Wellness Fund Provides Boost to South West Nova Projects

HEALTH PROMOTION--Wellness Fund Provides Boost to South West Nova Projects

Community health promotion projects in South West Nova Health Authority are getting a financial boost of almost $34,000 from the Office of Health Promotion. Funds will be awarded to successful applicants through the area's four community health boards.

The support comes from Health Promotion's $348,000 Wellness Fund and will be directed toward projects that address physical activity, healthy eating, injury prevention, addiction prevention, healthy sexuality and tobacco control.

"Community health boards engage people at the local level and help create 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 Health Promotion Wellness Fund helps non-profit community groups and organizations develop local health promotion and illness prevention projects and programs.

"This wellness funding gives us the opportunity to fund worthwhile community projects that we would not otherwise be able to support financially," said Cathy Blades, vice-president of community health for South West District Health Authority.

Community health boards will soon seek project proposals relevant to needs in their communities in Shelburne, Yarmouth and Digby counties.

"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.