Support for Community Health Promotion

Community health promotion projects in the Colchester and East Hants area are getting a financial boost of $92,000 this year -- $42,000 from the Office of Health Promotion and $50,000 from the Colchester East Hants Health Authority. Funds will be awarded to successful applicants through the area's five Community Health Boards (CHBs).

The amount is almost double what these groups received last year, thanks to new funding from the Office of Health Promotion's $348,000 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."

Funds provided from the Office of Health Promotion will be directed toward projects that address the office's priority areas: physical activity, healthy eating, injury prevention, addiction prevention, healthy sexuality and tobacco control. Funds from the district will be available to projects that may have a slightly broader focus. In both cases, the CHBs will work with community partners to develop programs that address their specific health priorities.

"This is the third year of the district's Wellness Fund initiative and this year, with the additional support from the Office of Health Promotion, it makes it all that more exciting," said Eleanor MacDougall, vice president of community health for the health authority. "The CHBs in this district have put a lot of effort into developing plans that reflect the health needs of our communities. This funding will once again provide the resources they need to put these plans into action."

Projects funded in the past range from tobacco reduction promotion, to ATV rider safety programs, from exercise and nutrition programs for children and youth, to a walking around the world program through which people were provided pedometers and encouraged to engage in a regular walking program.

"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 the minister.

Grant applications are being accepted by each of the district's five CHBs, including Along the Shore CHB, East Hants CHB, North Shore Area CHB, South Colchester CHB and Truro and Area CHB. For more information, local non-profit organizations can contact Steve Butt, CHB co-ordinator for Colchester East Hants Health Authority, at 902-893-6155.