Communities Are Key To Improving Health

Each community must play a part in improving the health of Nova Scotians, and must be given the support to do so. This is what concerned individuals and groups told the Minister of Health Promotion, Rodney MacDonald, at the first meeting of the health promotion advisory committee held Tuesday, Nov. 30.

Representatives of 15 organizations in the field of health and health promotion congratulated Mr. MacDonald on the accomplishments of the Office of Health Promotion, including programs to reduce Nova Scotia's smoking rates and to increase the number of Nova Scotians who are physically active, and ongoing work with the Department of Education to offer healthy food in schools.

Newly elected co-chair of the committee, Dr. Rob Strang, president, Smoke Free Nova Scotia, said, "We told the minister and he agreed, that the health and well-being of Nova Scotians is a collective responsibility. All levels of society and governments have to be on board. This can't be seen as only the responsibility of individuals or only an issue for Health Promotion and the Department of Health."

Mr. MacDonald said that work is underway to help communities build the support systems they need to encourage people to lead healthier lives. He said increased funding for community health boards and the physical activity grants are important first steps but there is more to be done, including listening to what communities need most. He added he is expecting work to move quickly. "We in Health Promotion will be judged and measured by what we do, not what we plan to do," he said.

Co-chair Scott Logan, assistant deputy minister of Health Promotion, said Health Promotion is focusing on more than lifestyle changes. "We're working with other departments in government to make sure improving the health of Nova Scotians is a focus in all areas, be it education, transportation or community services. It's not enough to tell people to make healthier choices, they need the support to do that where they live, work and play."

The health promotion advisory committee is made up of organizations that represent aboriginal peoples, health providers, sport and recreation organizations, senior citizens, youth healthy sexuality groups, people with AIDS, municipalities, public health associations, health charities, African Nova Scotians, health-care professionals and educators.

The Office of Health Promotion is focusing on six priority areas:
physical activity, healthy eating, tobacco control, injury prevention, addiction prevention and healthy sexuality.