A National Health Campaign has been launched in Anguilla to get persons moving towards a healthy direction by lowering their risk of contracting a chronic disease. It is a commendable initiative by the National Chronic Disease Unit, and the Department of Sports, both of which are attracting much official and community support.
The initiative was put into perspective at the launch of the campaign on Tuesday, May 15, by Ms. Rochelle Rogers of the Chronic Disease Unit in the Ministry of Health.
“In 2016, the Ministry of Health and Social Development undertook a national survey of over 2,000 persons aged 18 to 69 to examine the various risk factors for certain chronic diseases in the population of Anguilla,” she explained. “The STEPS report, released in February 2018, indicated two primary areas of concern. First, almost 90% of adults in Anguilla eat less than five servings of fruits and vegetables per day; and second, over 60 % of adults in Anguilla do not engage in healthy levels of physical activity.
“According to the World Health Organisation, poor diet and physical inactivity are two primary risk factors for various chronic diseases including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and certain cancers. Armed with this knowledge, about the existing risk factors in the population of Anguilla, the National Chronic Disease Unit and the Department of Sports have teamed up with various partners to launch a National Health Campaign entitled ‘Move Ya Body.'”
The health worker added: “We acknowledge that additional efforts and partnerships with sectors for long-term planning and programming would be required. However, we are confident that this campaign is the start needed to ensure that the numbers are trending in a good direction when the next time the STEPS survey is repeated.”
Director of Sports, Mr. Andre Collins, explained that, among other things, the campaign sought “to help persons to improve their diets by choosing to eat five servings of fruits or vegetables a day. Research shows that about 400 grams of fruit and/or vegetables can contribute significantly to improved health.”
He further stated that efforts would be made, in cooperation with supermarkets, vegetable farmers, and other stakeholders, regarding information as to where the needed fresh fruits and vegetables could be obtained. Such information and recipes would be posted on the campaign’s website.
Mr. Collins reported that, as part of the campaign, there would be social media competitions; food demonstrations in partnership with various nutritionists and other stakeholders; and persons would be encouraged to embark on home gardens in partnership with the Department of Agriculture to promote healthy eating.
“Having encouraged persons to eat well, we will want them to move around,” he continued. “We will be having a caravan going around the island. Over the next six months we will be visiting various areas to promote fun and simple activities, engaging people of all walks of life, including adults and children of all ages. We will have walks and runs, swimming events, and a lot of other community engagements to promote physical activities across Anguilla.
“Another thing we see as significant is a senior citizens’ programme to help persons become more active. Research shows that, as we become older, our physical activity decreases. However, there is a direct link with that and the onset and progression of certain diseases.”
Mr. Collins, who spoke on various other matters connected with the National Health Campaign, further stated: “We want to raise people’s awareness and so the platform we are going to use will be basically our website where you can find us at www.moveya bodyAnguilla.com. We have pages dedicated to nutrition and physical activity, and there are exercises and each of them is described how it is done.”
Much commendation for the National Health Campaign was expressed by the Permanent Secretary, Health, Mr. Foster Rogers; the Director of the Chronic Disease Unit, Mrs. Twyla Bradshaw-Richardson; the outgoing PAHO Country Representative in Anguilla, Ms. Katrina Smith; and Dr. Foy, wife of the Governor of Anguilla.
