The National Health Fund (NHF), Jamaica is promoting the observance of Salt Awareness Week from February 1-7 this year, with the aim of educating the public on the harmful effects of too much salt on their health and how to reduce sodium in their diets. The theme for the week is, “Drop the Salt - Protect Your Health.” The behavioural objective is to the get the population to accept that high salt intake promotes bad health and to get them to understand why it is important to lower their salt intake. High blood pressure or hypertension is very prevalent in the Jamaican population. Hypertension accounts for highest number of beneficiaries on the NHF Individual Benefits. Hypertension contributes significantly to the country’s health budget.

The target audience is the entire population. - Persons who have been diagnosed with hypertension or have a family history of the condition - Emphasis will however be placed on the younger population as evidence has shown that:

• a reduction in salt can lead to immediate reductions in blood pressure in children
• the higher the blood pressure in childhood, the higher the blood pressure in adulthood
• lower blood pressure in children is likely to reduce the number of people developing high blood pressure later in life
• A high salt intake in children may also predispose an individual to development of a number of diseases in later life including: high blood pressure, osteoporosis and stomach cancer.

Our advertising and promotional campaign will include:

• Print and electronic ads have been prepared to create awareness and encourage behaviour change. These ads will be placed heavily throughout the week to create impact and maintained through the year.
• Fact Sheets, Brochures and Flyers will be produced for distribution to the public.
• Silicone armbands with the slogan “Drop the Salt: Protect Your Health” will be distributed to both adults and children.
• News releases with data and other factual information will be disseminated to the mass media during the week.
• Blood pressure checks will be offered to NHF customers at no cost during Salt Awareness Week

The NHF Website will be updated with Information informing persons of the health benefits of lowering salt intake. Some of our most commonly asked salt questions with the answers and the truth to myths will all be available on the website. All collateral pieces- brochure, poster, print and electronic ads will all be posted.

To ensure that intended messages reach the target population, the National Health Fund will involve various stakeholders. The Ministry of Health’s Communication officer will be asked to include information for the Honourable Minister of Health at his speaking engagements during Salt Awareness Week. Assistance will be sought from the following organizations in creating public awareness and encouraging behaviour change:

• Ministry of Health
• National Health Fund
• Regional Health Authorities
• Medical Association of Jamaica

The communications plan will be managed by a team from the National Health Fund.

Visit the NHF website at www.nhf.org.jm.

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