Belize has launched Wellness Week 2026, with the Ministry of Health and Wellness promoting healthier lifestyles and environments as the country continues to face the burden of noncommunicable diseases.
Wellness Week runs from September 22 to 25 under the theme “Promoting Health, Transforming Environments.” The Ministry says the theme recognises that health is shaped not only by individual choices, but also by the environments where people live, work and learn.
Kathleen Azueta Cho, Technical Advisor on Health Education at the Ministry of Health and Wellness, said the focus is on creating environments that make healthier choices easier.
“Really what that message is saying is that it’s not simply about individuals but the habits go beyond that,” Cho said. “It also entails creating the environments that support the choices and the decisions that we make around our well-being.”
Noncommunicable diseases, including heart disease and diabetes, remain among the leading causes of illness, disability and premature death in Belize. The Ministry identifies unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use and alcohol consumption among the preventable risk factors.
Through Wellness Week and initiatives such as BELIZE MOVES, the Ministry is promoting healthier lifestyles and efforts to reduce the impact of NCDs across the country.
Activities include nutrition education workshops, healthy cooking demonstrations, BELIZE MOVES physical activity sessions, yoga and mindfulness activities, workplace wellness programmes and health screenings.
“Know your numbers because screenings are an important part of wellness. Detecting early, you act earlier, and you avoid any complications,” Cho said.
Belize is participating in the regional observance as it holds the Pro Tempore Presidency of the Central American Integration System (SICA).
