MEDIA ADVISORY: World Health Day Event set April 5 At Pan American Health Organization

WHAT: The observance of World Health Day 2002, "Move for Health," will be held at the Pan American Health Organization in Washington

WHEN: Friday April 5, 2002 at 9:30 a.m.

WHERE: Pan American Health Organization Headquarters, 525 23rd St NW, Washington, DC, Room A, 2nd Floor (23rd Street at Virginia Avenue, four blocks south of Foggy Bottom Metro Station)

WHO: Dr.Cristina Beato, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Dr. Elizabeth M. Duke, Administrator, Health Resources and Services Administration; Dr. George Alleyne, Director, Pan American Health Organization; Dr. Ross Cox, Deputy Director, Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Dr. Herman Ellis, Chairman of the Board, American Association for World Health; The Hon. Rudolph McCollum Jr., Mayor of Richmond, Va.; Richard L. Wittenberg, President and CEO, AAWH.

WHY: World Health Day 2002, under the slogan "Move for Health!" shows that living an active lifestyle today is inarguably imperative. "Over the last quarter century, strong scientific evidence has clearly and repetitively shown us that exercising regularly and practicing sports open the doors to a healthy life and prevent or delay the onset of diseases that increasingly dominate the panorama of health in the Region,"says PAHO's Director, Dr. George Alleyne.

WALK FOR HEALTH: As part of the World Health Day events, PAHO is sponsoring its Sixth Annual Walk for Health on Saturday, April 6, 2002. This Centennial event, part of the 2002 "Move for Health!" activities, starts at 10:00 a.m. at the Centennial Plaza outside the PAHO Headquarters building in Washington. Participants will see some of the beautiful sights of Washington and participate in the burial of a time capsule with health predictions, to be opened in 50 years.

PAHO: The Pan American Health Organization, which is celebrating its Centennial in 2002, works with all its Member Countries to improve the health and raise the living standards of the people of the Americas. It also serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization.