There is a pandemic that began before COVID-19, and it has gotten worse since the viral pandemic began. That’s according to the ‘Change for Good Health’ report released this week by the Impakt Foundation for Social Change. It says physical inactivity is costing Canada billions of dollars a year, taxing our lifespans, and causing significant harm to both mental and physical health.

Dr. Paul Oh, Medical Director of the Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Program in Toronto, says prior to the pandemic, 16 per cent of Canadians got the World Health Organization’s recommended 150 minutes of physical activity per week, and that inactivity costs Canada’s economy an estimated $6.8-billion every year. Since COVID-19, the level of activity has decreased by 40 per cent.

The report advocates for safe, accessible physical activity for everyone, no matter the age, where they live, what their ability level is and how much money they have and says that taking care of your health through activity should be an essential right. Dr. Oh suggests that if all children were active every day, they would learn better and achieve better outcomes, and adds that the answer to reducing illness and over-burdening hospitals is to promote healthy activities in the community.

Click here for the whole report. Change-for-Good-Health-by-impakt-2021