Healthy Ageing: physical activity in an ageing society. Eighth Report of Session 2024–26
- Vicky Paynter
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
Recent Publication Friday 22 May 2026
Key Points-
If physical activity were a drug, we would refer to it as a miracle cure, due to the great many illnesses it can prevent
and help treat.1
UK Chief Medical Officers
-This report addresses the essential role of physical activity in preventing illness among older people. We are living longer, yet too many people are spending those extra years in poor health, with low levels of physical activity being a major driver of ill health in later life. Increasing movement—especially among the least active—can prevent many of the leading causes of death, prevent the onset of frailty, dementia and disability
-Despite the overwhelming evidence of the benefits of physical activity—often described as more effective than many drugs—it continues to be treated as an optional extra across the NHS and social care. If the government is serious about creating an NHS that is “fit for the future” and shifting from treatment to prevention, it cannot ignore one of the safest and most cost-effective interventions available.
