UĦM Voice of the Workers eMagazine issue 46

VOICE OF THE

WORKERS ISSUE 46 NOVEMBER 2014

Contents Not Forbidden Fruit

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Favouring the Healthy Option 03

LEADING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE Our will to change for the better Malta can boast of one of the best Healthcare services, supported by significant public funds and high quality people.

However, few people realise the cost of providing care for the consequences of people’s lifestyles, and that attacking issues from the root causes is much more socially desirable and costeffective.

Our modern-day lifestyles inculcate in many of us a sense of being immune to ill-health VOICE OF THE

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and feel protected by technology and comfort. We are bombarded by advertising financed by big industries, inducing us to stay put, feel comfortable, avoid getting out of our comfort zones, and depend to a large extent on the plethora of gadgets and advanced technology we have at our fingertips. This is added to the pressures of our timetables, a sedentary life at work in front of computer terminals and television sets. Day by day, month by month, year by year, the pressure

Developing a Healthy Lifestyle

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The importance of a healthy workforce

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Developing Healthy Lifestyles: A European Perspective 07

EDITOR’S NOTE JOSEF VELLA of this lifestyle on our health is devastating, and the cost to our health system is huge.

We need, now more than ever, to take the bull by the horns and tackle this veritable epidemic.

Tackling this necessitates making a culture change. This culture change can be affected through a string of initiatives and bold policy decisions. We need to incentivise exercise, more use of public transport and less use of the car, increase the drive in 1

EDITORIAL

favour of eating healthy through education and awareness-raising.

It is true that embarking on these initiatives costs money. However, simple arithmetic will show that investing money in this respect will save us millions in healthcare and social costs arising out of our reluctance to engage in a healthy lifestyle.

We need to realise that engaging in a healthy lifestyle is not just a question of looking or working better; it is a question of how much we respect ourselves.

Not only that, but respect for ourselves in this case is also an exercise in the respect of others, as more and more people are made to pay for healthcare and

other costs to make up for the mistakes of others.

Starting to lead a healthy lifestyle is a question of climbing out of our comfort zone, motivated by

the will to change for the better.

The sooner we realise this, the better for us, for our loved ones, and for all of us who contribute to Malta’s healthcare and social support services.

Our modern-day lifestyles inculcate in many of us a sense of being immune to ill-health and feel protected by technology and comfort

PICTURE STORY

Not Forbidden Fruit Most of us have an innate desire to become better people.

Unfortunately, we tend to regard short-term gain rather than long-term benefit. What can make us comfortable mow does not necessarily make us better persons in the long run. With a large percentage of the Maltese population being obese or overweight, we need to find the necessary motivation to improve our health and our lifestyles before it is too late. Policies, promotion and resources have to be directed towards increasing awareness and motivation to make this culture shift. It is infinitely better and more sustainable than having to provide for ill-health due to mistaken lifestyle choices in the future.

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INTERVIEW: HON. ROBERT CUTAJAR MP

FAVOURING THE HEALTHY OPTION Interview with Hon. Robert Cutajar MP, Opposition Spokesperson on Youth and Sports, and member of the Social Affairs Committee Why has the Opposition felt that the subject of healthy lifestyles and obesity needs legislating?

Although there was effort to address this problem, obesity in Malta is still a growing problem.

This is why we felt it was time to propose adequate legislation in this regard. We wanted to be proactive and positive on this issue, and we think that thios is the first concrete step towards obtaining the desired results.

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The Opposition has proposed legislation to provide for concrete measures to combat obesity. In essence, what is this legislation about?

This law targets and affects different levels of Maltese society.

It covers practically all stages of a person’s life; from pre-birth to old age. We are proposing that this law is administered by a Consultative Committee formed by ten governmental and non-governmental entities. This

Committee is to be coordinated by the Office of the Prime Minister, and will also include the Health and Education Ministries, Local Councils, the Malta Sports Council, the Commissioner of Police, as well as a number of professionals qualified in this field, among others. This law will regulate the type of food and drink that can be provided in all of Malta’s schools, as well as the minimum number of hours that need to be allocated to physical education at school.

