Health Action, the unique health promotion programme for
schools run by Action Cancer and funded by Centra, has
delivered healthy lifestyle messages to almost a quarter
of a million children in Northern Ireland since it was
launched in 2003.
Figures released to mark the sixth anniversary of the
programme, which is fully supported by the Council for
the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment (CCEA), reveal
that cancer prevention roadshows have been delivered to
250,000 young people at one thousand schools and colleges.
Action Cancer and Centra formed a partnership in February
2003 in support of the Health Action project, which is
the only one of its kind in the province. Centra covers
the cost of running the programme, while stores raise funds
for Action Cancer and encourage participation among local
schools.
The programme focuses on healthy eating, exercise, sun
safety and early detection, in an effort to reduce cancer
risk in later life. Sessions for secondary schools and
colleges also include recently added elements to fight
obesity, including Boxercise (boxing moves to music) and
Dancercise (exercise through dance).
Centra has donated over £550,000 to fund Health Action
to date.
