Prevention, Physical Activity, and the NHS 10‑Year Health Plan: A Healthier Future for the Nation.

The health of the nation is not simply measured in waiting lists, treatment outcomes, or hospital bed occupancy — it’s measured in how well we stay well in the first place. In a time when the burden of long‑term conditions, inequalities in health outcomes, and pressures on the NHS have never been greater, prevention has moved from a public health ideal to an urgent national priority.

At the heart of this shift sits the NHS 10‑Year Health Plan, a bold national vision to transform the health and care system from one largely focused on treating illness to one that actively prevents it. Key to this transformation is addressing physical inactivity — one of the most significant, yet modifiable, determinants of poor health in the UK.

The Scale of the Challenge.

Despite robust evidence on the benefits of physical activity, large segments of the population are still insufficiently active. In England, roughly one in three men and almost half of women do not accumulate enough activity to benefit health, while significant disparities persist among people with disabilities and within socio‑economic groups. Physical inactivity is associated with up to 40% of many long‑term conditions — including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers — and contributes significantly to premature death and health inequalities.

The experience of increasingly sedentary lifestyles is a public health challenge — and one that requires urgent action across sectors. Physical activity is not a luxury; it is a foundational component of health.

Why Prevention Matters: Beyond Treatment.

The NHS 10‑Year Health Plan sets out a strategic “shift” from a reactive model of treatment toward a proactive model of prevention. This reframing acknowledges that halting illness before it starts not only saves lives but also supports economic productivity and relieves pressure on health services.

Prevention is better than cure — and in the context of physical activity, the evidence is compelling:

• Regular activity significantly reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases and helps manage existing conditions. Even modest increases in physical activity at the population level can prevent thousands of illnesses and related health service use.

• Embedding active lifestyles into routine care can improve recovery outcomes, reduce complications and increase overall quality of life for patients.

  
  

Prevention underpins the sustainability of the NHS. By prioritising physical activity and other healthy behaviours, the system can focus not just on treating disease, but on enabling people to live healthier, longer lives — reducing avoidable suffering and costly interventions down the line.

National, Regional, and Local Levers for System Change.

Achieving a true prevention‑oriented health system requires aligned action at every level — from national policy to local implementation.

At the national level, strategic frameworks and cross‑government initiatives must prioritise physical activity. This includes investment in active travel, community sport and physical activity infrastructure, public health campaigns, and policies that make active lifestyles easier and more equitable for all.

At the regional and system level, organisations such as Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), local authorities and health partnerships play a pivotal role in embedding physical activity into health planning. These bodies are uniquely placed to tailor solutions to local needs, integrate activity into care pathways, and partner with community providers to reach those most at risk of inactivity.

Local action is where prevention becomes real for individuals. A neighbourhood designed with walkable streets, accessible parks, community sport clubs, safe cycling routes, and inclusive leisure facilities supports residents to be active in their daily lives. When local leaders invest in these environments, they help move a natural and sustainable part of life.

The Role of Physical Activity in Prevention and Public Health.

Physical activity is a powerful tool in the prevention portfolio. It strengthens heart and lung health, supports metabolic regulation, enhances mental wellbeing, and mitigates the development and progression of many non‑communicable diseases.

Importantly, physical activity benefits individuals across the lifespan. From improving mental health and social connection in young people to maintaining mobility and independence in older adults, being active supports healthier ageing and reduces demand on healthcare services.

But the benefits extend beyond health outcomes — physical activity fosters social cohesion, boosts economic productivity and contributes to community wellbeing. These wider dividends further underline why physical activity must be central to national prevention strategies.

Why This Matters: A Healthier Nation, Together.

The shift toward prevention in the NHS 10‑Year Health Plan recognises a simple truth: a healthy nation is not built in the NHS alone. It is built in our homes, neighbourhoods, workplaces, schools, and leisure spaces — through policies that create environments where being active is supported, safe, equitable and enjoyable.

This system‑wide transformation demands collaboration; no single organisation can do it alone. It requires national leadership to set the direction, regional systems to drive integration, and local communities to animate change on the ground.

At the Why Sports 2026 Conference, we are honoured to welcome Dr Jeanelle De Gruchy, representing the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, as she explores these themes in depth. Dr De Gruchy will discuss the NHS 10‑Year Health Plan’s vision for prevention, the central role of physical activity in public health, and how aligned action across systems can transform the health and wellbeing of the nation.

Reducing inactivity is not just a policy goal — it’s a pathway to building a healthier, fairer and more resilient society. By working together across sectors and scales, we can make that future a reality.