Be Active ASAP Wins Award

The Be Active After-school Activity Programme was awarded a Crystal Clear Health Literacy Award on the Monday 9th May at the Royal College of Physicians.  The programme was developed by the physical education unit in St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra and it is currently being managed by a multi agency group comprising of the HSE Dublin North East, the Irish Sports Council and St Patrick’s College.

The fourth annual Crystal Clear MSD Health Literacy Awards acknowledge leaders promoting clearer communications in healthcare environments.  The Be Active ASAP was winner in the  Best Health Promotion Project which recognises health promotion or public education campaigns that have improved health literacy.  100 entries to the 2011 Crystal Clear MSD Health Literacy Awards were assessed by a judging panel which comprised of representation from NALA (National Adult Literacy Agency), UCD Business Schools, HIQA (Health Information and Quality Authority), IPNA (Irish Practice Nurses Association), the HSE, UCC, the Adelaide Hospital Society, the Irish Medical Times, General Practice and MSD.  Winners were chosen in their respective categories because of the clear and accessible way in which they communicated important health messages. The entries were evaluated for how they addressed the issue of health literacy, which is a person’s ability to understand and use basic health information.

The Be Active ASAP comprises a 30 week structured activity programme which introduces parents and children aged 7-8 years to a variety of activities to sustain positive physical activity habits as children grow up. There are currently 1,200 children participating in the programme with 300 parent leaders and 130 teacher leaders volunteering their time to facilitate the sessions.

For further information on the awards see www.healthliteracy.ie

For further information on the Be Active ASAP see www.beactiveasap.ie

Last Updated: Thursday May 12 2011