13 Mar 2025

The SADC Healthy Lifestyle Day will held in Good Hope today.
The day, which was set aside by the AU in 2008, seeks to sensitise the public about the dangers of Non communicable Diseases (NCDs), which have put a great burden in Botswana health system, according to National AIDA and Health Promotion Agency (NAHPA) 2014 Steps Survey.
The day also seeks to highlight dangers associated with abuse of alcohol and tobacco. Furthermore, it aims to intervene against concerns of overweight and obesity.According to the 2014 Botswana Steps Survey, 94.8 per cent participants reported consuming fewer than five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. The prevalence of non-physical activity was at 25.9 per cent in women while in men it was 14.3 per cent.
 The survey further highlighted concerning trends in use of alcohol and tobacco.
The SADC region has recognised this growing NCDs threat and in 2008, the African union executive council adopted the SADC Healthy Lifestyle Day to promote action and awareness, prevention and control on NCDs.
The event, which will be held under the theme; Risk Factors of Today, are Tomorrow’s Diseases, will feature activities designed to educate and engage the public in the fight against NCDs. ENDS