India as well as Andhra Pradesh are experiencing an epidemiological transition. We find that prevalence of non communicable diseases is on the rise. Appropriate choice of positive and healthy life style is fundamental to prevention of many non communicable diseases. Keeping this in view the WHO identified the theme "Move for Health" for the World Health Day celebrations on 7th April, 2002. The "Move for Health" theme refers to the need for regular exercise and avoidance of sedentary life style. The Institute of Health Systems (IHS) conducted a Public Health Symposium on Costs of Poor Health Habits to highlight three important risk factors, all linked to the life style of our people. These are regular exercise, moderate drinking, and no smoking. Poor health habits such as sedentary life style, smoking and binge drinking impose personal as well as external costs. Personal costs are by way of reduced life expectancy, poor quality of life, and burden on the family. External costs are on account of increased usage of health care services, and increased risk to the life of others. For example, a large number of deaths due to road traffic accidents are attributable to drunken driving. The Symposium was organized on 7th April 2002, to coincide with the World Health Day.

The symposium brought together top public health experts to summarize available evidence about sedentary life style, heavy drinking and smoking as risk factors for various health problems. The potential impact of positive life style choices such as regular exercise, moderate or no drinking, and no smoking on people's health and the country's economy was also reviewed.

The event was announced to the public through posters, press conferences, newspaper advertisements, and special invitations. The IHS faculty prepared a review of literature on Sedentary Life Style, Heavy Drinking and Smoking. Copies of the literature review were made available to the participants of the symposium. A poster preparation was organized to inform the public about health system research activities of the IHS in various areas such as (a) National Burden of Disease, (b) Health Care Quality Assurance, (c) Health Sector Reform, (d) Health System Performance Assessment.

His Excellency, Dr. C. Rangarajan, Governor of Andhra Pradesh inaugurated the symposium. At the Poster Presentation, the Governor discussed with the concerned faculty about various topics presented in the posters such as Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) statistics in AP, per capita health sector expenditure in AP, hospital occupancy improvement etc. Th~ Governor also inquired about the concept of Health System Responsiveness, and mentioned about the Accreditation Bill. At the Book Exhibition, which was located in the North Lounge, the Governor expressed interest to read the various IHS publications.

Honorable Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Dr. N. Janardhan Reddy presided over the Symposium. Shri. K. Madhav Rao, State Election Commissioner, AP, many other dignitaries, and concerned citizens graced the occasion. Experts for many areas relevant to the three life style issues presented the state-of-the-art to an audience consisting of public health specialists, health activists, and allied health professionals. We present here the proceedings of the one day Symposium.

Prasanta Mahapatra, George CK, Samatha Reddy PR & Others..