For many years health promoters have focused their efforts on telling individuals how and why to increase their level of physical activity. However, research shows the most effective health promotion strategies include a policy component. By influencing policy, the social and/or built environment is changed to support physical activity over time.

Toolkit for Influencing Physical Activity Policy

Physical Activity Resource Centre (PARC)

Designed for those interested in developing physical activity policies within their community, school or workplace. It follows the Health Communication Unit's eight-step policy development model, and is suitable for all levels of experience or comfort with policy development. This systematic approach makes it a more manageable and less resource intensive process.

See: Toolkit for Influencing Physical Activity Policy

Policy Resources

The Health Communication Unit

THCU explains that "policies define and support particular values and behaviours. 'If implemented well, policy can profoundly influence the way people live and the choices that they make. In terms of health promotion, policies should make healthier choices easier, and unhealthy ones more difficult.' A significant aspect of policy is that it is long-lasting and difficult to change, once in place."

THCU uses a Road Map for policy change. They also offer a workshop on developing health promotion policies, a related workshop on media advocacy, and one on media relations. 

For more print and electronic resources, see: Policy Resources