PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley continues exercise classes through Community Development, Family & Humanitarian Affairs (CDFHA), a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labor.
In accordance with its mandate, CDFHA explored various avenues of collaboration with senior organizations to gain a better understanding of their circumstances; assessed the senior organizations registered with the department.
Deriving from the assessment, CDFHA executed a three-month exercise pilot program, facilitated by Fitness Attitude for the senior organizations. The classes were provided once a week at each senior organization and a large number of seniors enjoyed the classes. Following the trial period, it was determined through feedback that the seniors were enthusiastic about the classes and the leaders of the organizations requested that the classes continue.
One of the many benefits of exercise classes for seniors is but is not limited to, improving cardiovascular health as the
primary causes of premature death are heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and hypertension. “The Health Caribbean Coalition on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD) issued on January 25, 2017”
In light of the aforementioned, Minister Ottley deemed it essential to continue the program for a year. “These classes correspond well with the assessment that the Department of Collective Preventive Services (CPS), is currently conducting in regards to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD)”, said Minister Ottley.
