WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) – The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) is recognising health promoters in three Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries as it observes “Wellness Week 2018”.

PAHO said that the health promoters from Jamaica, Belize and Barbados are among eight people in the Americas who are being recognised.

Wellness Week 2018 is being observed under the theme “Building healthy communities for everyone” in more than 20 countries of the Americas during the period September 8-14.

PAHO said that since its inception in 2011, Wellness Week has called for action “to combat non-communicable diseases and make the healthy choice the easy choice.”

It said as this year marks the 40th anniversary of the Declaration of Alma-Ata, which identified primary health care as a key component to health for all, Wellness Week 2018 highlights the health promotion movement in the region and honours health promoters who contribute to their communities.

“Everyone is part of a community and, therefore, everyone can take action in their own way to build healthier communities,” said Gerry Eijkemans, head of the Health Promotion and Social Determinants Unit at PAHO.

“Every step we take to improve health at the community level is a step toward universal health.”

PAHO said it is honouring health promoters from Ecuador, Jamaica, Cuba, Barbados, Belize, Colombia, El Salvador and Bolivia.

It said Fabián Barracks, of Jamaica, has created theatre works that tour the country’s schools and that the productions “tackle various social problems with the goal of empowering youth and improving their wellbeing.”

In the case of Nicole Griffith, of Barbados, she teaches children and young people, many of whom have diabetes, how to prepare and eat healthy foods and manage their health.

PAHO said Rose Anderson, of Belize, has been the leader of a group that visits rural communities to talk about different health topics, as well as help parents prevent diarrheal diseases in their children and motivate pregnant women to visit prenatal clinics to have healthier pregnancies.