Photos: DPT Hosts Wellness Day

March 8, 2012

Senator Vincent Ingham, in his role as Junior Minister of Health, spoke at the opening of the Department of Public Transportation’s Wellness Day yesterday [Mar.7].

“I am excited to be here today to mark the Department of Public Transportation’s second Wellness Day which is being extended to all Ministry of Transport employees from 10:30am to 1:30pm,” said Senator Ingham.

“The objective of today is to provide information to Ministry of Transport employees which will promote and encourage healthy lifestyle choices, so that everyone can live their ‘Best Life’.

“There will be free health screenings courtesy of the Health Promotions Team and the Diabetes Resource Centre.
The organizers have also partnered with other healthcare providers who will provide mini foot exams, lung function tests and even mini massages.

“Thank you to the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, the Bermuda Hospitals Board, the Women’s Resource Centre, People’s Pharmacy, Ultimate Imaging, KErin Oral Services – to name a few organizations – which will also be manning various information booths.

“Thank you also to Barritts and Butterfield & Vallis who have donated water and healthy snack choices today and to Dunkley’s Dairy who will operate a booth where a representative will provide healthy food options as well as wellness flyers.

“DPT will promote its Coronary Health Improvement Project (known as ‘CHIP’), a scientifically proven lifestyle programme that can prevent and may even reverse many chronic western lifestyle diseases such as Diabetes, Hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, Heart Disease and Obesity.

“As some of you will be aware, heart disease is the leading cause of death in Bermuda. In 2007, 47 per cent of all deaths were due to cardio vascular disease. That’s almost HALF of all deaths on this island.

“In addition, according to the 2011 Health in Review Report, obesity, diabetes and Congestive Heart Failure continue to plague our island at alarming rates – rates above the average for OECD countries.

“Women in Bermuda, for example, have the highest number of diabetes-related lower extremity amputations out of all the 30 countries in the OECD.

“Of further concern, the report shows that 24 per cent of Bermudian adults are considered obese while 19 per cent of young Bermudians (aged 11 to 18) are considered overweight or obese.

“These numbers are startling – and are one of the reasons why events like today’s are so important in our community.

“Today’s attendees will be given a passport to be stamped at the various health booths. On completion of a 90 per cent minimum booth visitation they will receive a ‘giveaway’ and be entered into a draw for small prizes as incentives to promote the continued pursuit of a healthy lifestyle.

“So in closing I would like to say Take Care, Live Well & Healthy, Be safe and have a great day!”

Click to enlarge photos: