In the final sentence about “voting with our feet” in her piece on “the miracle cure” (G2, 4 October), Sarah Boseley unwittingly offers a clue to a little noticed and highly unfashionable route to better health – active politics. But it must be with a local party that relies on volunteers to deliver leaflets at regular intervals. It is the ideal antidote to sitting around passing resolutions. In my area the gradients work wonders for the heart rates of septuagenarians, well placed to go out during daylight hours year round. It is good for arms, legs, the brain and whatever else is required to reach ground-level letter boxes. And, while refusing to pay gym fees, you can look after your health and your pocket and, with a bit of luck, improve your local community (perhaps even the country). What other activity can offer that sort of synergy?
Geoff Reid
Bradford
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