Walking and wellbeing: the reality for people living with long term health conditions

Emma Anderson, our Manager of Movement for Health

Walking is often referred to as ‘a wonder drug’ with health advocates saying that if they could prescribe walking in the form of medication, everyone would receive a prescription. For years, walking has been hailed as an accessible and affordable way to boost our physical, mental, and social health. Why are we not all doing it then?

Our Walking and Wheeling Survey explored people’s motivations and barriers to walking. The results show good awareness that walking supports good health and wellbeing. 78% of respondents agreed that this was the reason they chose to walk.

However, people living with long term health conditions had a different relationship with walking. Significantly fewer agreed that they enjoy walking for their health, with more tending to disagree that walking helps them to relax (7% of those with a condition vs 4% without). 6% said anxiety and mental health were barriers to walking, compared to none of the respondents living without a health condition. 

These people tend to be the poorest and the oldest members of Scotland’s population. They face health inequalities, resulting in fewer years in good health and a lower life expectancy. 

Scotland’s latest Health Survey shows that around 3,000 preventable deaths are directly linked to physical inactivity. Around 6 in 10 (62%) adults can meet the recommended physical activity guidelines. Unsustainable pressures are set to continue as half (50%) of adults are living with at least one long term health condition, with our most deprived communities being affected the most.

We regularly engage with the Scottish Government and representatives from all parties in the Scottish Parliament to call for more attention and investment to be put towards increasing physical activity levels. We support health and social care professionals, leisure and physical activity providers, and are a hub for relevant policy, tools and practise across Scotland. 

For people living with health conditions, it is not always simply a case of walking out of their front door. Symptoms may limit someone’s confidence to start a walking journey, and chronic pain and tiredness are also often barriers to walking. Respondents to the Scottish Health survey reported that the biggest barrier to being physically active is that their health is not good enough.

Walking Scotland’s Health Walk Network works across Scotland’s communities to provide opportunities to start walking in safety, with others and at their own pace. Programmes like these are vital if we want Scotland’s least active to have a positive relationship with movement. Health Walks have been called a lifeline for isolated people, providing a weekly focus, a supportive community, and a reason to move. 

Supporting more people to walk and wheel must be a priority for Scotland. By doing so, we can address inequalities, make communities safer, greener, and support more people’s health and wellbeing.

Published: 4 February 2026