Somerset Coun. Diane Holmes heralded the beginning of Ottawa Public Health Week at the city’s board of health meeting this evening.
Holmes stood in for Mayor Jim Watson and read a proclamation that recognized Oct. 14-20 as a week dedicated to all things public health, such as the promotion of public health services.
Wednesday marks the second annual Ottawa Health Day. Grade 10 student Sarah Horton proposed the idea of a health day to city officials last year and gave a presentation on this year’s Health Day activities at the meeting.
“It’s people like Miss Horton,” said Holmes, “that help Ottawa Public Health improve the health of our city’s residents.”
Holmes challenged residents to participate on Wednesday by registering, on the city’s website, the amount of time spent performing physical activity, whether it be walking, biking, or practicing yoga.
In addition to Wednesday’s Health Day activities, the week’s events will promote health and educate the public by profiling health services. The roster of events includes a dental screening at Annavale Headstart Nursery School, a video of a health inspection in a restaurant, and a promotional day where doctors will walk their kids to school.
“It’s about being able to work on having people understand the importance [of health],” said Horton.
Horton said she hopes other cities will be inspired by Ottawa and start promoting health with campaigns of their own.