NLIS 1
June 15, 2001
(Health and Community Services)

Heart Health focus of two-day workshop

The Newfoundland and Labrador Heart Health Program (NLHHP) will hold its fifth provincial Heart Health workshop in St. John's on Friday and Saturday. The workshop, We're On the Right Track, will bring together community volunteers, health and recreation representatives, coalition members, partner organizations, community agencies, and government departments, to discuss their efforts in promoting Heart Health across the province.

NLHHP is a community-based health promotion program aimed at improving health and reducing the rate of heart disease in the province. It is jointly funded by Health Canada and the provincial Department of Health and Community Services and was officially launched in 1990.

"We are committed to encouraging and promoting a healthier lifestyle among our residents," said Gerald Smith, Acting Minister of Health and Community Services. "We know this province has a high rate of cardiovascular disease and it is through the NLHHP that we can continue to educate people to eat better, exercise, and stop smoking, so that they can improve their health and reduce the risk of heart disease."

Through its network of six Regional Heart Health Coalitions located in Labrador, Northern, Western, Central, Eastern, and the St. John's regions, NLHHP has been very successful in working with communities to stimulate heart health activities across the province.

"I commend the volunteers and health professionals who remain committed to changing people's attitudes towards their lifestyles and creating an environment that helps people make healthier choices," said Minister Smith. "It is through such co-operation that we continue to work together to have healthier people and stronger communities in the future."

The purpose of the workshop is to foster information exchange around successes and lessons learned; showcase Heart Health and partner organization initiatives; provide a forum for networking and sharing; and, facilitate knowledge and skills development.

Among some of the successful programs that have been initiated through NLHHP with their partner organizations include: the Heart Smart Restaurant program; the Ticker Tom Heart Health program; lifestyle clinics; walking clubs; and; the Type 2 Diabetes Prevention and Health Promotion Strategy.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Heart Health Program has been a leader in the promotion of health for more than 10 years, said Dr. Catherine Donovan, medical health officer with Health and Community Services Eastern, and a long-time supporter of the program.

"We know that a large portion of the illness and death associated with heart disease is preventable and we can avoid much of its social and economic cost," said Dr. Donovan. "Innovative, community-based activities throughout the province are contributing to the prevention of heart disease as well as other chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes."

The workshop is taking place at the Holiday Inn with sessions starting at 9:30 a.m. this morning and continuing until 4:00 p.m. On Saturday, sessions begin at 9:00 a.m. and will continue until approximately 2:45 p.m.


Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-1377.

NOTE TO EDITORS: The media are welcome to attend the workshop and the agenda is available upon request. The contact at the Holiday Inn is Carol Ann MacDonald, manager of the Heart Health Program.

2001 06 15                                                            11:35 a.m.