Jamaica getting ready to move
JAMAICANS ARE invited to join the Ministry of Health’s team at Emancipation Park, New Kingston, on Friday, April 7, for the launch of the ‘Jamaica Moves’ (#JaMoves) campaign.
The national initiative will feature free health checks, as well as activities to promote the benefits of healthy diet and exercise.
The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) will be providing a shuttle service from the Half-Way Tree Transportation Centre for persons wishing to attend the event.
Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton said the campaign is one aspect of a larger initiative to promote healthy lifestyle habits among Jamaicans in order to reduce non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, heart conditions, cancers, and chronic kidney disease, among others.
“It is a movement to engage more persons in physical activity. It has been proven that consistent physical activity and a proper diet play a significant role in health,” he said.
30 MINUTES A DAY
Tufton is urging Jamaicans to engage in a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily, which will help in reducing the onset of NCDs.
The Jamaica Moves campaign will focus on communitylevel interventions to facilitate increased physical activity among the population.
As part of this drive, the Government will be developing walking trails in each parish and partnering with local walking and running groups to garner more support and interest in the movement.
A roadshow will be visiting all parishes to spread the health message.
The ministry has developed the National Strategic and Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs for the period 2013 to 2018.
The plan covers seven main categories of diseases – cardiovascular conditions, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, sickle cell, mental health disorders and injuries.