Presentation to Folkehelsealliansen Nordlund The Role of BC Healthy Living Alliance. Mary Collins, Director BC Healthy Living Alliance May

Transcription

1 Presentation to Folkehelsealliansen Nordlund The Role of BC Healthy Living Alliance Mary Collins, Director BC Healthy Living Alliance May

2 BC Healthy Living Alliance Mission is: To improve the health of all British Columbians through leadership and collaboration to address the risk factors and health inequities that contribute significantly to chronic disease Goal: Reduce the burden of chronic disease Advocacy, Collaboration & Capacity building

3 BC Healthy Living Alliance Alliance of nine organizations representing chronic disease groups, professional associations and municipal leaders Health authorities and provincial health Ministry of healthy living represented as well

4 BC Healthy Living Alliance The largest health promotion team in the history of BC Health promotion through public awareness, policy & advocacy, service delivery & community development 9 voting members 40,000 volunteers, 4,300 health & recreation professionals & 184 local governments across BC

5 History The organizations involved in BCHLA came together in 2003 to work to improve the health of British Columbians Supported by the ADM of Population Health with the Ministry of Health Initial investment of $50,000 from government Members invested in advocacy Winning Legacy evidence based report to support a large investment in health promotion

6 The Winning Legacy A Plan for Improving the Health of British Columbians by 2010 Estimated annual costs of $3.8B could be avoided Calculated initial $1.1B investment required Recommended 27 strategic interventions based on risk factor targets BC Government has acted on many recommendations (i.e.: tobacco regulations, school/ public building food guidelines, physical activity in schools, ActNow BC, etc.)

7 Healthy Living: Targets for 2010 CURRENT STATE [Source: BCHLA] 8/10 do not smoke BCHLA TARGETS 9/10 will not smoke ActNow BC TARGETS 8.5/10 will not smoke 4/10 eat at least 5 servings of vegetables & fruit a day 6/10 are physically active 5/10 are a healthy weight 225,000 British Columbians 7/10 will eat over 5 servings of vegetables & fruit a day + 948,000 British Columbians 7/10 will be physically active + 351,000 British Columbians 7/10 will be a healthy weight 5/10 will eat at least 5 servings of vegetables & fruits a day 7/10 will get enough activity for health benefits 7/10 will be at a healthy weight + 349,000 British Columbians

8 Healthy Living Initiatives Healthy Eating Strategy Physical Activity Strategy Tobacco Reduction Strategy Initiatives: 1) Healthy Food & Beverage Sales Local Government and Recreation Facilities 2) Support for School Guidelines 3) Farm to School Salad Bar 4) Food Skills for Families Initiatives: 1) Walk BC 2) Everybody Active 3) Community based Awareness 4) Built Environment & Active Transportation Initiatives: 1) Smoke Free Workplaces 2) Post Secondary Institution Initiative 3) Quitters Unite! 4) Community Detailing 5) Smoke Free Housing (in Multi Unit Dwellings) 5) Sip Smart! BC Community Capacity Building Strategy 70 community based projects led in partnership with local organizations & champions

9 Healthy Eating: A Focus on Families Target population: Adults (35 54) and their children Rationale: Research: poor consumption of veggies & fruit in adults and children Trend towards increasing obesity in children Food insecurity is related to poor access & consumption of veggies & fruit and consumption of unhealthy choices Family/home environment offers: Potential to increase exposure/availability of nutritious foods, reduce availability of unhealthy choices to children, model healthy eating behaviours, and share cooking skills

10 Healthy Eating Initiatives 1. Healthy Food and Beverage Sales (where families work, play and learn) 2. Farm to School Salad Bar 3. Food Skills for Families 4. SipSmart BC!

11 Physical Activity Strategy Budget: $6.0 M Target: Inactive adults aged 35 to 54 years Rationale: High rates of physically inactive (44.1%) 43% of the BC population Accessed in health promotion settings: community, workplace, and health services Potential to reach and influence other populations including: Children and youth Older adults and parents Targeting this group will also have an impact on healthy aging, which has positive ramifications as this group moves into an older demographic

12 Tobacco Reduction Strategy Budget: $4.54 M Target Population: Young Adults (19 29) Rationale: Highest prevalence rate in BC More likely than older adults to be social smokers 45% of daily smokers began between the ages of 18 and 29 years More likely to be exposed to second hand smoke Cigarette companies have invested heavily to capture young adult smoker Percent yr age categories Smoking Prevalence

13 Capacity Building Focus 4 Key Functions: 1. Strengthen Regional Networks 2. Align BCHLA Initiatives with existing groups 3. Build Capacity in At Risk/Priority Communities 4. Expand Opportunities for BCHLA Initiatives

14 Healthy Living Initiatives Reach Impacted 229 BC communities, many rural, remote and Aboriginal 36,700 British Columbians actively participated Additional 1,237,800 were exposed to the messaging

