International Health Promotion and Sports

 

It is well established that non-communicable diseases are increasing as the major causes of death among the world’s population. Among the major killers are cardiovascular disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes. Although each of the major agents of death in the world have their own complications and intricacies, most have a common association to similar risk factors. These risk factors include things like obesity, high blood pressure, poor diet, and lack of exercise.  MDG 4: Reduce child mortality is a complicated issue inciting many creative solutions and interventions. One class of interventions to increase physical activity and promote healthy dieting among youth is sport. Sport’s unique and universal power to attract, motivate and inspire makes it a highly effective tool for engaging and empowering individuals, communities and even countries to take action to improve their health (WHO, 2003) (Sports and Health: Preventing disease and promoting health).

The obvious benefits of sports are simple. Increased participation in sports will increase physical activity and improve health. However there are many more benefits to participating in sports that scope beyond the physical realm. According to the WHO, regular participation in appropriate physical activity and sport provides people of  all ages and conditions with a wide range of physical, social and mental health benefits (WHO, 2003)  Physical activity and sport also help to improve diet and discourage the use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs. As well, physical activity and sport help reduce violence, enhance functional capacity, and promote social interaction and integration (WHO, 2003).

It is obvious that sports can also be very influential to public opinion. Professional athletes and teams can often help to advocate for human rights ideals, healthy lifestyles, and moral and ethical codes. Programs like NFL Play60 encourage frequent exercise and also promote ideals like fairness and respect. The world’s largest sport, futbol/soccer has similar programs like UEFA’s RESPECT Your Health, and FIFA anti-racism campaigns. These programs reach out to millions of athletes and viewers alike to encourage beneficial health messages. Sport can play a valuable role as a communication, education and social mobilization vehicle. Sport’s entertainment appeal, amplified by global telecommunications, has made it one of the most powerful communication platforms in the world (Sports and Health: Preventing disease and promoting health).

The social aspects of sport can be very beneficial to the challenging topic of mental health. The social network and inclusion, particularly in team sports can provide numerous mental health benefits. In youth sports this serve as a healthy outlet for challenges faced in childhood.

There may be limitations to the role of sport in international health, but generally I think it brings people of different cultures together, one game at a time and provides great opportunity for promoting a healthy world. Limiting violence and rioting associated with sporting events and promoting respectful competition is a major priority for sports programs throughout the world. Encouraging professional athletes to advocate against these behavior and promote positive ones may lead to even better health outcomes.

World Health Organization, Health and Development Through Physical Activity and Sport (Geneva, 2003) at 1, online: WHO, http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2003/WHO_NMH_NPH_PAH_03.2.pdf>. [WHO, Physical Activity].

Sports and Health: Preventing disease and promoting health. (n.d.). Retrieved from sports and health: right to play: http://www.righttoplay.com/canada/our-impact/Documents/Final_Report_Chapter_2.pdf