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INTERVIEW: HON. ROBERT CUTAJAR MP

There is also an emphasis on the need to provide accessibility to water in all schools.

Local Councils also have an important role in this legislation.

We are proposing that Local Councils have to allocate funds from their own budgets for educational and informational campaigns within their respective communities. THe law also proposes sites in each locality where open air gyms can be installed.

Day Centres and Homes for the Elderly need to be adequately equipped with services and facilities intended to make it easy for their clients to make good use of them. There is also regulation on the type of food that should be offered to the elderly.

Obesity can be tackled by leading healthy lifestyles. How can the healthy lifestyle culture be made successful?

Healthy lifestyles can be encouraged by the decisions taken by politicians; decisions that make a tangible difference to the Maltese people. This also

means that some decisions will not be popular. When it comes to people’s health, this becomes an absolute priority, as health is essential. THe secret of this success is discipline; something that has always been missing through the years.

Living healthy is a lifestyle choice at all stages of a person’s life. This law is targeted not just for today’s generation of people, but it is also a vision that benefits future generations as well. What the Opposition is proposing is in loine with the Health 2020 Document issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Although millions of Euro were invested in sports facilities through the years, the message that sports is important to our health more than any other aspect, has unfortunately never been embedded in Maltese culture.

As politicians, We need to put partisan politics aside and take decisions that really and truly make a difference to the lives of the Maltese people. We need to

tackle the obesity problem that is costing Malta over 20 million Euro in care for conditions related to it, such as diabetes, strokes, cancer, and much more.

Our educational system, together with parents and the political class, all share a common responsibility in the interests of the common good. Working together is the only way that we can really be succssful in defeating this veritable affliction that is inflicting harm in Malta not only from a health persoective, but also from an economic one too.

How, do you think, can we compete with significant commercial practices and interests that contribute to a non-healthy lifestyle?

Here, we can really make the proverbial second step. If people are educated enough and can discipline themselves to avoid things that harm their health, success can be achieved. I have always believed that balance is the name of the game, and this is the best ingredient of success in everything one sets out to do.

...the message that sports is important to our health more than any other aspect, has unfortunately never been embedded in Maltese culture VOICE OF THE

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MEUSAC

DEVELOPING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE A healthy lifestyle can be achieved by getting regular exercise and adequate sleep. Balancing the demands of work and school with relaxation can also help to provide a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

Emphasizing on one area while neglecting another causes stress, poor health and the inability to cope with the demands of daily life.

to fight health inequalities as a prerequisite for growth and competitiveness. It is also compatible with the Union’s stated policy ambitions in the fields of sport and health.

Governments within the European Union (EU) have also noted the importance of a healthy lifestyle within their population as a healthy European society also affects the EU economy. Illnesses, high incidences of diseases due to lack of activity, and mortality, all have a cost on the EU’s economy.

Although the promotion of health-enhancing physical activity lies with the Member States, the EU has addressed this issue through several policies and financial support in the health and sport sectors. It has also used EU level structures and funds to coordinate policy. Article 165 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) provides the EU with a new competence aimed at developing the European dimension in sport.

For this reason, in November 2013, the EU Council adopted a Recommendation on promoting Health-Enhancing Physical Activity across sectors. This Recommendation is in line with the Europe 2020 Strategy which acknowledges the need

The Treaty calls on the EU to promote European sporting issues, notably by taking account of the specific nature of sport, its structures based on voluntary activity and its social and educational functions. The initiatives that followed include:

the setting up of EU Expert Groups on Sport; the EU Work Plan for Sport; and the setting up of a High-Level Group on Nutrition and Physical Activity, as part of the framework of the Strategy for Europe on Nutrition, Overweight and Obesity related issues.