15 BCHLA Policy and Advocacy BCHLA commissioned a study on social and economic determinants Undertook survey of attitudes including interviews and conversations with representatives from vulnerable groups Held regional discussions with multisector groups to add to input

16 Healthy Futures for BC Families BCHLA Policy Discussion Forums Four held around province in partnership with health authorities To build cross sectoral consensus on policies to address those social issues that can impede or enhance the health of a society

17 POLICY: Healthy Futures for BC Families Social Determinants of Health Income & food security, early childhood development & care, housing, education & literacy, health equity, supportive environments, transportation

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19 POLICY: Healthy Futures for BC Families Early Childhood Development & Care Extend parental leave ~18 months Universal Childcare more quality spaces Pre & After school programs Cont d support for Aboriginal Head Start Increase training & wages for ECE workers

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21 POLICY: Healthy Futures for BC Families Security in Income, Food & Home Poverty reduction plan Income Assistance [healthy diet, real rental costs & indexed to inflation] Increase child tax benefit & supplement [$5100] Full spectrum of housing for those in need As family income falls, the likelihood that children will experience problems increases. Rates of poor health, hyperactivity and delayed vocabulary development have been shown in low income families.

22 New policy work: Tackling Childhood Obesity Ban Marketing to Children Health Promoting Schools Improve Access to Healthy Foods in Rural & Remote Communities Targets and timelines for industry to drastically reduce sodium, fat and sugar content in packaged foods. Taxation of sugar sweetened beverages Healthy Built Environments planning with healthy living lens, active transport & revitalized recreation facilities

23 Advocacy Recent Activities Presentations to Government Committees Published new Papers: Healthy Living in BC The Next Generation; Recommendations for Tackling Overweight and Obesity in BC Development of paper with a Healthy Families lens to align with new Premier s priorities Continuing work on development of policies on alcohol

24 What We Know Policy environments and physical environments support healthy lifestyles Healthy living starts with communities Health Equity Focus on interventions that lessen disparities Whole of government, whole of society approach

25 Partnerships & Coalitions Why build partnerships and coalitions? Requirements for effective partnerships and coalitions Personal Leadership for coalition building Some real life experiences! BCHLA examples and lessons learned

26 Why Build Partnerships & Coalitions? Can t do it all alone especially where major shifts in public opinion or behaviour required Decision makers more responsive to the power behind coalitions Can be more effective in delivering programs, advocating policy, integrating knowledge Greater flexibility and allows organizations to maintain identity but still be part of a larger group

27 Challenges Difficult to get partners who have different priorities to work together on common goal Need to set aside personal/organizational interests for good of coalition Advocacy may be watered down to get support from all Other priorities emerge and interest in the coalition may wane Leadership changes may impact on coalition

28 Core Values Collaborative: BCHLA will be collaborative in all its work, as this forms the basis for leveraging the strengths of the members, extending abilities, and engaging diverse audiences and vulnerable populations. Visionary and forward thinking: BCHLA will have foresight in its planning, will work towards the visions of a healthy British Columbia, and will be receptive to promising and creative approaches in health promotion. Accountable: BCHLA is reliable, dependable and accountable in its actions

29 Goals 1. Alliance Building Build and sustain the commitment and participation of the members of the Alliance. 2. Chronic Disease Prevention and Healthy Living Work to reduce the prevalence of risk factors for chronic disease. Work to reduce the health inequities that contribute to chronic disease.

30 Progress to date $ 25 million Winning Legacy initiatives completed but many of the initiatives are continuing 202 organizations participated in forums from many sectors to provide input to Healthy Futures for BC Families policy recommendations for improving the health of British Columbians September 2009 Participate in many alliances to promote policy agenda poverty reduction, obesity strategy, healthy built environment, healthy child development etc. Continuing to update policy agenda based upon new evidence and new opportunities for action

31 BCHLA Elements for Success Integrated approach across chronic disease spectrum Collaborative approach, building on one another s strengths Working with non traditional partners

32 BC Healthy Living Alliance An alliance in and of itself But also part of web of involvement with other alliances, coalitions, networks. Need to maintain identity but contribute to others agendas Need to understand the limits as well as flexibility to help reach solutions Patience, time and commitment

33 More elements of success Clear terms of reference and processes Evidence & consensus Evaluation Political will Public is supportive due to BC s active population Alignment with CDPAC Canada wide support for chronic disease prevention

34 Requirements for effective partnerships/coalitions Need clear Terms of Reference Need clear processes for reaching consensus, decisions, resolving conflicts Recognize equality even though some members may be more powerful in their own right Clarity around role, branding of coalition Life cycle of coalitions may be time limited around issues, activities okay to let go. Appropriate infrastructure to support coalition

35 Personal Leadership for coalition building Listening to others Willing to compromise Shared roles Trusting Conflict resolution without blaming Flexible within certain boundaries

36 What is next for Nordlund? Consider some of the elements of success that BCHLA has had Are there lessons that would be applicable for Nordlund? What other information might you require?