| Disease | Risk Reduction via Regular Physical Activity |
| Heart Disease | 40% |
| Stroke | 27% |
| Colon Cancer | 25% |
| Breast Cancer | 24% |
| Type 2 Diabetes | 30% |
| Hypertension | 50% |
| Source: A Fresh Approach in Practice – NHS North West and the FSEM UK 2011 | |
The Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine (FSEM) UK has responded to the Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee Preventative Agenda Inquiry, emphasising the risk reduction for many common conditions and the cost savings which can be made by greater use of Sport and Exercise Medicine (SEM) services in the NHS.
The FSEM’s response outlines why Sport and Exercise Medicine is uniquely placed to provide skilled services across both Exercise Medicine and Musculoskeletal Medicine which can vastly improve healthcare outcomes for many common conditions like arthritis, heart disease, cancer and mental health, through working with existing healthcare teams in the NHS.
Over a 10 year period, the NHS Tayside MSK Clinic, a Sport and Exercise Medicine led Musculoskeletal Medicine service running in Scotland, seeing approximately 800 patients per year, has created a £500k – £650k saving through re-directing traditional Orthopaedic referrals.