Jordan

Safe Kids Jordan/Royal Health Awareness Society is a Jordanian nonprofit organization aimed at enhancing the overall well-being of the local community by raising health awareness and empowering Jordanians to embrace healthy lifestyles and behaviors. In 2009, the Royal Health Awareness Society became a member of Safe Kids Worldwide.

The Royal Health Awareness Society initiates and supports community-based health and safety interventions in partnership with public, private and civil society institutions, including Safe Kids.

Programs of Royal Health Awareness Society include:

• Safe Kids
• Junior Road Safety Club

Highlights

KAII Award for Physical Fitness Reach 50% of Schools

King Abdullah II Award for Physical Fitness is a school-based national initiative that fosters behavior change and encourages children to integrate physical activity into their lifestyles so they can lead healthier lives.

The program is in its fifth year, and more than 1,500 schools participate in the program. More than 305,000 students, both boys and girls, took part in the program.

Before joining the program, fitness levels among students were weak (rated 46.2 percent for children 9-16 years old). After participation in the program, fitness levels improved by 9.3 percent, and there was also an increase in the percentage of students reaching their ideal weight.

National Healthy School Accreditation Ends Pilot Phase and Announces Accreditation of 32 Healthy Schools

Healthy Schools is an accreditation program that sets standards for schools to reach in order to develop a healthy setting for living, learning and working. It was implemented on two sets of schools: 26 schools nominated by the MOE and 40 schools under the Madrasati Initiative. Twenty-two schools nominated by the MOE underwent final evaluation, and sixteen of the schools were accredited at the gold level, four were accredited at the silver level, and two schools failed the accreditation.

From the Madrasati schools, 20 schools were nominated for final evaluation. Of them, 10 received the accreditation while the other 10 failed to pass the evaluation but were certified as Health Competent schools due to active participation in conducting health activities.

A media campaign showcased the program winners and the Healthy Schools program and included a documentary film about Healthy Schools. An award ceremony featuring Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah was scheduled for September.

National Health Campaign Reaches 75% of Total Population

National Health Campaign is a media campaign targeting local communities about several health-related issues, spread via television, radio and print.

Twelve health topics (obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, winter safety, cancer, dental health, allergy, smoking, summer safety, mental health, disabilities, and heart health) were chosen in accordance with national health priorities and in harmony with the international agenda of the WHO in Jordan.

One topic broadcasts each month, with one health tip per week communicated through a variety of medial outlets. The project launched during the Holy Month of Ramadan on JTV and Nourmina TV and aired a two-minute animated clip. Health tips focused on the behaviors within the Holy Month of Ramadan.

According to a study conducted by Ipsos, messages delivered by television, radio spots, flyers, comic strips, newspaper articles and a calendar reached 75% of the total population.