In keeping with government�s commitment to promote wellness, the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Health and Community Services, today launched a series of television ads featuring local, well-known personalities to support the directions of the Provincial Wellness Plan. Snook (Pete Soucy) also attended the launch to talk about his involvement in the campaign and the importance of healthy living.

"Our government is committed to promoting healthy living among all residents of our province as a way to encourage wellness and to prevent long term health issues," said Minister Wiseman. "We are moving forward with the implementation of our Provincial Wellness Plan following our investment of $3.7 million in Budget 2006. The television ads will position our wellness messages front and centre across the province. I encourage residents to visit the Go Healthy Web site (gohealthy.ca) to get further information on how they can lead a healthy lifestyle."

The first series of seven, 15-second, ads feature local personalities Ryane Clowe, Jenny Gear, Rex Goudie, Brad Gushue, Snook (Pete Soucy), Bernie Stapleton and Kim Stockwood. Each ad features an individual explaining, in his or her own words, the importance of staying healthy and how they personally maintain a healthy lifestyle.

"In order to encourage and motivate people to lead healthy lifestyles, it is important not to prescribe how they should stay healthy, but to lead by example as each of these individuals do by eating healthy, staying active and being smoke free," said Minister Wiseman. "Consistently reinforcing the benefits of healthy living through this campaign will contribute to improved health outcomes for the people of our province."

"I believe in the promotion of healthy living and I've always felt that prevention is the best cure," said Pete Soucy (Snook), actor/comedian.

Minister Wiseman added, "I would like to thank Snook and all the individuals featured in the ads for their voluntary participation in this campaign."

Government released the Provincial Wellness Plan in March 2006. Phase I of the plan is currently being implemented and focuses on healthy eating, physical activity, tobacco control, and injury prevention. This is being done through strengthened partnerships, public awareness, health promotion and evaluation. Phase II will consider other wellness priority areas such as mental health promotion, child and youth development, environmental health and health protection.

Key initiatives of the Wellness Plan introduced to date include Healthy Students, Healthy Schools, the School Food Guidelines, the Provincial Food and Nutrition Framework and the Provincial Wellness Grants Program whereby government announced $695,000 in funding to support 24 community groups and organizations in promoting the benefits of healthy living. Additional information on the Provincial Wellness Plan and healthy living can be obtained at � gohealthy.ca

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Media contact:
Tansy Mundon
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 685-1741
tansymundon@gov.nl.ca

2007 02 22                                                   2:15 p.m.