The Caribbean Community is hosting its inaugural Caribbean Wellness Day on September 13 to mobilize citizens to engage in activities that will promote and sustain healthy lifestyles.
In a press release the Secretariat said observance of Caribbean Wellness Day was one of the decisions taken when the Heads of Government met in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on September 15. The Heads were “deeply concerned about the physical, economic and social burdens caused by lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease, obesity and cancer” and designed a plan of action to stop the epidemic of chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
Caricom said the Day will be observed annually on the second Saturday in September and 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.
