New Executive Director for Office of Health Promotion

HEALTH PROMOTION--New Executive Director for Office of Health Promotion

A new executive director, a commitment to work with stakeholders, and a new project on healthy foods in schools were announced today, Feb. 21, for the Office of Health Promotion.

Health Promotion Minister Rodney MacDonald named Scott Logan, former C.E.O. of Sport Nova Scotia, to the new position. Mr. Logan will work with a wide variety of groups and agencies, including governments and community groups, to guide the vision and structure of the Office of Health Promotion.

"The work of this new office is critical to help improve the health of Nova Scotians, and to achieve the well being and prosperity we see in our future," said Mr. MacDonald. "Mr. Logan's background in sport and health promotion includes extensive community involvement. He has the ability to combine vision with action, and we believe he's the right person to lead this new office."

Speaking at J.L. Ilsley High School in Halifax, the minister and executive director said one of the first priorities for the Office of Health Promotion is to work closely with schools, school boards, and other community stakeholders to conduct a survey of food choices in schools.

"There's a lot of interest in healthy food policy for schools and there's some great work going on around the province that we can build on," said Mr. Logan. "Research favours encouraging and educating students to make healthy choices, rather than banning certain foods from schools. Before we can talk about next steps, however, we first need to see if healthy food choices are available to students in cafeterias and hallways."

The Office of Health Promotion will work with stakeholders to integrate and build on many provincial programs, such as the tobacco strategy, the chronic disease prevention strategy and Active Kids, Healthy Kids.

"If we can help young people form healthy lifestyle habits, such as not smoking, being active and making healthy food choices, we can dramatically improve the long-term health of Nova Scotians," said Mr. Logan.

Many factors, such as education, safe environments and healthy child development can affect health. Mr. Logan said the Office of Health Promotion will work with people involved in many different sectors to address a variety of these concerns.

"I'm excited about this opportunity to improve the health and well- being of Nova Scotians. Promoting healthy lifestyles has been my lifelong passion and I look forward to applying my skills in new and creative ways," said Mr. Logan.

The new executive director officially assumes the role in mid- March, and will begin meeting with stakeholder groups over the next few weeks.