Roadtown, Tortola - Community activities will be spotlighted during the second Caribbean Wellness Day on Saturday, September 12 under the theme ‘Love That Body”.
Health Education Officer in the Ministry of Health and Social Development Ms. Ivy George, who is coordinating plans for the Territory’s observance, said all communities throughout the Virgin Islands are being mobilised to stage localised events.
“A coordinator has been appointed in each community and they will be responsible for working with key stakeholders such as churches, schools, businesses, and non-government organisations to plan community events on September 12,” she said.
In addition the Health Education Officer said a 10-week campaign dubbed ‘Walking Your Way to Health’ will be launched during next month’s celebration of Caribbean Wellness Day. “The aim is to promote walking activities at several levels while focussing on physical activity to ensure sustainability and good health,” Ms. George noted.
The Health Education Officer reminded the public about the purpose for Caribbean Wellness Day, which is to heighten awareness of the risk factors for chronic diseases and to help in mobilising a sustained response to physical inactivity and unhealthy eating.
The day’s celebration was one of the decisions taken when the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government met in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad on September 15, 2007.
That decision was triggered by the leaders’ deep concern about the physical, economic, and social burdens caused by lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, obesity, and cancers. Caribbean Wellness Day was first observed around the region last year.
The day is observed annually on the second Saturday in September to showcase national and community level activities to promote healthy living and encourage community members to develop good health practices. These include regular physical exercise, eating healthy foods, and becoming advocates for smoke-free environments and safe spaces for physical activities.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development aspires to provide leadership that promotes health, social wellbeing, and a safe environment as positive resources for living and sustainable development of the Virgin Islands.
British Virgin Islands News