(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana)  With less than two weeks to go to Caribbean Wellness Day, 13 September, plans are in high gear across the Caribbean Region to mark the day.

Bermuda, which already has a national healthy lifestyle programme called Well Bermuda, will continue to strengthen that programme in partnership with the private sector and Non-Government Organizations (NGO’s) in that country. In addition, they plan to distribute leaflets to all households, focusing on acceptable ranges for risk factors, encouraging health checks and indicating the type of screening necessary for varying age group. For the national activity, Bermuda plans to have a torch relay from district to district and anchoring in its city, Hamilton.

Dominica has planned a week of activities leading up to CWD, which includes Public Service Announcements (PSAs) to promote healthy lifestyles; physical activities such as cycling, dancing, mass aerobics and cricket competitions in each district. A month of activities has already commenced in Nevis, under the slogan Choose to Move; Love That Body. In addition, a wellness march is slated for September 9, while all Saturdays in September have been devoted to parish-based walks.

Caribbean Wellness Day was introduced in 2008 as a part of several actions taken by the CARICOM Heads of Government to fight Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (CNCDs).

The day will be observed under the theme Love that Body, and is expected to build on last year’s observance.