Heart-health program ticks all the boxes

Heart health in Kwinana was given a big tick recently when it received a new award.

The City of Kwinana won the Heart Foundation’s Local Government Award for councils with populations over 25,000 category.

The city’s Healthy Lifestyles team actively work to improve heart health by building a sense of community, encouraging people to be physically active, smoke free and to make healthy food choices.

The Kwinana community has WA’s highest rate of diabetes, high cholesterol and other health concerns, but services offered by the council are aiming to reduce these statistics.

City of Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams said she highly commended the efforts of the Healthy Lifestyle Team, and was delighted for the council to receive the award.

“This award is wonderful and is proof that the health of our community will positively increase,” she said.

“Council programs such as Senior-Sational and Parks Play give residents the extra motivation to get out there and immerse themselves in physical activities and to start forming healthier heart habits.”

Cardiovascular Health director Trevor Shilton said the award had been around for more than 20 years because the Heart Foundation recognised that getting the community to be healthier is best achieved at a local government level.

“We seek to recognise and reward councils that invest time and resources into healthy lifestyle policies and programs,” he said.

“The City of Kwinana is a leader not only locally, but nationally.”