ABSTRACT
Modern medical technology combined with organized public health efforts have led to the greatest advances in human life span, health-related quality of life and an expanded understanding of factors that influence morbidity and mortality. This chapter addresses the notable health disparities and inequities associated with physical inactivity across race, ethnicity, income, sexual orientation, disability level, veterans' status, income level and geographic location. The social determinants of health framework has also been emphasized by World Health Organization (WHO), highlighting the need for improved policies to address the factors related to the determinants, including socioeconomic and political contexts which impact health equity. To target the factors that influence health outcomes and behaviors in the population we need to consider many different factors. The chapter outlines the importance of physical activity and how it is measured, defined health disparities and inequities, identified the social determinants of health and discussed a framework for addressing the problem of inactivity.
