Health Issues to be Addressed at Teagasc Event

A Health and Lifestyle Village will be one of the main family attractions at Agriculture and Food 06, the major Teagasc event being held in Kildalton College on Wednesday June 21, the longest day of the year.

The Village brings together a mix of practical and useful information and advice about YOUR health and lifestyle. The village will focus on how to improve and make sound decisions to stay healthy.

Speaking yesterday, Thursday, April 20, at the launch of this major Teagasc event, Mary O’Flaherty, House Manager in Kildalton College and Co-ordinator of the Health and Lifestyle Village, told us of the following companies participating on the day and outlined their respective interest areas.

Pfizer Healthcare Ireland will provide free health checks to the public on the day.

Areas covered are blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and general health indicators. They will also provide a back up of professionals to give advice on improving any areas highlighted.

Grow, a national organisation caring for those suffering with depression will provide information on the symptoms of the illness and the help available.

The Irish Heart Foundation joins us to encourage you to take the first step in walking to fitness. They hope to have a 'virtual walk' with map on the grounds of Kildalton to get you started and pedometers available.

The Irish Cancer Society will be there to talk about two cancers which are sometimes overlooked, prostate and testicular. They will also talk about the risk of skin cancer from sun exposure.

The 'Body Performance Lab' at the Waterford Institute of Technology will have a stand promoting all types of information related to your health.

The Kilkenny and Waterford Health Promotion Units will be coming together in a joint venture to heighten awareness around a number of health issues including support for smoking cessation and stress, nutritional advice and taking up exercise.

The Irish Sports Partnership joins us to promote exercise initiatives being taken in local communities such as group walks and fun runs.

Waterford Substance Misuse Team
This Waterford team will talk about the misuse of alcohol and the effects on our communities, heightening awareness and delivering the message.

Healthy Options catering Unit by Benson Event Catering will provide alternative food choices in this village.

The Health and Lifestyle Village offers a vast amount of information and advice on an overall better lifestyle and is a must for all visitors to Kildalton on June 21. We have just one life, concluded Mary.