News
Free skating events planned for “Heart Month” in February
SIMCOE, ON, JAN. 22, 2008 – The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit is urging residents to make use of two free skating events being held in February in recognition of Heart Month.
The free events, sponsored by Health Action and the Ontario Early Years Centres, take place at Simcoe Arena on Sunday, Feb. 3, from 3 to 4 p.m., and at Hagersville Arena on Sunday, Feb. 17, from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m.
During the free skating period, people will also be able to view displays and get information on Ontario Early Years programming, as well as information on preventing heart disease. The children will particularly enjoy meeting Heartly the Health Hawk, who will make an appearance.
“We want to help families be more active,” said Heather Keam, a Health Unit Health Promoter who is the Heart Health Coordinator for Health Action. “The free skate provides an ideal opportunity for people to enjoy a family outing and get some healthy exercise at the same time.”
Health Action is a community-based program administered by the Health Unit and operated by a coalition of partners in Haldimand and Norfolk. The coalition works with community agencies and individuals to promote healthy living with a focus on reducing chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and stroke.
“There are risk factors for heart disease that we can’t change, such as age, menopause and family history,” Keam noted, “but there are factors over which we do have control, such as healthy eating, being active, reducing stress and being smoke free. Having a healthy lifestyle not only reduces your risk of heart disease, it also reduces your risk of other chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer.”
For more information about Health Action and programs taking place in Haldimand and Norfolk, check the website at healthaction.ca or contact Keam at the Health Unit at 519-426-6170, Ext. 3208.
Media Contact: Heather Keam, Health Promoter,
Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit,
519-426-6170, Ext. 3208