engleski

The Republic of Croatia National Action Plan for Health Enhancing Physical Activity

In the last two decades the Republic of Croatia has experienced substantial political changes, which had repercussions on all aspects of life. At the time when Croatia was a part of the former state – Yugoslavia, a well organized system of exercise for general population existed. Special concern was paid to the working force, i.e. employees. Namely, large companies were obliged by the law to have a physical recreation department, responsible to take care of daily, weekly and annual exercise programs for employees, and cities were obligated to provide facilities, gyms or open spaces to enable people to exercise free of charge. The shift from socialist system to market capitalism in 1991 brought paramount social changes in general. This includes major changes in physical activity promotion policies as well – presently, physical activity promotion lies on the shoulders of local “Sport for All” associations, as well as on sporadically and independently undertaken uncoordinated promotion campaigns without an umbrella national strategy. Although there is a document called Sports Act (2006), addressing some important issues regarding physical activity promotion, unfortunately, up-to-date no programs have been implemented on the national level. In light of numerous evidenced public health benefits of physical activity (as presented in the document), and ever more alarming public health epidemiological data in Croatia, there is an urgent need for the development of a National HEPA Promotion Plan. Consequently, it is crucial to persuade Croatian policy makers to recognize physical activity as an important factor for health and quality of life. The National Physical Activity Promotion Strategy should be developed in collaboration of national and local government, public and private sector, and academic institutions. This Physical Activity Action Plan was developed with the main goal of identifying crucial steps to be taken in creating the National HEPA Strategy.

physical activity; health; promotion; action plan; strategy; Croatia

Prepared according to the agreement with WHO (Registration file 2010-106562).