It has become quite apparent to modern societies that public health has reached its lowest point in several decades. The aforementioned fact may seem rather odd, considering the advances in medicine, as well as the numerous technological privileges widely available to mankind today. Many arguments have been raised about the issue, with a fair share putting the blame on the modern way of life, which has made exercise optional and has driven people away from sports. For some, the issue can be tackled by an increase in the number of sports facilities, while others deem this solution unsuccessful and a blatant waste of time. But could there be some truth in both statements?
   Naturally, a greater number of available facilities does have its obvious positive effects.  To begin with, a decent variety of “unconventional” sport facilities like tennis courts, fencing schools or skateboard parks may allow several people to find an activity that is of interest to them in close proximity to their place of residence.  As a result, they will be able to exercise more without the feeling of dullness and pressure. Moreover, these facilities are also places for socializing and making new acquaintances, which can also be quite the incentive for some people to put on their sneakers and stretch their backs. To conclude, some of these facilities can also be used by the local schools to show students the importance of exercise, thus giving societies a head start when it comes to raising healthy and active members that choose to avoid the sedentary way of life.
   Of course, boosting the amount of available sports facilities will certainly not deal with the issue of public health in its entirety, if we look at the bigger picture. The problem stems from the fact that the modern day of life has provided a lot of fertile ground for some really bad habits, like smoking, drug use, overeating and excessive consumerism. These adversaries to public health need their own, separate solutions, and some of them require a large investment in time and money, making the erection of new sports facilities seem like a distant luxury. To further the plot, an unmotivated adult will not magically start exercising out of the blue just because a swimming pool was built a few blocks from their house. Some deeper changes must be made before turning all our focus and resources to sports and other similar activities.
  To conclude, providing citizens with more sports facilities and means to exercise will not combat the deteriorating public health on its own, but it certainly is a step in the right direction. Whether it should be a priority or an alternative solution depends on the needs of each community, and the willingness of its members to get back on their feet. Who knows, maybe the day that exercise returns to everyone’s daily routine is not that far away.