AFRICAN UNION
UNION AFRICAINE
UNIÃO AFRICANA
Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA P. O. Box 3243 Telephone 251 11 517 700 Fax: 251 11 551 78 44 Website: www.african-union.org
Reference: DSA/
The Commission of the African Union presents its compliments to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs/External Relations and Regional Cooperation of all AU Member States and has the honour to refer to Decision No. EX.CL.Dec.436 (XIII), which was adopted by the AU Executive Council in July 2008 (attached). The Last Friday of February each year was declared Africa Healthy Lifestyles Day. This Day was adopted in the framework of the WHO Strategy for prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, which is posing an increasing challenge to already over-burdened health sector in Africa.
Africa has, suffered from a heavy burden of preventable communicable diseases. This is now compounded by a progressively increasing burden of non-communicable diseases, many of which can be prevented by adaption of healthy lifestyles through life-long healthy diets and regular physical activity; as well as regular medical screening. This is because unhealthy diets and lifestyles, including inadequate physical activity can cause or exacerbate non-communicable diseases, resulting in death and disability. The abuse of tobacco, alcohol and other substances is also a big challenge to Africa. The diseases and conditions related to unhealthy lifestyles include: high blood pressure (hypertension), stroke, heart attack, type 2 diabetes (sugar disease), dental caries, weakening of bones (osteoporosis) and certain cancers. Apart from causing death and disability, these non-communicable diseases are chronic and very expensive to manage.
A healthy diet should include a balanced diet with a high intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, recommended amounts of foods with protein, starch and fat. Physical activity should be actively promoted, especially in educational institutions and places of work. Regular screening also results in prevention or early detection and intervention for certain diseases and conditions, and can be done at any primary health care centre. Note should be made of many nutrition-related disorders such as under-nutrition, over-nutrition (obesity) and micro-nutrient deficiencies, especially among infants, children, pregnant women and older persons.
Interventions to promote health and well-being, requires the concerted efforts of various stakeholders from the public and private sectors, the media and the community. Member States need to develop and/or implement appropriate national policies, strategies and action plans towards more healthy diets and regular physical activity for all age groups. Health and Education Ministries should play a lead role in coordinating and facilitating the national agenda, supported by other ministries such as those in charge of Agriculture, Youth and Sport, Media and Communication; Social Affairs and Community Development, Finance and Economic Planning, Commerce and Industry, etc.
Guidelines on diets, nutrition and physical activity should be drawn up and/or publicized country-wide. Marketing, advertising and promotion of foods and beverages should be in line with international regulations and should not exploit communities. Labeling of foods and beverages should be accurate, standardized and clear. National food and agricultural policies should aim, among others, on promoting public health. If not in place, multi-sectoral policies to promote physical activity should be developed. The public should, not only be involved, but also educated and given correct information regularly. School influences the future of most children and adults. Therefore, school education curricula should adopt, support and facilitate the adaption of healthy diets and lifestyles, including physical activity.
In this regard, Member States are urged, not only to organise awareness-raising and advocacy programmes for the benefit of all communities, not only to commemorate the day 2nd Africa Healthy Lifestyles Day on 26 February 2010, but also to sustain efforts towards this end throughout the year and beyond. Member States are thus urged to conduct nation-wide programmes to mark the 2nd Africa Healthy Lifestyles Day, laying emphasis on institutes of education and other selected communities.
Member States are further urged to develop and/or strengthen short- and long-term programmes for sustained actions to promote life-long healthy lifestyles. Feedback to the Commission on actions undertaken will be highly appreciated.
The Commission of the African Union avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs/External Relations and Regional Cooperation of all AU Member States the assurances of its highest consideration.
Addis Ababa, 3 February 2010
To: All Ministries of Foreign Affairs/ External Relations
And Regional Cooperation,
AU Member States
cc: - All Ministries of Health,
AU Member States
- All Embassies of AU Member States,
Addis Ababa
Attch.
