“Wits University has launched the South African chapter of the Global Alliance for the Promotion of Physical Activity and Health (SA-GAPPAH), responding to alarming inactivity and obesity rates. The initiative seeks to integrate physical activity into healthcare, workplaces, and communities as a cost-effective “medicine” against chronic disease.”
South Africa is facing a public health emergency driven by physical inactivity, obesity, and lifestyle-related diseases. In response, Wits University has launched the South African chapter of the Global Alliance for the Promotion of Physical Activity and Health (SA-GAPPAH), a groundbreaking initiative designed to embed movement into the nation’s healthcare system and community structures.
The Inactivity Crisis
- 35% of South Africans are inactive, meaning one in three citizens does not meet minimum physical activity standards.
- Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer account for 51% of national deaths.
- Obesity epidemic: One-third of black South African women live with obesity, placing them at high risk for diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
Global and Local Context
Globally, inactivity causes 5 million deaths annually. Locally, the crisis is compounded by poverty, inequality, and limited access to safe recreational spaces, making sedentary lifestyles especially dangerous.
The SA-GAPPAH Initiative
SA-GAPPAH is part of the Global Alliance for the Promotion of Physical Activity and Health (GAPPA-H), which South Africa joined after signing the Hamburg Declaration in 2025. Its goals include:
- Developing national targets for physical activity.
- Integrating exercise into healthcare policies and treatment plans.
- Promoting community-based fitness programs accessible to all socioeconomic groups.
- Encouraging workplace wellness strategies to reduce sedentary behavior.
Expert Voices
Professor Demitri Constantinou emphasized that “movement is medicine,” urging policymakers to treat physical activity as a frontline defense against disease. Professor Georgia Torres, Head of Exercise Science at Wits, described physical activity as a “silver bullet” for preventing chronic disease, stressing that the challenge lies in motivating people to move.
The Triple Burden of Disease
South Africa’s health system is strained by a triple burden of disease:
- Non-communicable diseases (NCDs): Heart disease, diabetes, cancer.
- Infectious diseases: HIV and TB remain prevalent.
- Environmental/systemic challenges: Poverty, poor infrastructure, and limited access to safe exercise spaces.
This combination makes inactivity especially dangerous, as sedentary lifestyles exacerbate all three burdens simultaneously.
Practical Strategies for Change
- Healthcare Integration: Doctors prescribing exercise alongside medication.
- Community Programs: Free fitness classes in public spaces.
- Workplace Wellness: On-site fitness sessions, active commuting, and movement breaks.
- Policy Development: Establishing national physical activity targets and monitoring progress.
Conclusion
The launch of SA-GAPPAH marks a turning point in South Africa’s fight against inactivity. By embedding physical activity into healthcare, workplaces, and communities, the initiative aims to reduce chronic disease, improve productivity, and enhance quality of life. The message is clear: movement is medicine, and the time to act is now.
