Wellness Fund Provides Boost to Cumberland Projects

HEALTH PROMOTION--Wellness Fund Provides Boost to Cumberland Projects

People in the Cumberland area can look forward to healthier communities thanks to a financial boost of almost $24,000 to the Cumberland Health Authority, from the Office of Health Promotion. Funds for community health projects will be awarded to successful applicants through the area's three 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 to 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.

"Wellness funding creates opportunities for community health boards to promote initiatives at the local level," said Fran McMillan, Cumberland Health Authority's vice president of community health. "In collaboration with our community partners, the funding assists in addressing many of the factors that affect the health of our communities."

Community health boards will seek project proposals relevant to the needs in their communities, such as promoting healthy eating with children and concentrating on injury prevention with seniors.

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