Fono aimed at improving youth health

Fono aimed at improving youth health

On Thursday March 29th Youthline Manukau are hosting a fono at The Holiday Inn, Airport Oaks which will bring together Youth Health Council members from all across Auckland.

Youth Health Councils deal with the entire wellbeing of a person, often setting up initiatives to improve the health status of youth, such as introducing healthier tuck shop menu’s, creating health awareness campaigns and implementing fitness programmes.

At present there are 26 Youth Health Councils which have been set up in secondary schools with support from the Counties Manukau District Health Board and the ASB Charitable Trust.

Youthline has been tasked with developing and supporting the Councils, but fono organizer Trent Faliu, says it’s really left up to the students.

“Youth Health Councils are run for youth, by youth – that is the most effective way to do it, we just help to give them the knowledge, resources and contacts to make their council a success.” he says.

And that’s what the fono is all about.

“We’re lucky enough to have several health providers on board who are coming along to pass on their wisdom to the students and give them ideas on types of projects they could do.”

These health providers include The Diabetes Project Trust, The Heart Foundation, and Smokefree.

As well as several presentations there will be workshops in teambuilding, conducting health surveys, how to set up a health initiative and more.

“We really just want the students to leave the fono knowing that they have all of the building blocks at their disposal to make a real difference in their school.

If we can support youth to take responsibility for their own wellbeing and make positive changes now, the flow on effects for the future will be invaluable,“ he adds.

It’s not hard to understand the importance of this - A report put out by the Counties Manukau District Health Board in December 2010 states that less than 1 in 10 adults in Counties Manukau aged 15 and above are leading a ‘healthy lifestyle.’

A ‘healthy lifestyle’ is based on not smoking, safe alcohol consumption, being regularly physically active, eating 5+ a day and not being obese.

ENDS

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