Awareness Day

Move for Health Day

May 10, 2026 Recurs yearly

People of different ages and abilities walking, cycling and playing in an accessible public space, representing everyday physical activity and healthy living.

2026 Theme

No unified global theme: WHO decentralizes the day, leaving activity planning to individual Member States.

Campaign Description

Launched by WHO in 2002 following the World Health Assembly's call for an annual physical-activity day, observed around 10 May each year as part of WHO's Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health.

Theme Focus

Move for Health Day focuses on making physical activity a normal part of everyday life and recognizing movement as an important contributor to physical and mental well-being. The initiative promotes activity across different settings, including homes, workplaces, schools, communities and transportation, and emphasizes that movement does not have to mean organized sport or intensive exercise.

The broader message is that communities should make it easier and safer for people to move. Walking, cycling, stretching, dancing, recreational activity and active transportation can all contribute to healthier lifestyles and help reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases.

Key Priorities

  • Encourage regular physical activity across the life course
  • Reduce physical inactivity and sedentary behavior
  • Make movement accessible to people of different ages and abilities
  • Encourage walking, cycling, recreational activity, dancing and active transportation
  • Integrate physical activity into everyday routines rather than treating it only as exercise
  • Create safe, accessible parks, streets and public spaces for movement
  • Promote physical activity in schools and workplaces
  • Support active and healthy communities
  • Reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other noncommunicable diseases
  • Highlight the mental-health and social benefits of regular movement
  • Address environmental and socioeconomic barriers to physical activity
  • Encourage governments and communities to build environments that make active choices easier

Key Concepts

  • Physical activity
  • Exercise
  • Movement
  • Active living
  • Physical inactivity
  • Sedentary behavior
  • Walking
  • Cycling
  • Active transportation
  • Recreational activity
  • Sport
  • Fitness
  • Healthy lifestyle
  • Noncommunicable diseases
  • Cardiovascular health
  • Diabetes prevention
  • Obesity
  • Mental well-being
  • Stress
  • Community health
  • Age-friendly activity
  • Disability-inclusive physical activity
  • Workplace activity
  • School physical activity
  • Health promotion
  • Disease prevention
  • Healthy ageing
View Awareness Calendar