Photo taken by: Roi Elrom

The council’s vision and the importance of health

In 2020, the Ma'alot-Tarshiha Council signed and joined the Healthy Cities Network to implement the principles and strategies that promote health and sustainability for both present and future generations. The Ma'alot-Tarshiha municipality has pledged to enhance and advance the factors that affect the health of the residents: environmental, educational, social, and other factors, in cooperation with various organizations and local enterprises. The council has a health unit which is managed by the municipal health coordinator. Most initiatives in 2020 were centered around the COVID-19 situation and influenced by it.

Health-promoting policy

Upon joining the Efsharibari in the City project, the council prioritized the development of policies in three key areas:

• Establishing a policy for buffets, meetings, and events under the responsibility of the authority: making changes to the permanent menu of the buffet and refreshments, and helping in updating all the employees of the authority about the change in menu 
• Promoting a policy of a smoke-free city, with an emphasis on enforcement through municipal supervision, a public campaign and raising awareness about the harmful effects of smoking
• Establishing a “Health Inspection” team in the Ma'alot-Tarshiha Municipality
• Establishing and keeping continuous contact between the Ma'alot-Tarshiha Municipality and the Healthy Cities Network, the Ministry of Health Northern District, the Acre Health Bureau, and local HMOs

Efsharibari in the community

• In 2020, a resuscitation course was conducted for the authority employees, and approximately 20 employees took part
• Lectures are conducted on the issue of healthy nutrition in public places
• Activities for World Walking Day for all the city residents
• Unique projects for older adults
• Unique projects for infants
• Zoom workshops on the issue of healthy lifestyle

Unique program: making healthy food accessible at the local authority’s meetings

• The goal: to increase fruit and vegetable consumption and reduce consumption of foods high in fat and sugar among the authority’s employees
• Target Population: 18+ year-old city residents
• Partners: the Ma'alot-Tarshiha Municipality, the Association for Public Health

Efsharibari in education

Health promoting schools in 2019
Elementary schools: 8
High schools: 4
Health promoting kindergartens: 32

Link to the full map of health promoting education institutions

Key programs in the education system

• Raising awareness of obesity among residents, with emphasis on school and kindergarten children
• Raising awareness of a healthy and active lifestyle in the education system and among all residents
• A team of health promoters in schools was established in Ma'alot-Tarshiha

Publicity campaigns and peak events

• Establishing the cooperation with HMOs: the Health Week intiative at Zim Mall in the city, including customized activities and contents for several populations
• Cooperation with a youth center, the Association of Community Centers and the Sports Promotion Society in activities and suitable workshops for the Covid era: functional training, yoga, martial arts and so on
• Social media campaign: age-appropriate activities (for older adults) and clubs for the elderly, activities for women etc
• World Walking Day campaign: encouraging residents to participate in activities near Monfort Lake - residents were invited to send videos and take part of a drawing of a family sports package; a march for families during which social distancing was maintained

Further reading

Efsharibari in the City: map of participating local authorities and companies (Hebrew)
Efsharibari in the City guide for local authorities (Hebrew)