The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) yesterday officially launched Caribbean Wellness Day (CWD) 2009 which will be observed on September 12 under the theme Love that Body.

The launch at the CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, included remarks by CARICOM Acting Secretary General and Director of Human and Social Development, Dr Edward Greene, and CARICOM consultant on Chronic Disease Prevention Control, Dr Alafia Samuels who was available through video conferencing.

Also participating, via video conference, were Ministries of Health and media representatives from various countries including Jamaica, St. Lucia, Bahamas, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.

This annual event focuses on reducing Chronic Con-communicable Diseases (CNCDs) and is expected to build on last year’s inaugural Caribbean Wellness Day.

In his remarks, Dr Greene stated that the main emphasis of yesterday’s event is to inculcate values of a wellness revolution in the Caribbean.

According to him, there is need to advocate and work together to ensure that Wellness Day 2009 translates into a positive sustainable set of programmes for every day of the year.

Dr Samuels, in her remarks, pointed out that at least 16 countries of the region will celebrate the second anniversary of the Port of Spain Declaration issued by the CARICOM Heads of Government in September 2007, “Uniting to stop the epidemic of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases.”

“…although Caribbean Wellness Day is just one day, we will use it to jump start our wellness behaviours,” she noted.

Among the slate of activities for the Secretariat for the week of 7-12 September are: a lifestyle management seminar, a soca-aerobathon, health checks and healthy cooking demonstrations.

The observance of Wellness Day was one of the decisions taken when the Caribbean Community Heads of Government – deeply concerned about the physical, economic and social burdens caused by lifestyle related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease and cancer – met in Port of Spain on September 15, 2007, to design a plan of action to stop the epidemic of Non-CNCDs.

The first Wellness Day was observed last year on September 13 and showcased national and community level activities promoting healthy living, and encouraged residents to develop good health practices.

This year emphasis is being placed on physical activities in the workplace, schools and faith-based organisations.

A media campaign is also being launched with simple messages appealing to Caribbean citizens to avoid tobacco use, exercise for at least 30 minutes daily, eat less salt and dried foods, check blood pressure regularly and avoid harmful use of alcohol.