PA-EPI Wales Project (Physical Activity Environment Policy Index Wales

Key Information

Lead Researchers: Adrianne Cleverly
Subject Area: Physical Activity Policy / Public Health / Policy Evaluation (PA policies in Wales)
Funding Body: Sport Wales
Project Duration: 7 months
Partners: Sport Wales, Public Health Wales, Welsh Government, Policy Evaluation Network
Further Information: a.l.cleverly@swansea.ac.uk

Challenge

Despite strong policy commitments in Wales, including the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act, there is currently no comprehensive, standardised assessment of how effectively physical activity policies are implemented across sectors. Without this, it is difficult to identify gaps, prioritise investment, or benchmark progress internationally.

Addressing this challenge is critical to improving population health, reducing inequalities, and supporting long-term prevention strategies.

Method

The project applies the PA-EPI framework to systematically evaluate physical activity policy in Wales. This includes:

Desk-based mapping and analysis of national and local policies across 15 domains
Collection and verification of policy evidence in collaboration with government and stakeholders
Stakeholder engagement workshops to validate findings and assess implementation
Structured rating of policy actions using international PA-EPI methodology
Development of a benchmarking report identifying strengths, gaps, and priority actions

Findings

The project is expected to identify areas where Wales demonstrates strong leadership in physical activity policy, alongside gaps in implementation and opportunities for improvement. Findings will provide a clear, evidence-based picture of how well policies are being translated into practice and where greater cross-sector integration is needed.

Impact

The PA-EPI Wales Project will directly inform policy and decision-making by providing actionable recommendations to government and stakeholders. It will support more effective integration of physical activity across sectors, guide future investment, and strengthen Wales’s position as a leader in prevention and public health. The work also enables international comparison and alignment with the World Health Organization Global Action Plan on Physical Activity.

This work provides a vital evidence base to help us strengthen physical activity policy across Wales and ensure our commitments translate into meaningful action.

Policy and practice stakeholder, PA-EPI Wales Project