Minister Grange Urges Healthy Living

KINGSTON — Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon Olivia Grange, is encouraging individuals to engage in healthier lifestyle practices by promoting physical activities.

Whilst endorsing Welch’s Heart Health Fund Run planned for Sunday (November 27), Miss Grange noted that a healthy lifestyle can reduce incidences of non-communicable diseases, while assisting in relieving stress and increasing productivity.

She was speaking at the launch of the Fund Run at the Altamont Court Hotel, New Kingston, on Wednesday (November 2).

She said that lifestyle illnesses can be avoided, or managed more effectively, if more Jamaicans participate in sports and get active.

"This is one of the reasons we are putting more emphasis on sports at the grassroots level. We want to increase participation. We want to see more people, at every age, playing sports.  The more active we are, the healthier we will be,” she said.

She noted that the Ministry recognises the full value of sports, adding that it not only brings people together and help to raise national pride and international profile, but it also helps to maintain healthy lifestyles. 

The Sports Minister commended the Heart Foundation, for the integral role they have been playing since inception.

"You saw the difficulties that patients with cardiovascular diseases face, and you decided to give a helping hand by offering services at a subsidised rate. But, more than that, you also decided to work towards lowering the instances of heart attacks in Jamaica,” she pointed out.

The Heart Health Fund Run is a sponsored walk, jog or run in which schools, companies or any other interested group can participate. Groups are encouraged to collect sponsorship forms and flyers at the Heart Foundation of Jamaica, 28 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston.

The event will run between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. at the National Stadium (East), and will feature entertainment, spot prizes, refreshments and medical checks by the Heart Foundation.

Awards for groups who collect the most sponsorship, or participate with the largest team, will be presented at a ceremony during Heart Month in February, 2012.

Executive Director of the Foundation, Deborah Chen, explained that funds from the event will be used to keep the Foundation going.

Brand Manager of Welch's, Joffia Johnson, said frequent participation in physical activities can yield lifelong benefits to individuals and their families, and encouraged all to do so.

The Heart Health Fund Run has been an ongoing event since 1987, and not only raises funds to support the Foundation, but also emphasizes the benefits of exercise to a healthy heart.

According to the Foundation’s newsletter, heart disease is the number one cause of death among men and women in Jamaica and most adult diseases begin in childhood. It also stated that making a healthy lifestyle change is the general prescription given, when diagnosed with a risk factor for heart disease.         

By Chris Patterson, JIS Reporter