HOW to set up and implement a Moving for Health approach: the generic design principles
This module is designed to equip you with the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to effectively establish and execute a Moving for Health initiative. By integrating health and physical literacies, this approach aims to foster healthier, more active citizens and communities.
In this module, you will explore the essential design principles that underpin successful implementation. Whether you are a health professional, educator, community leader, teacher, coach or simply passionate about promoting health and physical activity, this module will provide you with the tools and insights to make a meaningful impact.
By the end of this stop you will be able to:
- Recognise the generic design principles essential for setting up a Moving for Health initiative.
- Apply these principles to various contexts and settings.
- Advocate for sustainable practices that support long-term health and physical literacy outcomes.
What you should remember: empowering and promoting awareness about Physical Literacy (PL) and Health Literacy (HL) is a development journey.
[Step 1 ] Moving for Health: one model, different strategies
As Moving for Health is a human centred approach, it is no surprise that the symbolic development journey metaphor is so attractive.
The scope of expression of PL and HL is multisectoral, involving most of the person's life contexts, of which the health, educational, sports and community systems in general are very important examples. It is in these environments that it is expected that the PL and HL of each one is expressed, which is why PL and HL development should also be promoted there.
Proven effective strategies for implementing the MfH approach in different environments comprise:
[Step 2 – include title] The Moving for Health design principles
Implementing the Moving for Health approach effectively requires adapting strategies to fit various environments as seen previously.
The development of Physical Literacy (PL) and Health Literacy (HL) must however be based on a set of fundamental conditions or factors - the principles- that signal what really matters for their promotion.
Below, we introduce these principles in order of importance. While it may not be feasible to implement all of them, the first four are essential for your initiative to align with the MfH model.
By adapting these principles to fit different environments, you can effectively implement the MfH approach and promote HL & PL across diverse settings.
[Step 3] Advocate for sustainable practices that support long-term health and physical literacy outcomes.
You are hopefully by now convinced that implementing a Moving for Health (MfH) initiative can be beneficial to you and your stakeholders. But no systemic and sustainable change can be achieved alone so it’s imperative that you get equipped to convince others to join the adventure towards a healthier future.
By advocating for a MfH initiative, you are taking a proactive step towards creating a healthier society. The combination of health literacy and physical literacy not only benefits individuals but also contributes to the overall success and sustainability of your organisation.
The starting point: be clear about the benefits of a MfH initiative
If there were only two key message to remember they would be the following;
- Synergistic Effects: The combination of physical literacy and health literacy can have synergistic effects, leading to even greater economic benefits, such as improved participation, reduced absenteeism, and increased productivity.
- Intersectoral Benefits: The economic benefits of physical literacy and health literacy can extend beyond the healthcare sector, influencing education, employment, and other sectors, leading to broader economic growth and development.
Making the Case to Your Colleagues, Managers and Partners
To successfully advocate for the MfH initiative, it's essential to communicate its benefits effectively. Here are some strategies:
- Share Success Stories: Highlight examples of other organisations that have successfully implemented similar programmes and the positive outcomes they experienced. You can use the “Good Practices” selected by the MfH partnership and presented in the next stops.
- Present the Data: Use statistics and research findings to demonstrate the economic and health benefits of similar initiatives. For example, studies show that every dollar invested in workplace wellness programmes can yield a return of up to $6 in reduced healthcare costs and productivity gains (Source: Health Literacy and Physical Activity: A Systematic Review).
- Engage Stakeholders: Involve key decision-makers and actors in the planning process. Their input and support can be crucial in tailoring the programme to meet the specific needs of your organisation and setting.
- Promote Inclusivity: Ensure that the initiative is accessible to all, regardless of their current fitness levels or health status. This inclusivity can help foster a sense of community and shared purpose.
[Step 4] Before you move to the next stop
Suggested homework
- Are the following statements true or false? Let’s see if you remember well the key principles and strategies exposed in this stop.
- Reflective exercise: Think of your own context. Which argument will you use to convince the stakeholder to organise a PL and HL course between two settings - such as school and health centres, or community and health centres, or sports club and health centres?
Important disclaimer
Through targeted strategies in each setting, we aim to create supportive environments where individuals can build the competencies needed to sustain a healthy lifestyle, improving both personal and public health outcomes. We will explore further and in depth in the following stop of our journey the reality for each setting in the following order: school, health, community, sport. Note that this order does not reflect any ranking from the partnership: no setting is more important than the others!
In fact all settings are important and we encourage you to visit them all, if you decide to do so just click on the “Next” button below.
You may decide to visit only the setting you are more familiar with/working with. If that’s your choice we invite you to use the “Back to training tool” link below and then on the roadmap visual to pick the setting you are interested in.
