All set for second annual Caribbean Wellness Day

Sep 04, 2009 News

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It is safe to conclude that CARICOM countries will be abuzz with activities on Saturday, September 12, as the second annual Caribbean Wellness Day is observed.
This conclusion follows a lively and informative tele-conference yesterday that linked Guyana with St Lucia, Trinidad, Barbados and Jamaica among other territories.
The event, which focuses on reducing Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (CNCDs), is expected to build on last year’s inaugural staging and could include participation from 16 countries.
Yesterday it was disclosed that several countries have already gone full speed ahead with preparations to promote healthy lifestyles through physical activity and to “make every day a wellness day.”
It is no secret that the Caribbean carries the heaviest burden of ill-health, disability and death from chronic non-communicable in all the Americas and that several countries have 3 – 6 times the mortality from diabetes, compared to the USA. However there is good news that up to 80% of heart and circulation diseases and 40% of cancers can be prevented or lessoned.
Dr Alafia Samuels Consultant: Chronic Disease Prevention, CARICOM at yesterday’s official launch of this year’s venture, expressed the need for a way to be found for Caribbean people to enjoy a new healthy life. In her call to the society – government, private sector, civil society, churches, schools, workplaces, to help to “make the right choice the easy choice”, Dr Samuels reiterated several needs as Caribbean Wellness Day approaches.
She said there is need for healthier fast food options, including vegetarian dishes, in school and workplace cafeterias, with nothing deep fat fried.
“We need safe lighted pathways to walk, and even better if we have a little music or a dance instructor to do the ‘Electric Slide’. If you are having fun, you will keep doing it, and that is the key to success.”
Dr Samuels confirmed that at least 16 countries of the region will be hosting celebrations to mark the historic Port of Spain Declaration, “Uniting to Stop the Epidemic of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases.
Three of the countries – The Bahamas, Saint Lucia and Jamaica highlighted their plans and Dr Samuel assured that the planning committee is getting some levels of participation from countries outside of CARICOM.
For the first time the materials are available on the website in the languages of the wider Caribbean including English, Spanish and French. “In the future, we hope to make this a Pan Caribbean affair, including all countries in the region.” The Commonwealth of the Bahamas takes the lead with an unprecedented “face-off” between preachers and politicians in a week of sporting competition for which the final showdown is set for September 12 under the slogan, Day of Redemption.
Barbados will launch, on the same day, a year-long physical activity programme under the patronage of Ms Marie-Josephine Mara Thompson, wife of the Prime Minister. The Ministry of Health in that country will also be promoting vehicle-free streets in Bridgetown, smoke-free environments and providing safe spaces for physical activity and healthy eating. Broad Street, on the island, will be closed to vehicular traffic from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Activities are expected to begin with a five kilometre fun walk around Bridgetown, starting at 7:00 a.m.
In addition to parish-based activities, Jamaica plans to block the roads surrounding one of the first city’s centres – Half-Way-Tree Square – to launch a National 5K Run in collaboration with the Reggae Jamdammers Running Club of Kingston. It will be the first of a series leading up to the annual Reggae Marathon in December.
Meanwhile, Saint Lucia will continue to expand its ongoing exercise programmes in six health centres across that island even while launching a National Walk commencing on Monday, 7 September to Saturday, 12 September.
St Vincent and the Grenadines will engage in a week of running, walking and biking competitions which will see the grand finals taking place at the Sports Complex in Queenstown on Wellness Day.
Trinidad and Tobago will again launch their second ‘Streets for Wellness’ initiative in which they block several thoroughfares every Sunday to engage in physical activity. This collaborative initiative with the Private Sector will start on the first Sunday in September and continue through the year, as Trinidad and Tobago seeks to make every day a wellness day.
In the British Virgin Islands, the health ministry is mobilizing community-based activities that will include the launch of a 10-week campaign dubbed ‘Walking Your Way to Health’ with the aim of promoting walking activities at several levels while focusing on physical activity to ensure sustainability and good health.
In addition to promoting physical activity, the Community is also focused on making everyday a wellness day with emphasis on tobacco free environments, regular exercise, salt consumption reduction, alcohol avoidance and regular blood pressure checks.
On the slate of activities proposed by the Secretariat for the period September 7-12 are a lifestyle management seminar, a soca-erobathon,’ a ‘walk good; walk healthy’ day, health checks and healthy cooking demonstrations.
The observance of Caribbean Wellness Day was one of the decisions taken when the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government – deeply concerned about the physical, economic and social burdens caused by lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease, and cancer – met in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on September 15, 2007 to design a plan of action to stop the epidemic of chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
The first Wellness Day was observed in 2008, September 13, showcasing national and community level activities which promoted healthy living and encouraged residents to develop good health practices.
This year, Caribbean Civil society and particularly members of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition have been invited to take the lead in planning and executing activities within their country.
The slogan for Caribbean Wellness Day is still ‘Love That Body’ with particular emphasis being placed on physical activity in workplaces, schools and faith-based organizations.
A media campaign has also been launched with simple messages appealing to Caribbean citizens to avoid tobacco use; exercise for at least 30 minutes daily; eat less salt and less fat and dried foods; check blood pressure regularly and avoid harmful use of alcohol.

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