STUDENTS from the Weipa Residential Campus from Pormpuraaw, Kowanyama, Cooktown, Aurukun, Mapoon and the Torres Strait Islands have just completed their Deadly Choices Healthy Lifestyles Program.
Apunipima Cape York Health Council’s Deadly Choices program aims to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families – to stop smoking, to eat good food and to exercise daily.
Undertaken over six weeks, the sessions were held after school demonstrating the commitment of this group of young men in learning about health, leadership and preventing chronic disease.
With the youngsters actively participating in the sessions it was unsurprising that data from the pre and post surveys shows an increase in knowledge about chronic disease, physical activity and smoking. Each also had a general health check.
Apunipima Health Promotion Officer Andrew Packer said the Deadly Choices initiative played an important role to help teach young men about healthy choices. Mr Packer delivered the program with Apunipima’s health promotion team, tackling smoking and healthy lifestyle teams and the men’s health team over six weeks.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men have the poorest health outcomes in the country,” Mr Packer said.
“At Apunipima we’re committed to empowering Cape York communities to make healthy lifestyle choices and live longer,” he said.
“Knowledge will give these students the power to make healthy choices.
“If we can instil positive health messages in these young adults now, their future will be much brighter.
“We hope to run a similar program with the female students later in the year.”