Why? – During 2006/07 a Needs Assessment was carried out all across Torfaen, on the health and wellbeing of people and communities. There is a lot of information on the high levels of people overweight or obese, lack of physical activity, poor diet and why everyone should take action to improve their health and wellbeing. A copy of the Needs Assessment| is available here.
Health Challenge Torfaen is where we encourage you to take some action to improve your own lifestyle & health and support you through advice, information, events and services that are delivered in the community rather than a health setting. Leading a healthy lifestyle doesn't have to be expensive. Everyday activities such as taking the stairs instead of the lift, or walking to the shops rather than jumping into the car can make a big difference to your health. And you do not have to join an expensive health club or gym to improve your level of physical activity.
One key to living a healthier lifestyle is not to make too many changes at the same time. Achieving one change in your lifestyle is a huge success and will make a difference.
For example, if you are a smoker and you give it up, you could add five years to your life expectancy. Eating five portions of fruit and vegetables, a day could add another three years. So making the effort is worth it - and you will feel better along the way too!
Health Challenge Torfaen builds on the Welsh Assembly Government Health Challenge Wales programme.
Health Challenge Wales
The Welsh Assembly Government is clear that everyone has a part to play in improving health in Wales, in short: health is everybody's business.
The idea is that organisations and individuals share responsibility, as the demand for health and care services is unsustainable in the longer term. Therefore greater emphasis needs to be placed on preventing ill health in the first place, which will in turn free up our health service to treat unavoidable disease.