The 10th ISPAH Congress in Paris has come to a successful conclusion. Co-hosted by the French Society of Public Health (SFSP) with co-sponsorship from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the congress took place from October 28-31, 2024 with workshops, symposiums, keynotes, and presentations on the global public health landscape. The congress brought together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from around the world. Paris provided an inspiring backdrop as the city leveraged the momentum of the 2024 Olympic Games to advance public health initiatives, and its strong commitment to promoting physical activity.
A City Leading the Way
Paris embraced the opportunity to showcase its efforts in creating an active and inclusive environment. Local actions, aligned with the city’s 2024 Olympic legacy, highlighted innovative approaches to integrating physical activity into daily life. The congress attendees were able to witness firsthand the city’s initiatives aimed at reducing physical inactivity and improving population health, reinforcing the host site’s role as a leader in global public health.
Photo Credit to Amandine Baron
The Role of the French Society of Public Health (SFSP)
The SFSP played a pivotal role in organizing the congress, showcasing its leadership in fostering collaboration among public health professionals, researchers, and policymakers. With over 80 member associations and a wide network of experts, the SFSP facilitated discussions that addressed the multidisciplinary challenges of promoting physical activity. The society’s commitment to creating public debate and influencing policy was evident throughout the congress, providing a solid foundation for future collaborative efforts.
A Milestone Gathering
The ISPAH Congress 2024 attracted a diverse network of over 900 delegates from across the globe. Attendees engaged in vibrant discussions on the latest research, shared policy insights, and explored best practices for tackling inequalities in physical activity participation. The congress featured 17 symposia, over 300 oral and short-oral presentations and 407 poster presentations that addressed pressing issues in physical activity promotion, from scalable interventions to policy implementation.
Highlights from the Congress
A key theme of the congress was the urgent need to accelerate policy and practice to ensure physical activity for all. The event provided a platform for sharing evidence-based strategies and innovative models that can be adapted across different contexts and populations. Researchers presented new findings on the health benefits of physical activity, while policymakers shared success stories of implementing community-level interventions.
A Catalyst for Change and Looking Ahead
The discussions and networking opportunities sparked new ideas and forged strong partnerships that will continue to advance the field of physical activity promotion. The congress underscored the importance of integrating physical activity into public health agendas and highlighted the need for sustained efforts to create environments that support active living.
As the congress concluded, the message was clear: the time for action is now. The momentum built during the ISPAH Congress 2024 will carry forward, informing future research, policy decisions, and community initiatives. Attendees left Paris with a vision to make physical activity accessible to everyone.
The ISPAH Congress 2024 was a milestone event, paving the way for a healthier, more active world. We look forward to seeing the continued progress and impact as we work together towards achieving the global target of reducing physical inactivity by 15% by 2030.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in Paris. Your participation and contributions have made this congress an unforgettable success.
