From one pandemic to another: emerging lessons from COVID-19 for tackling physical inactivity in cities

Citation

McDougall CW, Brown C, Thomson C, Hanley N, Tully MA, Quilliam RS, Bartie PJ, Gibson L & Oliver DM (2021) From one pandemic to another: emerging lessons from COVID-19 for tackling physical inactivity in cities. Cities and Health, 5 (Supplement 1), pp. S181-S184. https://doi.org/10.1080/23748834.2020.1785165

Abstract
Physical inactivity is a global pandemic. The COVID-19 crisis has altered global patterns of physical activity in ways that were unimaginable before the outbreak. Enforced restrictions on mobility and the mass closure of indoor fitness centres has highlighted the limitations of many urban areas for enabling physical activity and reinforced inequalities in physical activity opportunities across cities. However, unprecedented reductions in mobility and increases in localised physical activity provide unique insight on opportunities for urban health promotion. COVID-19 responses can, therefore, encourage new perspectives in urban planning and inspire novel future strategies to design more sustainable, healthier and equitable cities. 

Keywords
Physical activity; neighbourhood inequality; urban planning

Journal
Cities and Health: Volume 5, Issue Supplement 1