CTV Ottawa and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario are starting a lengthy campaign to help keep kids out of the hospital.

CHEO experts will be sharing children’s health advice in a weekly Healthy Kids segment, starting Thursday and continuing each Wednesday for 20 weeks.

The hospital’s president and CEO Alex Munter said with the number of youth in the capital region growing by 90,000 in the next 20 years, prevention is key.

“They represent our region's dynamic future and we all have a stake in making sure they get the best possible start in life," he said.

“Evidence shows that preventing illness and injuries is a far better prescription for health and well-being then having to treat them.”

CTV Ottawa’s Carol Anne Meehan will co-host Thursday’s News at 6 live from CHEO to introduce the series and a set of healthy development awards.

“Winners might include coaches, teachers, students, volunteers, community groups, advocates, health service providers, social service agencies or companies who are going the ‘extra mile’ to help kids be healthy and safe,” said CTV Ottawa’s Graham Richardson, honourary co-chair of the awards along with Meehan.

More information on the partnership can be found on CHEO’s website.