New WHO Collaborating Centre for Physical Activity and Health

A lack of physical activity increases the risk for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases as well as diabetes and cancer. In Switzerland alone, insufficient physical activity is responsible for at least 325,000 cases of disease and 1,200 premature deaths and causes direct treatment costs of more than a billion Swiss francs a year.

At the Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute (EBPI) of the University of Zurich, the Physical Activity and Health Unit has been dealing intensively with the health consequences of a lack of physical activity. The research group, led by epidemiologist Sonja Kahlmeier, regularly researches and publishes evidence-based guidance and approaches for promoting physical activity. Additional groups at EBPI are researching physical activity from childhood to old age. It is this research which has garnered international recognition and led to the unit’s new designation by the The University of Zurich is launching a new WHO Collaborating Centre for Physical Activity and Health. The Physical Activity and Health Unit and other groups of the Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute will support the Physical Activity Strategy for the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region.

Well-known representatives of WHO, the Swiss Federal Agency of Health, and Zurich Director of Health, Thomas Heiniger, will take part in an opening ceremony today (13th June 2017).

In addition to the Physical Activity Strategy for Europe launched in 2016, WHO also intends to work out a global plan of action for physical activity by 2018.