The EU has set all these initiatives in motion because apart from wanting its citizens to enjoy a healthy lifestyle, it also understands that less health problems can translate into less economic costs for the EU especially when one considers that Europe’s population is an ageing one On a national level, the Healthy Weight for Life Strategy for 2012-2020 aims towards a society in which healthy lifestyles become the norm and healthy choices are easy and accessible to all, so as to prevent disease and premature deaths.

MEUSAC 280 Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1112 Tel: +356 2200 3315 • Fax: +356 2200 3329 • Email: info.meusac@gov.mt www.meusac.gov.mt VOICE OF THE

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MCESD

THE IMPORTANCE OF A HEALTHY WORKFORCE Leading a healthy lifestyle can be achieved namely through good eating habits, a balanced physical exercise regime as well as a good state of mental well being. Obesity has become a global phenomenon and undoubtedly it leads to various social and economic problems which do not solely affect the individual concerned but society at large. Obese individuals might not be physically and mentally able to work and socialise with others and this might also lead to social exclusion amongst other problems. The major problem is that obesity affects individuals of all ages. Prevention of childhood obesity needs to be a European and global priority.

On the other hand another phenomenon that is creeping up on the world is eating disorders.

This continues to highlight

the importance of balance when speaking about healthy living together with another aspect namely the surrounding environments. Ideally each individual makes an effort so as to ensure that we have cleaner environments namely cleaner and better air quality.

One needs to highlight the fact that here is a direct relationship between a good and thriving economy and a healthy workforce. Economies globally depend on the population to lead a healthy lifestyle in all its aspects. Countries, like Malta, who ultimately are dependent on human resources for social and economic development, need to ensure that the working population, as well as youngsters and the elderly are leading healthy lifestyles. Stress management in this regard also needs to be

taken into consideration. In return, employees need to make stronger efforts so as to ensure that they lead healthy lifestyles.

Cooperation between various stakeholders is necessary in trying to achieve a healthier population. The scenario of an ageing population is a reality which Governments need to face.

Initiatives which allow individuals to be proactive and have a sense of control over their health can help develop healthier lifestyles.

Needless to say emphasis on healthy lifestyles need to be made especially with young children so that future generations are healthier.

Hence the need to start with an educational campaign from an early age. Incentives for healthy eating at work and school need to be a priority.

MCESD 280/3, Republic Street, Valletta, VLT1112 Tel: (+356) 2200 3300 www.mcesd.org.mt VOICE OF THE

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CIA

Developing Healthy Lifestyles: A European Perspective On a European level, this aspect of public health and well-being is addressed through the Health 2020 health policy framework, as well as an EU-wide framework for action and Business action on health literacy. The information is being collected by the Brussels Office of the Confederazione Italiana Agricoltori.

EU platform for action on diet, physical activity and health Watch the video here: http://goo.gl/Mo56lg The EU platform for action on diet, physical activity and health is a forum for European-level organisations, ranging from the food industry to consumer protection NGOs, willing to commit to tackling current trends in diet and physical activity.

The Platform is composed of the following members.

Health 2020: A European policy framework and strategy for the 21st century Health 2020 is a value- and evidence-based health policy framework for health and well-being among the people of the WHO European Region. The hope is that Health 2020 will provide understanding and inspiration to everyone across the European Region who wishes to seize new opportunities to improve the health and well-being of present and future generations, by showing both the challenges, opportunities and ways forward. Health 2020 is for everyone: not just politicians and experts but also civil society, communities, families and individuals You can download the Health 2020 document here: http://goo.gl/CKTj28

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The idea is that, led by the Commission, the platform will provide an example of coordinated action on this problem by different parts of society that will encourage national, regional or local initiatives across Europe. http://goo.gl/AVSHW8 http://goo.gl/06lO4q http://goo.gl/GGNqLE Blueprint for Business Action on Health Literacy The pressure of demographic change compounds the challenge of retaining a healthy and qualified workforce. Based on CSR Europe’s “Blueprint for Business Action on Health Literacy”, this project aims to create a “Learning Network on Health and Wellbeing” in order to strategically improve health and wellbeing at work to increase future productivity and competitiveness. More information available here: http://goo.gl/vkgmZW

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