Address by Hon. Damian Greaves on the Occassion of World Health Day

Address by Hon. Damian Greaves on the Occassion of World Health Day – April 7, 2002

ADDRESS BY HONOURABLE DAMIAN GREAVES MINISTER FOR HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND FAMILY AFFAIRS ON THE OCCASION OF WORLD HEALTH DAY – APRIL 7, 2002

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RESIDENTS AND CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTRY OF SAINT LUCIA A PLEASANT GOOD DAY TO ALL OF YOU

IT IS INDEED A PLEASURE FOR ME TO ADDRESS YOU ON THE OCCASION OF WORLD HEALTH DAY APRIL 7, 2002. FOR ME, IT IS MY FIRST CELEBRATION OF WORLD HEALTH DAY SINCE ASSUMING OFFICE AS THE MINISTER WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND FAMILY AFFAIRS. I AM ALSO PLEASED TO NOTE THE APPROPRIATE AND TIMELINESS OF THE THEME SELECTED BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) – “AGITA MUNDO”, CONCEPTUALIZED IN SPANISH, IN THE ENGLISH TRANSLATION MEANING “MOVE FOR HEALTH”.

THIS THEME SUGGESTS THAT ALL ELEMENTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ARE OF CRITICAL IMPORTANCE TO MAINTENANCE OF OPTIMUM HEALTH. IN FACT, THE PAN AMERICAN HEALTH ORGANIZATION (PAHO), RECOGNIZING THE VALUE OF THE THEME, HAS ADDED TO THE THEME “ENERGIZE YOUR LIFE”. THE THEME “MOVE FOR HEALTH – ENERGIZE YOUR LIFE” THEREFORE APPLIES TO ACTIVITIES SUCH AS PHYSICAL OR MANUAL WORK, RECREATION, EXERCISE, SPORTS, DANCING AND ALL MOVEMENTS IN EVERYDAY LIFE. THE COMBINATION OF THE IDEA OF PHYSICAL FITNESS AND THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON HEALTH AND WELLBEING IS WHAT INSPIRES THE WORLD HEALTH DAY 2002 CELEBRATION AND THUS THE THEME “MOVE FOR HEALTH”.

WE ALL KNOW THAT THE BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ARE TREMENDOUS. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IS LISTED AS ONE OF THE MAJOR ACTIVITIES IN THE PREVENTION OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES – SUCH AS HEART DISEASES, HYPERTENSION AND DIABETES JUST TO NAME A FEW. RESEARCHERS ARE NOW RECOMMENDING THAT EVERY INDIVIDUAL SHOULD ACCUMULATE APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES OR MORE OF MODERATE-INTENSITY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON MOST, PREFERABLY ALL, DAYS OF THE WEEK. FOR EXAMPLE, WE OFTEN SAY OF OUR AGED FOLKS WHO CONSISTENTLY ENGAGE IN SOME FORM OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, PARTICULARLY FARMING, THAT ON THE DAY THEY STOP BEING ACTIVE THEY ARE LIKELY TO SUCCUMB. IF WE TAKE REFERENCE FROM THESE FACTS, THEN THAT FURTHER JUSTIFIES WHY WE NEED TO BE ACTIVE. IN SUMMARY, INCREASING A PERSON’S LEVEL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY HAS A DIRECT POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH IMPROVED HEALTH.

WHAT WE DO KNOW SUGGESTS THAT REGULAR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REDUCES THE RISK OF DYING PREMATURELY FROM NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES OF WHICH DIABETES, HYPERTENSION, HEART DISEASE ACCOUNT FOR AS MANY AS 27% OR ROUGHLY 3 OUT OF TEN OF OUR TOTAL DEATHS IN SAINT LUCIA. RECENT RESEARCH HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT A LACK OF EXERCISE IS JUST AS MUCH OF A RISK FACTOR FOR HEART ATTACKS, AS SMOKING, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE OR HIGH CHOLESTEROL. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IS KNOWN TO REDUCE THE RISK OF DEVELOPING HEART DISEASE, COLON CANCER AND DIABETES BY AS MUCH AS 50%. THE RISK LEVELS OF HYPERTENSION CAN BE CONSIDERABLY REDUCED YET WE ARE AWARE OF THE FACT THAT HYPERTENSION AFFECTS A SIGNIFICANT PART OF OUR POPULATION.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PREVENTS AND REDUCES THE RISK LEVELS OF LOWER BACK PAINS. THE CHALLENGE OF FACING THE CONSEQUENCES OF ARTHRITIS IS REDUCED WITH MODERATE TO HIGH LEVELS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. I ALSO NEED TO MENTION THE REDUCED RISK AND PREVENTION OF OSTEOPOROSIS OR DETERIORATION OF THE BONE MASS PARTICULARLY IN WOMEN. EXERCISE INCREASES BONE DENSITY, AND IMPROVES STRENGTH AS WELL AS BALANCE, WHICH IN TURN CAN REDUCE THE RISK OF FALLS IN THE ELDERLY. THIS REDUCES MORBIDITY IN THE ELDERLY SINCE FRACTURED HIPS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH A FAIRLY HIGH DEATH RATE. THEREFORE, BUILDING AND MAINTAINING STRONG BONES, MUSCLE AND JOINTS MAKES PEOPLE WHO ARE PREDISPOSED TO CHRONIC, DISABLING CONDITIONS, IMPROVE THEIR STAMINA.

