News

SIMCOE, AUGUST 29th, 2014

WHAT: Members of the Haldimand Norfolk Health Unit’s volunteer youth group, the Health Education and Advocacy Team (HEAT), are organizing a free event called “Don’t Dress up Danger”, which will include a fun and informative fashion show, a free photo booth where you get the chance to speak up against the industries, an interactive information booth and a chance to win great prizes.

WHO: The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit’s youth volunteer group, HEAT, raises awareness about health topics that are important to them and their peers. Jasmine Musik and Noor Cheema are two HEAT volunteers who are passionate about positive self image and the role that industries and the media have on our health.

WHEN: Friday August 29, 2014 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. The fashion show will begin at 3:00 p.m., weather permitting.

WHERE: Port Dover Beach. In front of Knecthel’s Restaurant (1 Walker St., Port Dover, ON, N0A 1N0).

WHY: The members of HEAT are concerned about how big companies glamourize their (unhealthy) products to profit from our body image insecurities. The tobacco industry, for example, uses the media to convince teens that smoking will help make them look more attractive. The tobacco industry is not alone – the diet industry creates huge profit by promoting products that have been proven to be ineffective and that can have negative health effects. This results in many young people taking unhealthy steps to attain a certain body that is both unachievable and unrealistic.HEAT wants youth to know the facts and not be fooled by the attempts made by companies to “dress up danger”.

Additional Details: Parents and teens alike need to be critical of what they see in the media so they can take ownership of their health and body image. To find out more about media literacy visit: www.commonsensemedia.org or www.mediasmarts.ca

To find out more about how the tobacco industry uses celebrities to endorse smoking and how you can take action visit www.smokefreemovies.ca

Media Contact:

Nicole Stone
Health Promoter
School Health Team
Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit
Ext. 315 at either 519-426-6170 or 905-318-6623
[email protected]