Reducing inequalities

Data shows that over 31% of the Greater Manchester adult population are physically active for less than 30 minutes a week (view the data here). The data points to clear patterns in terms of who is less likely to be active, which mirror wider inequality gaps along demographic, socio-economic and geographical fractures formed by deeply rooted structural and systemic inequalities. 

• Disabled people and people with a long-term limiting health condition are almost twice as likely to be physically inactive than those without a disability or health condition. Find out more here.
• Lower socioeconomic groups have higher rates of inactivity than people in higher social groups (NS-SEC 1-2). Find out more here.
• Women and girls are less active than men this gender gap starts in childhood with girls being less active from a young age. Find out more here.
• People from South Asian, Black, Chinese, and Other Ethnic Group backgrounds are more likely to be physically inactive than people who are White British or White Other. Find out more here.
• Place: Activity rates differ between people who live in different places, for example, there are different patterns of activity across the different Greater Manchester districts and between different neighbourhoods. For example, between people who live in Stockport vs Oldham but also within Oldham, will differ depending on whether you live in Glodwick compared to Saddleworth. Find out more about the differences between boroughs here.
• Intersectionality: People are not defined solely one characteristic such as their gender, ethnicity, wealth or place of residence. In reality, people are a mix of these characteristics, which intersect and interconnect. Socio-economic inequalities of income and wealth, and disparities in access to resources and power, press down and exacerbate demographic and geographical inequalities. 

These patterns are long-standing and entrenched. Learning and insight shows that these gaps will not be closed unless we take an intentional and targeted approach to address the inequalities which stand in the way of some people participating in physical activity, sport and an active life. 

Recognising these patterns and addressing the inequalities behind them, needs to run through the core of everything we do. Removing the multiple and intersecting barriers to activity, widening opportunities to move and designing moving into everyday life for people and communities that have traditionally been excluded, underserved, left out or left behind.  This is vital to our GM Moving mission.