Research commissioned by the Department of Health estimates that physical inactivity is costing the NHS in East Sussex over £10 million a year.
In the NHS East Sussex Down and Weald area it is calculated that people not taking enough exercise is leading to medical care by local GPs and hospitals costing around £6.5 million.
In the NHS Hastings and Rother area, the estimated cost is just over £4 million.
This comes as the Department of Health launches a new initiative to get people moving, ‘Be active, be healthy’.
(Visit www.dh.gov.uk/en/News/Recentstories/DH_094356 for more details)
Mike Wood, Chief Executive of NHS East Sussex Downs and Weald and NHS Hastings and Rother said:
“These figures are intended as a starting point in understanding the cost to the NHS of people not taking enough exercise.
Here in East Sussex, we are implementing an ambitious plan, called ‘Investing in life’, to help local people lead longer and healthier lives.
A key element of the plan is to encourage and enable people to get and stay active as part of an overall healthy lifestyle.
We have a wide range of work going on with our partners, such as East Sussex County Council, to enable people to get the exercise we all need.”
For help and advice on leading a more active lifestyle, people should talk to their GP.
You can also log on to www.nhs.uk.change4life for more information and ideas.
