Abstract of presentation :
The rising incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in western countries is reported as being driven by poor lifestyle choices, which include drops in adequate physical activity levels. Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) can impose large health, financial and economic costs on countries. In some countries, NCDs are responsible for more than 50% of health costs. The economic consequences of physical inactivity have been shown to be substantial for health care costs but even greater on indirect costs, which include the value of economic output lost because of illness, disease-related work disability and premature death. In response to the growing burden of chronic NCDs and in order to reduce the impact of major risk factors such as unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, the New Zealand Ministry of Health funded a community- and primary healthcare-based physical activity intervention called Green Prescription. Green prescriptions have been shown to be effective in increasing population physical activity levels. Green Prescriptions are available nationwide, through the partnership with general practitioner groups, sport trusts and funding from the Ministry of Health. The Green prescription initiative has been recognized as smart and cost-effective way to help people stay healthy thus alleviating health costs.

The purpose of this presentation is to highlight good practice that has stemmed from effective working relationships between health, local government agencies and sport trusts, to support people in adopting healthier lifestyles.