(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) For the first time in its 35 year history, the Caribbean Community will come together on 13 September 2008 to mobilize its citizens – young and old – to engage in activities that will promote and sustain healthy lifestyles, in what will be the initial observance of Caribbean Wellness Day, under the theme: Love That Body.
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, obesity and cancer – met in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on 15 September 2007 to design a plan of action to stop the epidemic of chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
To be observed annually on the second Saturday in September, Caribbean Wellness Day will showcase national and community level activities to promote healthy living and encourage residents to develop good health practices. Among the activities proposed for the day are the introduction of vehicle-free streets and smoke-free environments to provide opportunities and safe spaces for physical activity and healthy eating, free from exhaust emissions tobacco smoke and other pollutants.
The CARICOM Secretariat will also be engaged in a week of activities starting on 8 September, leading up to 13 September. These activities include a fitness walk on Monday, Socarobics exercise on Tuesday and Wednesday, health checks on Thursday and health display on Friday. On Saturday, the Secretariat will convene at the Guyana Defence Force Sports Ground for its annual Family Day in which it promotes physical activity through Sport.
The event will be addressed by CARICOM Secretary-General, H.E. Edwin Carrington; Chairman of the World Health Assembly, Dr. the Hon Leslie Ramsammy, who is also Guyana’s Minister of Health and Dr. Kathleen Israel, who will be representing the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).