THE ADOPTION OF A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CANNOT BE COMPLETE WITHOUT AN APPROPRIATE WEIGHT CONTROL PROGRAMME. OF COURSE, A FUNDAMENTAL PART OF THAT PROGRAMME MUST BE DIETING AND EXERCISE. NO ONE SPEAKS OF A ROUTINE WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMME WITHOUT MENTIONING DIETING AND EXERCISE AS THE TWO MAIN COMPONENTS. EXERCISE AS A WEIGHT CONTROL MEASURE HELPS IN REDUCING OBESITY BY AS MUCH AS 50% WHEN COMPARED WITH PERSONS WITH SEDENTARY LIFESTYLES.

EXERCISE REDUCES THE CHANCES OF ANXIETY OR DEPRESSION. THE IMMUNE SYSTEM IS CONSIDERABLY IMPROVED BY REGULAR EXERCISE, WITH A DECREASED RISK IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEPRESSION AND OTHER STRESS RELATED PROBLEMS. IT PROMOTES PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING AND REDUCES FEELINGS OF LONELINESS. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, ESPECIALLY SPORT DISCIPLINES, PROMOTES APPROPRIATE CHILD DEVELOPMENT, FOSTERS PREVENTION OF RISKY BEHAVIOURS AND THE INDULGENCE IN UNHEALTHY HABITS SUCH AS ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE, VIOLENCE AND DIETING.

THAT IS WHY TODAY MORE THAN EVER, ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY, OUR PEOPLE – THE YOUNG AND OLD, SPANNING ACROSS SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS ARE FINDING THE TIME TO EXERCISE. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, YOUR EFFORTS AND ACTIONS, WHETHER IT IS AS A RESULT OF A CONSCIOUS DECISION ON YOUR PART DUE TO THE PERCEIVED NEED FOR THE BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OR RECOMMENDATIONS BY YOUR NURSE OR DOCTOR, ARE A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I SINCERELY APPLAUD THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE TAKEN THE INITIATIVE TO ENGAGE YOURSELVES IN REGULAR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.

NO DOUBT, YOUR ACTIONS TODAY HAVE RESULTED IN INCREASED BUSINESS, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITY. I NEED TO ALLUDE TO THE EXPANSION BOTH IN TERMS OF NUMBERS AND MODERNIZATION OF FITNESS CENTERS ON THE ISLAND. THERE IS NOW GREATER DIVERSITY IN THEIR OFFERING. IT IS NO LONGER SIMPLY WEIGHT LIFTING BUT RATHER THE EMPLOYMENT OF STATE OF THE ART TECHNOLOGY GUARANTEED TO YIELD RESULTS.

LARGE PROPORTIONS OF THESE FITNESS CENTERS ARE ALSO EQUIPPED WITH TRAINED INSTRUCTORS AND COACHES, WHICH ALSO MEANS THE EMERGENCE OF CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND SCOPE FOR FUTURE INVESTMENTS. AGAIN, I APPLAUD THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING CHANGE TO AN ENERGIZED LIFE.

THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (JAMA) IN APRIL OF 1995 REPORTED OF A STUDY CONDUCTED AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY. ALUMNI AT THE UNIVERSITY WERE INTERVIEWED AT INTERVALS TO EVALUATE THEIR ACTIVITY LEVEL. THE STUDY CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED THAT EXERCISE IS ASSOCIATED WITH A LOWER DEATH RATE. FURTHERMORE, THE STUDY DEMONSTRATED THAT THE MORE ONE EXERCISES THE GREATER THE BENEFIT. IN ANOTHER STUDY DR. KEN COOPER, OF THE COOPER INSTITUTE OF AEROBIC RESEARCH, FOUND THAT EXERCISE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH A 40 % REDUCTION IN HEART ATTACKS IN FEMALES AND A 60 % REDUCTION IN HEART ATTACKS IN MALES. IN ANOTHER STUDY, HE FOUND THAT PEOPLE WHO WERE IN THE LOWER 20 % OF CARDIOVASCULAR FITNESS HAD A DEATH RATE THAT WAS THREE TIMES HIGHER THAN THE FIT GROUP. THE STUDY ALSO DEMONSTRATED THAT MEN TAKING UP EXERCISE, EVEN AFTER THE AGE OF 60, WOULD INCREASE THEIR LIFE EXPECTANCY.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DOES HAVE OTHER IMPORTANT REWARDS. IT BRINGS SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS, COMMUNITIES AND ECONOMIES IN TERMS OF REDUCED HEALTH CARE COSTS, INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY, LOWER ABSENTEEISM, STAFF TURNOVER, AND BETTER PERFORMANCE AT SCHOOLS AND SPORTING ACTIVITIES.

MY MINISTRY IS COGNIZANT OF THE MANY CHALLENGES FACED IN THE PREVENTION OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES, OFTEN REFERRED TO AS LIFESTYLE DISEASES. WE ARE ALSO WELL AWARE OF THE DIFFICULTIES INVOLVED IN THE PROMOTION OF HEALTHY LIFESTYLES, IN PARTICULAR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AS A DESERVING COURSE OF ACTION NOW, WHICH WILL BE BENEFICIAL IN THE FUTURE. NONETHELESS, MY MINISTRY WILL CONTINUE TO EMBARK ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIES DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE MORE PERSONS TO ENGAGE IN SOME SORT OF SUSTAINED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.

IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL THE STAFF OF MY MINISTRY WILL ENGAGE IN THE FOLLOWING DURING THE ENSUING FINANCIAL YEAR:  TRAINING OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS AND OTHER ALLIED HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN THE BENEFITS AND PHYSIOLOGY OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY/EXERCISE WITH A VIEW TO INCORPORATING SUCH ACTIVITIES INTO CLIENT CARE;  WORK ALONGSIDE THE MINISTRY OF YOUTH AND SPORTS TO PROMOTE THE FORMATION OF ‘WALKERS CLUBS’;  COLLABORATE WITH THE FITNESS CENTERS AND GYMNASIUMS TO INCORPORATE HEALTH EDUCATION INTO TRAINING REGIMES;  IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR, DEVELOP WORKPLACE INTERVENTIONS TO PROMOTE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAMMES;  COLLABORATE WITH MAJOR SUPERMARKETS AND OTHER RETAILERS IN PROMOTING IDEAL FOODS AND APPAREL AS PART OF A PHYSICAL FITNESS CONSCIOUSNESS  COLLABORATE WITH THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION REGARDING THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMME IN SCHOOLS.

ONE OF THE PREMIERE ACTIVITIES IN THIS YEARS WORLD HEALTH DAY CELEBRATION IS A HEALTH FAIR. THE HOSTING OF THE ANNUAL HEALTH FAIR, AN UNDERTAKING OF THE LIONS CLUB, WILL SIGNAL THE ACTUAL COMMENCEMENT OF THESE AFOREMENTIONED PROGRAMMES. THIS YEAR THE HEALTH FAIR WILL BE HELD ON THE GROUNDS OF THE TAPION HOSPITAL ON SATURDAY APRIL 6, 2002. THIS EVENT IS YET ANOTHER INDICATION OF THE COLLABORATIVE ACTION OF THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND FAMILY AFFAIRS, THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES IN THE PURSUIT OF OPTIMUM HEALTH FOR ALL.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, FELLOW SAINT LUCIANS, IT IS WITH MUCH ENTHUSIASM THAT I APPEAL TO YOU TO ENGAGE IN SOME FORM OF EXERCISE. YOU MAY WISH TO TAKE BRISK WALKS WITHIN YOUR COMMUNITY OR WORKPLACE AREA, JOIN SPORTS GROUPS, GO ON NATURE WALKS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, DANCING OR AEROBIC CLASSES, INCREASE THE INTENSITY OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD CHORES, USE THE STAIRS INSTEAD OF THE ELEVATOR OR YOU MAY JUST WANT TO BE CREATIVE.

BEING PHYSICALLY ACTIVE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE EXPENSIVE AND IT DOES NOT NECESSARILY REQUIRE SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT. IT CAN BE DONE ANYWHERE USING A COMBINATION OF ROUTINES. DEVOTE A FEW MINUTES A DAY TO SOME FORM OF EXERCISE AND ENERGIZE YOUR LIFE FOR A BETTER HEALTH. MOVE FOR YOUR HEALTH AND THE WEALTH OF THE NATION.

THANK YOU.

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