A three year Health Plan for Galway city 2019 – 2021 was launched in Westside Library this week to promote physical and mental wellbeing.
This Health Plan is an initiative of Galway City Local Community Development Committee based on engagement, collaboration and the creation of long-term innovative partnerships.
It is focused on seven key themes to promote physical and mental wellbeing: Collaboration, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Tobacco Free Galway City, Prevention and Reduction of Alcohol Related Harm, Sexual Health, Healthy Eating and Physical Activity.
Launching the strategy Catherine Byrne, Minister of State with responsibility for Health Promotion and the National Drugs Strategy said “Healthy Ireland wants to empower every person, young and old, to improve their health, wellbeing and quality of life.”
“The Healthy Galway City Plan is a fantastic example of commitment at a local level to supporting and encouraging a healthier lifestyle.”
“The most important thing for each of us is to take that first step, no matter how small,” she concluded.
The themes that underpin the specific Galway city Health Plan are reflective of national health policy goals, in a bid to ensure than national ideas can be implemented locally.
The Healthy Galway City initiative began in 2006 with involvement in the World Health Organization Healthy Cities Network and more recently the National Healthy Cities and Counties of Ireland Network.
This network aims to help local authorities implement Healthy Ireland, the national framework for action to improve the health and wellbeing of the Irish population.
Two years ago the government introduced the Healthy Ireland fund to provide material support for implementing those objectives.
Galway City LCDC were successful in securing money for the city health plan under the first two rounds of this fund and hope to enjoy similar success in round 3.
Mayor of Galway Niall McNelis said that with the help of this fund “we are increasing our awareness collectively throughout Galway City to make it easier for you to know where you can make that healthy start in your own community, so you can eat better, exercise more and feel better”.
Healthy Galway City is overseen by a steering committee comprising of representatives from Galway City Council, Galway City Partnership, HSE Health Promotion and Improvement, Galway City Community Network and Amach LGBTI+.
