Although the health benefits of physical activity are well-established, high rates of physical inactivity among Canadians continue to persist. Recent data indicates that only 15% of Canadian adults are achieving recommended levels of physical activity  (Active Health Kids Canada, 2011) while 88% of children and youth do not meet the guidelines set out by Canada’s physical activity guide  (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2011 ). This is problematic considering that physical inactivity has been associated with a number of adverse health outcomes such as an increased risk for chronic diseases, disability and premature death (Health Canada, 2011). 

Opportunities for physical activity are not divided equally among Canadians. Instead, the ability one has to achieve adequate levels of physical activity is deeply influenced by wider social and economic determinants. Income, for example, has been identified as a key determinant of physical activity. According to a 2007 report by Statistics Canada, leisure time physical activity is less prevalent among low-income groups and Canadian immigrants in contrast to the highest income group in Canada (Gilmour, 2007). 

Low-income groups and neighbourhoods face a number of barriers to physical activity:

• Findings suggest that concerns over safety in low-income neighbourhoods may discourage outdoor leisure activities and sports (Veugelers, Sithole, Zhang, & Muhajarine, 2008; Raine, 2004).
• In a 2005 study on low-income barriers to physical activity among adolescents, the inability to pay facilities fees prevented  those surveyed from being physically active on a regular basis (Romero, 2005).
• In regions of the USA where the majority of the population has a low-socioeconomic background tend to have limited access to recreational facilities, which was associated with lower levels of physical activity and a higher risk of overweight status (Gordon-Larsen, Nelson, Page  & Popkin, 2006).

As the sites where people live, work and play, municipalities have a key role in addressing barriers to physical activity among low-income groups. 

The City of Edmonton's Leisure Access Program

In 2006, the City of Edmonton implemented an initiative called the Leisure Access Program. The goal of this initiative is to address obstacles to physical activity by making the use of recreation facilities more accessible to all Edmontonians, regardless of socio-economic status.

The Leisure Access program provides adults, seniors, youth and children from low-income families with free access to recreation facilities and attractions located in the City of Edmonton.  Significant discounts are also offered for a range of registered leisure programs.  The program also offers discounts for the material sometimes required for participation.

 

Qualification for the Leisure Access Program is based on income-related indicators such as disability, household income or newcomer and immigrant status. Participation in the program can be renewed on a yearly basis (City of Edmonton, 2011).

Ultimately, to successfully reduce obstacles to physical activity among low-income groups and improve the health status of all Canadians, multi-level interventions must be implemented that address health inequities. Further, these interventions must target not only individuals and communities, but also the political and economic environment.

At the municipal level, the leisure access program is one example of what can be done to reduce disparities in health by alleviating financial barriers to physical activity among low-income groups. 

For more information on the Leisure Access Program, please visit: http://www.edmonton.ca/for_residents/programs/leisure-access-program.aspx.

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Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved.