Nominations being sought for senior health advocates

FRIDAY, MAR. 2: The Department of Health is inviting the public to submit their nominations for the Public Health Awards 2012.

The World Health Organization celebrates World Health Day on April 7th to mark its founding day. This year’s theme is Ageing and Health with the slogan “Good health adds life to years”.

The Department of Health promotes a healthy lifestyle across the lifespan to save lives, protect health and alleviate disability and pain in older age. Age-friendly environments and early detection of disease as well as prevention and care improve the wellbeing of older people.

There are many individuals and organizations in Bermuda that promote the health and well-being of older people and the Department of Health wishes to recognise their contribution.  If you know an individual or organisation that has contributed significantly to the health of Bermuda’s older population you are invited to nominate them for a Public Health Award. 

 “Ageing is a natural and inevitable process,” said Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr. Cheryl Peek-Ball. “For the past century, expected life span has been increasing in the western world. More people now survive the process of childbirth and the health risks of childhood to live longer.  Due to better  sanitation,  personal hygiene and vaccinations, it is now the norm to live through adulthood to reach old age. Soon, the world will have more older adults in it than children.”

Dr. Peek-Ball added: “Within the next five years, for the first time in history, the number of adults aged 65 and over will outnumber children under the age of 5. By 2050, these older adults will outnumber children under the age of 14.”

The Public Health Awards ceremony is on Monday April 2nd and nominations are to be submitted no later than Friday March 23rd 2012. For more details on who is eligible or to submit a nomination please call Pauleter Stevens on 278-6504 or email [email protected].