On October 15 I had the pleasure of performing my first function as the new Chair of BCHLA.
As you may know, BCHLA is comprised of a diverse group of organizations dedicated to promoting healthy public policy as a disease prevention and health promotion strategy for our province.
On the 15th we celebrated the accomplishments we achieved as a result of a generous $25.2 million grant from the BC government. With this funding we addressed the common risk factors for chronic disease using an evidence-based and integrated health promotion approach based on promising practices for healthy living.
Fifteen initiatives were developed in four areas: healthy eating, physical activity, tobacco reduction and community capacity building. These initiatives reached 233 communities and a total of one quarter of British Columbians—many of whom have been “hard to reach” through more conventional mechanisms.
So, what specifics were achieved through these initiatives? We brought salad bars into schools and got sugary drinks out. We cleared the air with smoke-free campuses and apartment buildings. We provided skills to individuals who needed to learn how to cook, how to quit smoking and how to get active. And we helped bring communities together to plan for a healthier future with accessible facilities, bike routes, walking trails and an outdoor hockey rink.
Congratulations to everyone who engaged in these efforts!
But the story is not over. Many of the organizations that received funding are in the process of determining how they will sustain these initiatives into the future through other means.
BC continues to be the healthiest province in Canada—but we can and need to do better!
Working together, we can make that happen.