Trends and facts If physical inactivity were a disease, we would be appalled by the toll it takes.  Physical inactivity and diet combined are the nation's second leading cause of preventable death and disease. [1] More than one third of deaths from heart disease can be attributed to physical inactivity. [2]  Inactivity is also responsible for many cases of stroke and diabetes.[3]   Minnesota is only "average" Few Americans meet the levels of physical activity recommended by experts.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that adults accumulate 30 minutes of moderately intense physical activity on five or more days per week.  Yet according to the CDC, only 51% of Minnesota adults met this standard in 2005. [4]   The national average in 2005 was 49.1%, so Minnesota has nothing to brag about.  Alaskans are the most physically active: 59.2% met the CDC's standard.  On the other end, only about one third (34.7%) of Kentucky residents are sufficiently physically active. [5]   The economic burden Physical inactivity is an economic burden as well. The Minnesota Department of Health has estimated that $495 million is spent each year to treat diseases and conditions that could be avoided if all Minnesotans were physically active. [6] That doesn't even count lost productivity—another huge cost for Minnesota employers.   Physical activity improves lives Getting active can make a huge difference in the health and daily lives of individuals. Think what the aggregate impact on a community—or a state—could be. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) offers this compelling list of the benefits of physical activity: [7] Improves mental health and well-being Can help the elderly maintain their independence longer Results in more productive employees by decreasing illness and absenteeism Can help reverse the trend of childhood obesity and type 2 diabete Is beneficial in managing many chronic conditions MDH has estimated that a physically active Minnesota population could expect to see: 30 percent fewer cases of heart disease, stroke, colon cancer, and osteoporosis 18 percent fewer cases of type 2 diabetes and hypertension 16 percent fewer injuries from falls in the elderly 12 percent fewer cases of depression and anxiety 5 percent fewer cases of breast cancer The bottom line: Let's get moving We literally cannot afford to continue the status quo.  Getting another 25% of Minnesotans to integrate activity into their daily lives is a daunting challenge.  But with multiple strategies, public and private leadership, and a long-term commitment, it's doable.    Endnotes 1.  Mokdad, AH, Marks, J.S. et al. Actual Causes of Death in the United States, 2000. JAMA, 2004;291:10,1238-1245. 2.  Ainsworth. BE, Macera CA. Physical Activity. In: Brownson RC, Remington PL, Davis JR, eds. Chronic Disease Epidemiology and Control. 2nd ed. Washington, D.C.: American Public Health Association; 1998:191-213. 3.  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; 1996. 4.  Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevalence Data: Minnesota-2005 Physical Activity. Department of Health and Human Services. Available at: http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/brfss/list.asp?cat=PA&yr=2005&qkey=4418&state=MN 5. Ibid. 6.  Minnesota Department of Health Fact Sheet. Health Care Costs of Inactivity in Minnesota. May 15, 2002. Available at: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/hpcd/chp/obesity/pdf/costsofphysicalinactivity_fact.pdf 7.  Ibid.