Asia Pacific Physical Activity Network

About APPAN

The Asia Pacific Physical Activity Network (APPAN)

The Cluster for Physical Activity and Health (CPAH), based within the Sydney School of Public Health Australia is an academic research group interested in physical activity and public health. CPAH is staffed by public health researchers and epidemiologists with a special interest in physical activity and in health promotion. CPAH focuses on physical activity epidemiology, PA measurement research, the design and evaluation of interventions to increase physical activity and policy research related to physical activity and health. CPAH also conducts a number of international projects in the Asia Pacific region and elsewhere around physical activity in the context of non-communicable disease prevention.

With the involvement of the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) CPAH has developed a physical activity network in the Asia Pacific Region.

The Asia Pacific Physical Activity Network (APPAN) is an informal communication network, coordinated by CPAH. It facilitates communication around physical activity and health in the Asia Pacific Region, and assists with supporting the implementation of the WHO Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health. It interacts with other regional physical activity and NCD networks (e.g. in Americas and Europe).

A steering committee, comprising network members from different countries across the region was established in 2006. The committee will support and enhance the work of APPAN and has begun to meet regularly by international teleconference.

Objectives of the network

- Develop communications and share information across network members.

- Disseminate updated information on population level physical activity policies,

programs, guidelines and measurement / surveillance.

- Provide evidence-based reviews and technical support; act as a clearinghouse for

physical activity and public health in the Asia Pacific Region.

Next actions

The network plans to:

- Develop and maintain the Asia Pacific Physical Activity Network’s website.

- Disseminate information on national and regional physical activity prevalence, programs and policies.

- Host a formal network meeting within the region.

Membership

Membership is voluntary on the basis of an informal commitment to engage in network activities, for example, by exchanging ideas, experiences and information on physical activity, either actively or passively.

We intend to include representatives from each country in the Asia Pacific Region in APPAN. This may be a person based at a national governmental or non-governmental organisation (within the health, education or sport / recreation sector), or key strategic / academic individuals with expertise and interest in physical activity and links to national and regional implementation.