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Minister of State for Health Promotion Marcella Corcoran Kennedy TD today welcomed the launch of “Physical Activity: Prescription for a Wonder Drug”, the new policy statement by the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. The Report calls on doctors and other healthcare professionals to start proactively prescribing physical activity as part of any treatment plan for their patients. The Report also makes recommendations on a number of other matters to encourage and support people living in Ireland to be more physically active.

Launching the report today Minister Corcoran Kennedy said “Chronic disease prevention and management are strategic priorities for the HSE and being physically active is one of the best things anybody can do for their health and wellbeing. I am delighted that the recommendations in the RCPI policy statement are intended to support and reinforce the actions which my Department in partnership with other stakeholders are taking in order to implement the National Physical Activity Plan, published earlier this year. I am particularly pleased to note the support of the RCPI for Making Every Contact Count, the HSE initiative that encourages health professionals to use the opportunities when meeting clients to discuss and advise on healthier lifestyles and for exercise referral.”

The National Physical Activity Plan sets an ambitious target to encourage greater levels of participation in all forms of physical activity by everybody living in Ireland. Minister Corcoran Kennedy concluded “Having health professionals advocating for physical activity is a very strong message that the benefits of an active population are huge. I agree that it is time for health professionals, policy makers and the general public to recognise the health benefits of this wonder drug and to prescribe it in abundance.”