Health Enhancing Physical Activity Policies in Poland: Findings from the HEPA PAT Survey

Aleksandra Romanowska, Agnieszka Morawiak, Catherine Woods, Liam Kelly, Kevin Volf, Peter Gelius, Sven Messing, Sarah Forberger, Jeroen Lakerveld, Nicolette R. Den Braver, Enrique García Bengoechea and Joanna Żukowska
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Aleksandra Romanowska: Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
Agnieszka Morawiak: Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
Catherine Woods: Physical Activity for Health Research Cluster, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
Liam Kelly: Physical Activity for Health Research Cluster, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
Kevin Volf: Physical Activity for Health Research Cluster, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
Peter Gelius: Department of Sport Science and Sport, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
Sven Messing: Department of Sport Science and Sport, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
Sarah Forberger: Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology BIPS, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Jeroen Lakerveld: Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Nicolette R. Den Braver: Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Enrique García Bengoechea: Physical Activity for Health Research Cluster, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
Joanna Żukowska: Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 12, 1-14

Abstract: Insufficient physical activity (PA) is one of major risk factors for serious diseases and premature mortality worldwide. Public policies to enhance PA across society are recognized as an effective tool against the problem. This paper presents the results of a comprehensive assessment of national-level PA policy approach in Poland. A standardized survey of Word Health Organization named the Health-Enhancing Physical Activity Policy Audit Tool (HEPA PAT) was used for data collection. Content analysis and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis (SWOT) were used to characterize various PA policy aspects, to appraise the current situation, and accommodate organizational and environmental factors that it is influenced by. The results show that the national PA policy approach has been constantly developing in Poland, but there is room for improvement in a number of areas. The most important weaknesses are the lack of clear leadership, no mechanisms in place to coordinate efforts undertaken at different levels, and lack of collaboration across different levels of government and across different sectors of economy. Providing an umbrella covering all PA promotion policies and activities is, therefore, a key issue to be addressed. The country should seize the opportunity coming from an increasing awareness of a healthy lifestyle among Polish society.

Keywords: physical activity; Poland; HEPA PAT; public health; public policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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