Health and Community Services
Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
September 29, 2015

Building Healthy Communities

World Heart Day Promotes Awareness of Health and Well-Being

The Provincial Government is recognizing World Heart Day today (Tuesday, September 29) to promote greater awareness among Newfoundlanders and Labradorians about the risks of heart disease and stroke, and the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices.

"Evidence tells us that up to 80 per cent of premature heart disease and stroke is preventable. I encourage everyone to make healthy choices to reduce the risks of developing heart disease and stroke. Our health and sense of well-being are vital and it is never too late to adopt a healthier lifestyle, which can achieve tremendous benefits in both the short and the long term."
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services

Improved heart health can be achieved by making any number of changes in a person's everyday routine. Examples include moderate exercise, safe and healthy food choices, being smoke-free, and limiting the intake of foods that contribute to high blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels.

"The choices we make today can have an enormous impact on our future health. That is why the Provincial Government continues to collaborate with partners to implement a provincial wellness plan, a recreation and sport strategy, a healthy aging policy framework and numerous initiatives designed to raise awareness, build knowledge and skills, and create environments which support healthy living in the home, school and community."
- The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Provincial Government supports a number of initiatives to promote heart health, such as:

• Provincial Stroke Steering Committee;
• Chronic Disease Self-Management Program;
• Smoking Cessation Program for Individuals with Low Income;
• Community Healthy Living Fund Grants Program;
• Annual funding for community groups such as the Alliance for the Control of Tobacco and the Newfoundland and Labrador Lung Association's Smokers' Helpline
• Physical activity initiatives in schools and communities; and
• Promoting healthy eating through the Eat Great and Participate Program

"This year's World Heart Day theme of Creating Heart-Healthy Environments, is one that aligns closely with the Heart and Stroke Foundation's mission of preventing disease, saving lives and promoting recovery."
- Mary Ann Butt, CEO, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Provincial Government works with a variety of community groups, as well as federal, provincial and territorial partners, to identify ways to reduce the risks of heart disease and stroke.

QUICK FACTS:

• The Provincial Government is recognizing World Heart Day to promote greater awareness among Newfoundlanders and Labradorians about heart disease and stroke and the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices.
• The Provincial Government works with a variety of community groups, as well as federal, provincial and territorial partners, to identify ways to reduce the risks of heart disease and stroke.
• Some examples of Provincial Government initiatives to promote heart health include the Provincial Stroke Steering Committee and the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program Improving Health: My Way.

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Media contacts:

Tina Williams Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 728-2837 tinawilliams@gov.nl.ca	Heather May Director of Communications Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development 709-729-0928, 697-5061 heathermay@gov.nl.ca
Sharon Hollingsworth Communications Manager Heart and Stroke Foundation (NL) 902-252-5609 shollingsworth@hsfpei.ca

2015 09 29                              9:50 a.m.