Healthy living conference comes to Aviemore

A conference looking at ways of encouraging people across the Highlands to get healthy and active is taking place in the Cairngorms National Park next week

Organised and funded by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA), NHS Highland and The Highland Council, ‘Actively Improving Your Health’ is a one-day event aimed at everyone living or working in the Highlands who can influence the health and well-being of others.

The conference – which takes place on Friday 4 March at the Hilton Coylumbridge Hotel, Aviemore – will highlight the various approaches to encouraging more people to be more active, more often.

The issue of health related physical activity is extremely important in an era of increasing ill health. Coronary heart disease, obesity, depression and diabetes are modern diseases that are preventable. The risk of developing any one of these conditions, and some cancers, can be reduced through participating in moderate, regular physical activity.

Key speakers from the NHS, The Highland Council and the CNPA will encourage everyone to seize the health improvement agenda. Smoking cessation, weight management, led walks and men’s health checks are all part of a drive to improve Scotland’s health and everyone can do their part. A café style conference will allow for plenty of discussion and sharing of good practice as well as giving delegates the opportunity to network, plan new projects and hear about examples of good practice. The event promises to engage everyone in the health improvement agenda.

Speaking ahead of the event, Duncan Bryden, CNPA Board Member said: “There are currently many ways in which residents and visitors can take exercise in the National Park and enjoy what is special about this area. Many communities have a good network of paths and cycle routes but there is scope for improving these routes and their signage.  This conference offers us the chance to work with partners to develop these, and other opportunities so that more people can exercise more often”.

The conference is aimed at those working in the health sector, local authorities, access officers, rangers, community workers and so on. For more information on the event or to book a place, contact Sharon Duncan on tel: 01463 704930, [email protected]