Government Action Urged to Improve the Overall Health of British Columbians

Recommendations by BC Healthy Living Alliance follow province-wide consultations with more than 200 organizations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 15, 2009

VANCOUVER, BC: Phasing in universal childcare, improving access to healthy food for all British Columbians – especially in rural and remote areas, and assigning a Minister to lead a poverty reduction plan for BC.These are but a few of the 45 recommendations to government released today by the BC Healthy Living Alliance in its report “Healthy Futures for BC Families – policy recommendations for improving the health of British Columbians”. The document is the result of extensive research, focus groups and a consultation process with representatives from 202 organizations across the province, and directs its recommendations to all levels of government.

“Everyone in BC should have an equal chance to be healthy and this report provides recommendations that can help to make that a reality” said Bobbe Wood, Chair of BCHLA and President and CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, BC & Yukon.

Ms. Wood explained, “We know from international and local research that to improve the overall health of this province, we need to do more for the least healthy”. BC data shows that Aboriginal peoples, immigrants, those with mental health issues and other low income British Columbians are more likely to have poorer health.

The stress and lack of resources from living on low income makes it extremely difficult for people to live healthy lives, putting them at a higher risk for lung and heart diseases, cancer and diabetes. A supportive environment including affordable housing, early childhood development and care and a fair income can make a difference. BCHLA recommends that government start by building on existing efforts and working with the many supportive partners in business and the non-profit sector.

Ms Wood noted “These are difficult times but this a long-term plan and we must start. There is an economic pay-off, those countries that have invested in quality early childhood education systems and improving the incomes and health of poorer citizens are some of the top performing economies in the world.”

“Representatives from groups across BC agreed that it makes more sense to keep people healthy and productive so that they never need the expensive treatments required after they get sick.” Ms. Wood added that, “improving conditions for the least healthy can help reduce chronic disease rates and the burden on the health care system.”

The BC Healthy Living Alliance is the largest health promotion team ever assembled in the history of BC. It was formed in 2003 with a vision of a healthy British Columbia and a focus on the common risk factors and underlying determinants of chronic disease.

Click here to download the complete report

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Contact:
Rita Koutsodimos, Manager Communications
BC Healthy Living Alliance Secretariat
604-629-1630 / Mobile: 778-828-2069
rkoutsodimos[at]bchealthyliving.ca