Our physical and mental health is our greatest asset, yet physical inactivity continues to drive poor health and inequality, contributing to a global economic burden of $47.6 billion[1] annually. It is a major modifiable risk factor for non-communicable diseases and mental health conditions yet remains chronically underutilised across the NHS and wider health systems, particularly for people living with long-term health conditions (LTHCs)[2].
Recent national strategies, including the NHSE report Harnessing the Benefits of Physical Activity and the UK 10-Year Health Plan, call for greater ambition in integrating physical activity into prevention, treatment, and long-term condition management. However, progress continues to be hindered by persistent barriers such as outdated perceptions of risk, fragmented data systems, and limited cross-sector collaboration.
This session presents the collaborative work of the Active Partnerships National Organisation (APNO) and the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine (UK) (FSEM), a national initiative funded by Sport England and co-designed for people living with LTHCs to transform how healthcare and the physical activity sectors work together.
The session will identify opportunities to apply national leverage while also bringing together stakeholders to develop an aligned vision. This will help ensure these barriers are overcome to support locally driven integration, demonstrating how coordinated leadership can turn ambition into action and bridge the gap between health and movement for all.
[1] Costa Santos A, Willumsen J, Maheus F, Ilbawi A, Bull F. Ther cost of inaction on physical inactivity to public health care systems: a population-attributable fraction analysis. Lancet Glob Health 2022 https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214 109X(22)00464-8
[2] Katzmarzyk PT, Friedenreich C, Shiroma EJ, Lee I-M. Physical inactivity and non-communicable disease burden in low-income, middle-income and high-income countries. Br J Sports Med 2021;56: 101–06
Ms Annie Holden is the Strategic Health Lead in the Active Partnerships National Organisation, supporting Active Partnerships to strategically embed physical activity as a whole systems approach into health and care systems across England. This includes working with, and influencing, national organisations and key partners to improve healthcare provision for those with long-term health conditions and chronic disease, through the implementation of physical activity pathways and exercise interventions.
Annie has extensive experience in the healthcare sector at National and European level, with expertise in physical activity and exercise interventions for improving cardiovascular health. This experience enables wider insight and understanding to be applied when tackling a whole systems approach to creating an active nation.
Previously, Annie managed various community health services, working with and managing multidisciplinary teams, working closely with Public Health Commissioners. She also held a 2-year position working as the Executive Director of Ireland’s National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health, based at the West of Ireland Cardiac Foundation, in Galway, Ireland.
As a qualified teacher and lecturer, Ms Holden has substantive academic experience and continues to be an Assessor and Course Director for the British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (BACPR), supporting health professionals and specialist exercise instructors.
