After 12 weeks of community camaraderie and a nationwide push for better health, the national Move it Cayman campaign officially crossed the finish line.
To celebrate the end of the challenge, the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability teamed up with the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage to host a free family fun day at John Gray High School on 4 July.
The event brought residents of all ages together for a one-mile walk/run, alongside a lineup of sports and fitness activities that included basketball, netball, dance fitness sessions, taekwondo, boxing demonstrations and an Active Seniors Zone.
Alongside a bouncy castle for the children, sponsor booths and health screenings were available to offer valuable health information and resources.
Throughout the 12 weeks, a culture of wellness was established as the campaign engaged individuals, schools, workplaces and community groups who demonstrated their commitment to improving their health and well-being.
Broader public health journey
While Move it Cayman has officially come to a close, it marks only the beginning of a broader public health journey.
The initiative served as the first phase of the ‘Step into Wellness’ national awareness and education campaign, a long-term strategy guided by the findings of the STEPS 2023 National Health Survey.
Designed to empower residents to prevent or reduce chronic illnesses, the overarching campaign focuses on four core pillars: movement, nourishment, mindfulness and knowledge.
Looking ahead, Health Minister Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, expressed excitement for the next phase of the strategy in a press release issued by the Ministry of Health.
“The success of Move it Cayman demonstrates what is possible when we all come together around a shared goal of better health,” Ebanks-Wilks said.
“I want to thank every participant, our partners and sponsors who made this campaign a success. I am excited about the work that is underway in my Ministry on the next initiative under the STEP into Wellness campaign,” she added.
Reflecting on the campaign, chief nursing officer, Felicia McLean, said, “Regular physical activity is one of the most effective ways to prevent and manage chronic diseases while supporting both physical and mental wellbeing.”
“Move it Cayman has helped remind us that incorporating movement into our daily routines does not require extraordinary effort; just commitment. We encourage everyone to continue building on the healthy habits they have developed throughout the campaign,” McLean added.
McLean said that the upcoming spotlight will shift to the next pillar of Step into Wellness titled ‘Nourishment’.
“This phase will encourage residents to make informed food choices and better understand nutrition to support lifelong wellbeing,” McLean said.
A major driver of the campaign’s success was the TeamFit app, which saw more than 1,000 residents sign up to form teams, track their physical activity, motivate one another, and earn points toward various engagement and competition prizes awarded throughout the initiative.
Cetonya Cacho, chief officer for the Ministry of Education and Training, underscored that healthy students are better equipped to learn and reach their full potential.
“We remain committed to working collaboratively across government to foster healthy habits from an early age, helping to build stronger outcomes both inside and outside the classroom,” Cacho said.
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