Residents aged 35 and above are being encouraged to check their blood pressure at least once a year while employers are being persuaded to organize more than 10 hours of exercise per month for its employees.

It's all part of a five-year plan to create a healthy city, officials from the Shanghai Patriotic Health Campaign Committee said yesterday.

During the plan (2006-2010) the city will select 20 healthy neighborhoods and 200 healthy enterprises. It will also pick 1,000 volunteers to promote the program and 10,000 healthy families to increase awareness of healthy lifestyles.

"Healthy neighborhoods are an integral part of the plan," said Li Zhongyang, vice director of the Shanghai Patriotic Health Campaign Committee. "Neighborhoods are the best place to launch education on a proper lifestyle, basic health services and chronic disease control. Neighborhood health centers will provide convenient and cheap services on disease prevention."

Authorities will also spread education on AIDS, other sexually-transmitted diseases and reproductive knowledge at karaokes, bars and residences of migrant workers, according to the plan.

Companies will encourage employees to donate blood, invite experts to give health lectures, provide physicals, organize exercise and ensure food safety.

(Shanghai Daily December 30, 2005)