SummerActive Kicks Off In Nova Scotia

All Nova Scotians are encouraged to improve their health and well-being through active, smoke-free living and healthy eating. Gordon Balser, Minister responsible for Nova Scotia's Public Service Commission, kicked off the province's six-week SummerActive campaign today, May 9.

"We often forget how important a role physical activity plays in our everyday lives," said Mr. Balser, on behalf of Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Health Promotion. "SummerActive promotes the benefits of regular physical activity and encourages people to make a personal commitment to an active, healthy lifestyle. It's a program for everyone, regardless of age, ability or gender."

SummerActive is a national campaign underway in communities across Canada.

"Although there are encouraging trends toward increased levels of physical activity, more than 50 per cent of Nova Scotians are still not active on a daily basis," said Jane Farquharson, executive director of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, who presented the kickoff in partnership with the province. The figures comes from The Growing Burden of Heart Disease and Stroke in Canada 2003, a report released this week by the Heart and Stroke Foundation in collaboration with Health Canada and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society.

Physical inactivity costs the Canadian health-care system $2.1 billion annually in direct health care costs and is linked to heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes and cancer. If just 10 per cent more Nova Scotians were physically active, the province could save an estimated $7.5 million in total health care spending.

Small adjustments in daily routines can help Nova Scotians accumulate the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day to enhance overall health. It's as simple as getting off the bus a few stops early, taking the stairs rather than the elevator or having a walking meeting with colleagues.

The annual provincial SummerActive kickoff promotes and supports events being organized in communities across Nova Scotia. Communities planning an event should visit the SummerActive Web site at www.summeractive.canoe.ca to register the event, enter community challenges and download materials. SummerActive is a Health Canada program that runs from May 9 to June 21.