Navan in Co Meath has been selected as this year's Irish Times Pfizer Healthy Town.
The town, which will serve as a blueprint for other towns which wish to improve their inhabitants’ health, will host a series of free talks, events and health checks in September and October.
Now in its fifth year, the project aims to show people simple steps to improve physical and mental wellbeing. It aligns with the WHO’s Healthy Cities initiative and Healthy Ireland’s healthy towns and counties project.
Healthy Ireland is a Government initiative aimed at improving health.
The Minister of State for Health Promotion Marcella Corcoran Kennedy said Healthy Ireland was delighted to continue to support “this wonderfully collaborative and innovative programme that helps communities to boost their health and wellbeing”.
Navan-born broadcaster Hector Ó hEochagáin, ambassador for this year’s project, said: “It is all about inspiring people to make the most of the wealth of clubs, groups, facilities and resources that are at their fingertips in their home town to help improve their health,”
An Irish Times website allied to the project will be launched later this summer. It will be aimed not just at people in Navan, but anyone who wishes to improve their health. Irish Times editor Kevin O'Sullivan said the website – which would include daily health tips – meant everyone nationwide could easily access the project.
Pfizer Ireland managing director Paul Reid also stressed the project was an inclusive one which encouraged people everywhere to make small changes that would have a big impact on their wellbeing.
The public can share their suggestions on what the programme should involve by posting on the healthy town Facebook page using #MyHealthyTown.