NCFC challenges community with Move it Cayman

On Sunday, 29 March 2026, the Cayman Islands Government (CIG) will be launching the national movement challenge Move it Cayman.  Spearheaded by the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability (MHES), Move it Cayman – the first initiative under the Step into Wellness campaign –    aims to get the nation moving, one step at a time, to safeguard overall health and wellbeing.

“The STEPS 2023 National Health Survey gave us invaluable information about the health of our nation,” explains Chief Nursing Officer, Mrs. Felicia McLean.  “We know what the risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are for those of us who live here in Cayman.  Now that we have the information, we have to act on it.  This is where the Step into Wellness campaign comes into play.” 

Step into Wellness is a national awareness and education campaign that aims to empower individuals to prevent or mitigate the impact of NCDs on their own health.  Step into Wellness focuses on four key areas:

• Movement: Physical activity contributes to prevention and management of NCDs such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes.  It also reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety, enhances brain health, and can improve overall wellbeing.

• Nourishment: Consuming a healthy diet throughout the course of one’s life helps to prevent malnutrition in all its forms as well as a range of NCDs and conditions.

• Mindfulness:  Mental health is a state of mental wellbeing that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.  It has intrinsic and instrumental value and is integral to our well-being.

• Knowledge:  Understanding one’s body and its functions is crucial for maintaining good health. This knowledge, known as body awareness, helps us recognise and respond to our body's signals.  When coupled with health literacy - the ability to understand and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions - we can make informed decisions about your wellbeing.

“The STEPS survey results were quite eye-opening,” explains Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, Minister of Health, Environment and Sustainability.  “While my Ministry and the Public Health Department certainly have our work cut out for us, the reality is that health does not exist in a vacuum. The social determinants of health, meaning our neighbourhoods, our employers, education facilities and access to green spaces, all play a significant role on the state of our health.  I am happy to be a part of a government that understands this, and that so many of my colleagues have joined us in this endeavour to make this a truly national campaign.”

Move it Cayman is a collaborative effort between MHES and the Ministries of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage, Education and Training, District Administration and Home Affairs, as well as the Cabinet Office and the Offices of the Premier and the Deputy Governor.

“Move it Cayman is an excellent example of what we can achieve when we work together to support the health and well-being of our people,” adds Premier the Hon. Andre Ebanks. “It’s encouraging to see Ministries, the Civil Service and our wider community coming together around such a positive initiative.  I would encourage everyone to lean in, get involved, get moving and enjoy being part of a national effort to build a healthier Cayman.  Let’s move it!”

Move it Cayman is the first of a series of planned projects and initiatives that will make up the Step into Wellness campaign.  The goal is simple: to help individuals increase their movement no matter what level of activity they currently partake in.  The challenge, which is open to all residents of the Cayman Islands,  will run for a period of 12 weeks starting on 29 March 2026, at the DG 5K Challenge.

“No one should deny that movement is vital to our health and I am delighted that the Move it Cayman challenge is being launched,” states Hon. Franz Manderson, Deputy Governor. “It aligns with our efforts in the Civil Service to prioritise health and wellness, both among our employees and in the community. This is an important priority; I encourage everyone to participate in the challenge and get moving, for your health’s sake.”

There is no age restriction for participation in the challenge, as movement is not only encouraged, but necessary throughout one’s life cycle, so residents of all ages are welcome to take part.

“Physical activity is essential to building healthier communities and improving quality of life at every age and stage,” adds Hon. Isaac Rankine, Minister for Youth, Sports, Culture & Heritage. “The Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage remains committed to creating opportunities and spaces that encourage our people to move more, stay active, and embrace healthy lifestyles.”

Schools, children and families are encouraged to participate as the challenge aims to enhance existing efforts to help young people develop healthy habits.

“Through physical education and a range of sporting activities, our schools encourage students to stay active and develop healthy habits that can last a lifetime,” explains Hon. Rolston Anglin, Minister for Education and Training. “The Move it Cayman challenge complements these efforts by encouraging students to make movement part of their daily lives. I encourage our Ministry, Department and schools to take part and support this national effort to prioritise health and well-being.”

The MHES team has also engaged stakeholders in the public, private and NPO sectors for collaboration and to join forces in making more opportunities for movement available to the community during the challenge.  “We want as many people to join this challenge as possible.  Businesses that have employee wellness programmes, or that are interested in getting staff more active, are invited to get in touch with us and share their goals for the challenge,” adds Mrs. McLean. “We will be launching a community calendar of both free and discounted events across all three islands that will help residents see what is on offer throughout the three months.  We will also be engaging with participants via social media throughout the event and will be offering opportunities for both individuals and groups to enter to win fun prizes.” 

Registration is now open, and the sign-up survey is available on gov.ky/moveitcayman. 

Health and fitness stakeholders who wish to contribute to the calendar can email MHWsteps@gov.ky to learn more or to join the challenge.

Businesses that would like to register for the challenge, can do so via this link: https://app.smartsheet.eu/b/form/019d068ba88f76588743e61ec7f074f7

Schools can also register to participate via this link: https://app.smartsheet.eu/b/form/019d06777ee370f983a9d3178aeca376