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I will today write to the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, to encourage his department’s involvement in World Heart Day, which is celebrated globally today and founded 14 years ago.

According to Statistics South Africa, cerebrovascular and heart diseases are the second highest natural causes of death among South Africans. It is an epidemic resulting from habits of lifestyle, particularly poor nutrition, lack of exercise, smoking and alcohol abuse.

We suggest the Department of Health should campaign far and wide to encourage all South Africans, young and old, to visit their General Practitioner or their nearest community clinic to have their risk for myocardial infarctions or any other heart related diseases assessed. 

This campaign should aim to include but is not limited to:
 

• Increasing public awareness of the dangers of obesity to cardiovascular health resulting from poor nutritional behavior, lack of exercise, smoking and alcohol abuse;
• Call on parents and teachers to get much more involved in changing the nutritional and exercise habits of young people, specifically by setting the right example; and
• Investing considerably more in pioneering directions in cardiovascular science research and their health applications.

 
According to the Healthy Active Kids South Africa Report Card of 2014, the following findings were reported:
 

• At least half of children are active for less than an hour a day. This is not nearly enough;
• Less than half the children in cities take part in an organized sport or recreational activity;
• Most children spend almost 3 hours a day watching TV and more over weekends;
• Overweight and obesity among children continue to increase; and the intake of sugary drinks plays a major role;
• More than two-thirds of young people eat fast food at least three times a week;
• Only 50% of children eat enough fruit and vegetables;
• Less than half of children meet the recommendations on salt intake; and
• Smoking among young girls is also on the increase.

 
Most heart attacks are a consequence of poor lifestyle choices: what we eat, whether we exercise, whether we smoke or indulge in excessive alcohol consumption. Though Government has a role to play in raising public awareness, it is finally the responsibility of parents to lead by example and ensure that the lives of our children are not cut short by behaviour that can be changed.

Issued by the DA