News release

Support for Community Health Promotion

Office of Health Promotion (Jan. 2003 - May 2005)

Community projects in Pictou County are getting a healthy shot in the arm thanks to more than $18,000 from the Office of Health Promotion. The money, announced today, Dec. 10, by Health Promotion Minister Rodney MacDonald, will help non-profit groups develop health promotion programs.

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

"Community health boards engage people at the local level to create healthier communities," said Mr. MacDonald. "Supporting the people and projects on the front line is an important part of our plan to build a healthier Nova Scotia."

The wellness fund helps to address Health Promotion's six priority areas: physical activity; healthy eating; injury prevention; addiction prevention; healthy sexuality; and tobacco control. Community health boards within the Pictou County Health Authority will work with their partners to develop programs to address their specific health priorities.

"The role of community health boards is to enhance knowledge and resources, and work to improve the health of our citizens," said Ann MacLean, vice president of community health for the health authority. "This funding will be helpful seed money for our community health boards to encourage community members to get involved in health promotion programs."

The Pictou County Health Authority has two community health boards -- Pictou West, and Central and East Pictou. The health authority supports these boards by providing a full-time health planner as well as part-time clerical support. The community health boards each receive $5,000 annually for operational expenses and education support for members.

"We all have a role to play in achieving our vision of a healthy province. This is another important step in realizing our objective," said Mr. MacDonald.