New campaign to ‘activate’ one in two Canberrans


Released 10/04/2018

Canberrans are being urged to get active on a daily basis to help them stay healthy and prevent chronic conditions through a new digital and broadcast campaign called ‘Activate My Day’.

“Through the ACT Government’s Active Living Program, we have provided $170,000 to the Heart Foundation to run the preventive health initiative ‘Activate My Day’ which will provide Canberrans with tips and ideas on how to incorporate incidental activity in their day to day lives,” said Minister for Health and Wellbeing Meegan Fitzharris.

“Simple exercises such as using the stairs instead of lifts or escalators, parking ten minutes away from school or work to add in a daily walk or encouraging colleagues to ‘walk and talk’ for a meeting rather than sitting, are just some of the practical ideas that will prompt people to keep moving to improve their health.

“The Heart Foundation has identified that one in two Canberrans are not getting enough physical activity, and we know that being active is important for our mental and physical health.

“That’s why, we’re urging Canberrans to get behind this new digital campaign to encourage one another to get active.

“We also know there is room for improvement with adults averaging more than six hours of sedentary behavior every day and 5-15 year olds spending more than two hours on screen each day.

“In addition, in the ACT, 63 per cent of adults are obese or overweight and 18.5 per cent have cardiovascular disease.

“Much of this burden of disease is preventable and can be minimised just by adding in easy to do physical activities that don’t disrupt your day.

“I am pleased to partner with the Heart Foundation to deliver this important preventive health campaign,” said Minister Fitzharris.

For more information on the Activate My Day campaign, visit: www.activatemyday.com.au

- Statement ends -

Meegan Fitzharris, MLA | Media Releases

Media Contacts

Name Phone Mobile Email

Claire Johnston

(02) 6205 0022

0452 597 459

clairev.johnston@act.gov.au


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