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Is there Europeanization of physical activity promotion?

  • Physical inactivity is a problem in Europe, contributing to various non-communicable diseases (NCDs). While health sciences offer data and models for preventing the development of NCDs through health promotion, they do not explain the dynamics between the different institutions and actors in the health field. Neofunctionalism refers to these different actors and suggests that their interaction leads to the construction of a supranational authority, allowing the actors to cooperate on common policies, rules and institutions, resulting in integration and Europeanization. Indeed, there are a variety of European Union (EU) institutions and policies concerned with physical activity (PA), however, the purpose of this paper is to analyze if Europeanization and integration are happening in PA promotion, through the lens of neofunctionalism. Analysis uses process tracing for investigating the emergence of PA on the EU agenda, the legal background, existing policies and institutions. Findings indicate that Europeanization and integration of PA promotion are happening, although the opportunity for actions of the EU are restricted to voluntary actions of the EU Member States due to the agreements in the Treaty of Lisbon. This only allows the EU institutions to apply soft law approaches on PA promotion, which seems to be implemented in some Member States despite its non-binding character. The findings are discussed and further implications for public health professionals and policies outlined.

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Metadaten
Author:Carina Mnich
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2019.01.004
Parent Title (English):Health policy
Subtitle (German):A neofunctional approach
Publisher:Elsevier
Document Type:Article
Language:English
Year of first Publication:2019
Release Date:2022/02/03
Tag:EUROPE; European Union/organization & administration; Exercise; Health Promotion/organization & administration; Humans; health policy
Volume:123
Issue:3
First Page:317
Last Page:326
Institutes:Fakultät Angewandte Sozial- und Gesundheitswissenschaften
Begutachtungsstatus:peer-reviewed
research focus:Lebenswissenschaften und Ethik
Licence (German):Keine Lizenz - Es gilt das deutsche Urheberrecht: § 53 UrhG