Driving a more active world: The role of pharmacists in promoting physical activity

Regular physical activity provides significant physical and mental health benefits, including improved brain health and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety. It plays a key role in the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes. Pharmacists can support the promotion of physical activity, but some barriers remain, including limited time, lack of opportunities, and the need for more training on how to properly advise on physical activity. Addressing these barriers is essential to empowering pharmacists in promoting healthier lifestyles and integrating physical activity into patient care.

Moderator:

- Filipa Alves da Costa, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Portugal

Panellists:

- Stephen Whiting, Technical Officer (Noncommunicable Diseases), WHO Regional Office for Europe, Denmark

- Romeu Mendes, Medical Doctor - Public Health Specialist, Local Health Unit of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro; Institute of Public Health of the University of Porto,  Portugal

- Rúben Viegas, PhD candidate, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Portugal