Active places and people
Regular physical activity is good for us, it has major benefits for health and wellbeing including reducing people’s risk of conditions such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes and improving mental health, wellbeing and quality of life. Physical activity is also good for our communities, offering social and economic benefits such as increased social connection, greater productivity, reduced social isolation and less traffic on our roads.
Preventive Health SA is working to support a more active South Australia, getting people moving and to move more often. We are developing partnerships, strategies, policies, and programs to create the environments and opportunities needed across the state to enable more active communities.
Explore more about our work to support a more active South Australia below.
Our partnerships
Premier’s be active Challenge Secondary Initiative
Physical activity levels decline during adolescence with only 16% of secondary school students aged 12–17 years meeting the recommended daily guidelines. That’s why Preventive Health SA have partnered with the Department for Education on the Premier’s Be Active Challenge (PBaC) Secondary School Initiative. This program helps year 7 and 8 students build active habits by encouraging regular physical activity and rewarding their (and their schools) participation.
Fat Farmers - Improving farmers health and wellbeing through physical activity
Preventive Health SA supports Fat Farmers to establish new groups across South Australia. The program promotes mental wellbeing during drought and hardship by reducing social isolation and stress while helping participants stay active and connected.
Nature Play SA - Creating healthy, active environments
Preventive Health SA has supported Nature Play SA to deliver the O’Sullivan Beach Neighbourhood Nature Project, bringing together students and local communities to co‑create resources that encourage kids to get outdoors more often. The project promotes physical activity, strengthens connections with nature, and celebrates Kaurna culture through a student led nature trail.
Centre for Health in All Policies Research and Translation - Reorienting greenspace planning more equitably, active environments
Preventive Health SA is partnering with the Centre for Health in All Policies Research and Translation and five local councils to co‑create a locally relevant framework for green equity across South Australian green spaces. Going beyond tree canopy targets alone, this work embeds an equity lens to ensure local green spaces are welcoming, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone, thus supporting physical activity, mental wellbeing, and greater connection to the outdoors.
Heart Foundation - Supporting healthy, active communities
Preventive Health SA supports the Heart Foundation through the SA Obesity Prevention Collaborative. Through this partnership, the Healthy Active by Design SA planning resource has been updated to provide best‑practice, evidence‑based guidance to support the design of walkable, liveable neighbourhoods where people can be active and healthy every day.
