Message from the Minister of Health and the Minister of State for Public Health

Move for Health Day

May 10 is Move for Health Day, a worldwide initiative coordinated by the World Health Organization to promote the importance of physical activity. It is part of the much broader Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, which helps give countries options on to how to address two of the most common causes of non-communicable diseases: unhealthy diet and physical inactivity.

Move for Health Day aims to promote national and local physical activity policies and programs and to increase regular activity for everyone. The focus this year is on "Supportive Environments", since the more friendly environments are to physical activity, the more likely they are to encourage people to be active on a regular basis.

The Government of Canada is proud to support and participate in this global initiative, and is committed to improving the health and well-being of Canadians. We fully understand that public health efforts on health promotion and disease prevention are critical to improving the health of Canadians.

In recognition of this, the Public Health Agency of Canada, in partnership with the provinces and territories, is playing a lead role in preventing disease and promoting good health through the Integrated Pan-Canadian Healthy Living Strategy. The purpose of this Strategy is to improve the health of Canadians and reduce health disparities by focusing on healthy eating, physical activity and their relationship to healthy weights.

The Government of Canada recently reinforced its support for health promotion and chronic disease prevention through Budget 2005, which provided $300 million over five years to establish an integrated Strategy on Healthy Living and Chronic Disease. The Strategy will address the health needs of all Canadians - from those who are healthy, to those at high risk, to those living with chronic disease. The Government of Canada will promote health by addressing the social conditions that lead to unhealthy eating, physical inactivity and obesity.

Move for Health Day coincides with the launch of the 2005 SummerActive program - an annual promotion organized by the Public Health Agency of Canada in partnership with provincial and territorial governments. Running this year from May 6 to June 20, the goal of SummerActive is to increase awareness about the benefits associated with regular physical activity, healthy eating, and living smoke-free.

We encourage all Canadians to get involved in the Move for Health Day and take the first steps towards an active and healthy lifestyle.