Support for Community Health Promotion

Community health promotion projects in the Capital District are getting a boost from the province's Office of Health Promotion. Capital Health has received almost $80,000 to distribute to its Community Health Boards.

The support comes from the office's $348,000 Community Health Board (CHB) Wellness Fund. The fund is designed to enable non- profit community groups and organizations to address health priorities by developing local health promotion and illness prevention projects and programs.

"Community Health Boards engage people at the local level and build capacity for creating healthier communities," said Health Promotion Minister Rodney MacDonald. "Supporting the people and projects on the front line is an important part of our plan to build a healthier Nova Scotia."

The projects supported by these funds will be directed at the Office of Health Promotion's priority areas: physical activity, healthy eating, injury prevention, addiction prevention, healthy sexuality and tobacco control. The CHBs will work with community partners to develop programs that address their specific health priorities.

Barbara Hall, vice president of clinical care (community, restorative and continuing care services) with Capital Health, said these new funds will allow even more progress at the community level.

"It's a helpful addition to the $20,000 the district currently provides each CHB through our community development fund," she said. "It allows our CHBs to become actively involved in their communities and in partnering with other community groups to develop new and innovative ways to address the health challenges we face."

The funds will be used to build healthier communities, either through large-scale special projects or smaller community initiatives. The Community Health Boards will determine the best use of the funds based on the needs of their communities.

"We all have a role to play in achieving our vision of a healthy province. Government has a role -- in public education, support for sport and recreation, and in prevention of addiction, illness and injury. Community Health Boards also have an important role. They are the eyes, ears and voice of communities across the province and they make a difference at the ground level," said Mr. MacDonald.