The Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability (MHES) celebrated the successful completion of the Move it Cayman national campaign with a free family fun day at John Gray High School on 4 July 2026, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage (MYSCH).
The event featured a one-mile walk/run and various activites for all ages, including dance fitness sessions, taekwondo and boxing demonstrations, basketball, netball and an Active Seniors Zone. Children enjoyed a bouncy castle while health screenings and sponsor booths provided valuable health information, and resources.
The Minister for Health, Environment and Sustainability, Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, said: “The success of Move it Cayman demonstrates what is possible when we all come together around a shared goal of better health. I want to thank every participant, our partners and sponsors who made this campaign a success. I am excited about the work that is underway in my Ministry on the next initiative under the STEP into Wellness campaign.”
Move it Cayman was delivered through a collaborative effort between MHES, MYSCH, the Ministries of Education and Training, District Administration and Home Affairs, as well as the Cabinet Office and Offices of the Premier and the Deputy Governor.
The initiative is the first of a series of initiatives under the STEP into Wellness national awareness and education campaign.
Highlighting the campaign’s public health impact, the Chief Nursing Officer, Mrs. Felicia McLean, said: “Regular physical activity is one of the most effective ways to prevent and manage chronic diseases while supporting both physical and mental wellbeing. Move it Cayman has helped remind us that incorporating movement into our daily routines does not require extraordinary effort, just commitment. We encourage everyone to continue building on the healthy habits they have developed throughout the campaign.”
Over the 12-week campaign, individuals, workplaces, schools, and community groups demonstrated their commitment to improving their health and wellbeing while fostering a culture of wellness. Over 1,000 people signed up to the TeamFit app which allowed participants to form or join teams, motivate each other, and earn points throughout the challenge. A variety of prizes were also awarded for engagement and competition winners throughout the campaign period.
Minister for Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage, Hon. Isaac Rankine, said: “Move It Cayman demonstrates the important role sport and physical activity play in building a healthier community. Promoting an active and healthy lifestyle for all is one of our Ministry’s key priorities, and we are proud to have worked alongside our sporting associations and other Government ministries to bring this initiative to life.”
Chief Officer for the Ministry of Education and Training, Ms. Cetonya Cacho, said: “Healthy students are better equipped to learn, grow, and reach their full potential. As a Ministry, we are proud to have supported this initiative and to encourage schools, students, and families to make physical activity a regular part of everyday life. We remain committed to working collaboratively across government to foster healthy habits from an early age, helping to build stronger outcomes both inside and outside the classroom.”
While Move It Cayman has come to a close, it also marks the beginning of the next phase of the STEP into Wellness campaign.
Guided by the findings of the STEPS 2023 National Health Survey, STEP into Wellness is a national awareness and education initiative designed to empower residents to prevent or reduce the impact of non-communicable diseases by making informed, sustainable lifestyle choices. The campaign focuses on four key pillars: Movement, Nourishment, Mindfulness and Knowledge, encouraging individuals to stay physically active, make healthier food choices, prioritise mental wellbeing, and better understand their own health.
Mrs. McLean added: “As we build on the success of Move it Cayman, our focus will shift to ‘Nourishment’, which is the next pillar of STEP into Wellness. This phase will encourage residents to make informed food choices and better understand nutrition to support lifelong wellbeing. In the meantime, we encourage everyone who participated in Move it Cayman to complete the post-campaign survey. Whether you joined for a day or completed the entire challenge, your feedback will help us understand what worked well, where we can improve, and how we can make future initiatives even better.”
The Chief Officer for the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability, Ms. Tamara Ebanks, said the success of the campaign reflects the Ministry's ongoing commitment to collaborative, evidence-based health promotion initiatives that empower residents to lead healthier lives.
"The success of Move It Cayman reflects the strength of collaboration across government, our community partners and the many residents who embraced the campaign. As a Ministry, we remain committed to delivering evidence-based initiatives that improve health outcomes and create opportunities for people to make healthier choices. Building on this momentum, we look forward to advancing the STEP into Wellness campaign and continuing to work with our partners to foster a healthier Cayman Islands."