INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

What: Commemoration of the Africa Healthy Lifestyle Day at the African Union
When: Friday, 16 March 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
Where: AU Commission Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Who: Organized by Medical Services Directorate, AU Commission
Theme: “Work-life balance”: Create a better balance between demands of the job and healthy management of life outside work.

Background:
The last Friday of February each year was declared as Africa Healthy Lifestyle Day by Decision No. EX.CL.Dec.436 (XIII), of the Special Session of the African Union Conference of Ministers of Health. This decision was adopted by the Executive Council in July 2008 in the framework of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Strategy for prevention and control of Non-communicable Diseases.
A healthy Lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people’s health and well-being. Adopting a healthy lifestyle involves regular physical activity or exercise, healthy eating habits, reducing stress, avoiding tobacco use and alcohol abuse. On the other hand, adopting unhealthy lifestyles results in metabolic changes that increase the risk of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
Expected Outcomes:
• Increased awareness of adopting a healthy lifestyle within the AU community
• Increased awareness of the target audience on the complications of disturbed work-life balance.
• Increased awareness on how to deal with related health problems before it’s late.
• Change attitudes and beliefs to adopt a healthy life style.
Participants: Primary participants will include AUC Staff, African member state Embassies staff, as well as their family members, while secondary participants would be the broader African population.
Journalists are invited to cover the Africa Healthy lifestyle Day scheduled for Friday 16th March 2018. A draft program of activities is attached.
For further information please contacts:
1) Dr. Naftal Kilenga,
Head of Division, Medical Services
Email: Kilengan@africa-union.org
2) Dr. Mary Tapgun
Head of Clinical Services Division, Medical Services Directorate
Email: Tapgunm@africa-union.org
3) Dr. Brook Tsehay
Medical Service Directorate, Email: BrookT@africa-union.org

For Media inquiries please contact:
Mr. Gamal Ahmed Karrar| Directorate of Information and Communication| E-mail: Gamalk@africa-union.org
Mrs. Esther Azaa Tankou| Head of Information Division | African Union Commission |
Tel: +251 (0) 911361185 | E-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org |