The miracle cure: Exercise
If exercise were a drug, almost everyone over 65 would want to take it
If exercise were a drug, almost every single person on Earth would be prescribed it in the later years of their lives. The health benefits for older people are massive β it can help reduce the risk of dementia, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer, depression, heart disease and more.
But not enough older people are getting the benefits of this βmiracle cureβ β as the UK and Irelandβs Academy of Medical Royal Colleges describe it. They are living out their retirements suffering from chronic illnesses, while health services struggle with the costs of looking after an aging population.
Where thereβs a problem, though, People Fixing the World finds a solution. Around the world, imaginative projects are springing up to try to get older people exercising. We hear from veteran cheerleaders in South Korea, walking footballers in the UK and the mayor giving out free gym vouchers in Finland.
Reporters: Tom Colls, Olivia Lang and Erika Benke
(Photo: An older person exercising. Credit: Getty Images)
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- Tue 4 Feb 2020 03:06GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa only
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