, Brenner DR. Estimates of the current and future burden of cancer attributable to lack of physical activity in Canada. Preventive Medicine. 2019;122:65-72.
