The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

THE BUSY reality of daily schedules and a modern diet makes it difficult if not impossible for many people to practice the old saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”.

As a part of their ongoing health and wellness programme and the global effort to fight heart disease and promote heart health during the month of February, Colina Insurance Limited staged an apple-a-day giveaway, encouraging customers to eat an apple a day to keep cholesterol and inflammation away.

Bahamians received a free red apple along with information on the fruit’s role in maintaining a healthy heart. Melanie Hutcheson, corporate communications officer said several hundred apples were given away.

“Every client received an apple, as well as an informational card that tells them about the benefits of apples and how it relates to cholesterol. We realise that our responsibility is to educate our clients on how they can live more healthy lifestyles. The whole “Step Up” programme is using this initiative to promote heart health amongst adults,” said Ms Hutcheson.

The “Step Up” programme launched last year promotes fitness and active lifestyles in children and teens. The programme was designed to address three key components of child wellness: nutrition, fitness and preventive healthcare. 

“This particular initiative draws attention to the simple things you can do to make yourself healthier. There are some people who aren’t in control of their health; they’ve inherited congenital diseases. But really think about if you are in control and how much power that gives you to just do the small things in life that can help you live a better quality of life,” said Ms Hutcheson.

In addition to the fruit offer, the heart health initiative also included free pedometers, and screenings for cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose screenings. 

“Last year we were encouraged by the number of clients, especially men, who were eager to embrace the opportunity to get their health screenings done. We decided we wanted to go even further in promoting our healthy heart initiative by offering health screenings at several locations over the course of three days to allow our customers the opportunity to check these routine but vital statistics,” said Julie Dean, customer service manager.

The initiative also supported the purchase of “Go Red” pins from the Sir Victor Sassoon Bahamas Heart Foundation, which uses the pins to raise money to fund surgeries for children with congenital heart disease.

“Your lifestyle helps to determine what your insurance premiums will be; what your risk class will be; and whether you qualify for insurance, so preventive care is essential,” said Wendy Butler, vice president of life operations.

The healthy heart initiative was launched last year in recognition of heart month and also in response to local statistics that revealed heart disease as the number one cause of death in the Bahamas.