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| Original News Release |
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| Original News Release |
ActNow BC is a cross-government health promotion initiative that seeks to improve the health of British Columbians by taking steps to address common risk factors and reduce chronic disease. Research has shown that inactivity, poor nutrition, overweight and obesity, tobacco use and unhealthy choices in pregnancy are the key risk factors contributing to the main chronic disease categories in B.C.
ActNow BC’s goals by 2010 are to:
ActNow BC supports schools, employers, local governments and communities to develop and promote programs that make healthy choices the easy choices for all British Columbians.
Using a best practice approach that is comprehensive, integrated and engaging to encourage small shifts in behaviour, ActNow BC will help British Columbia achieve its aim of leading North America in healthy living and physical fitness.
The initiative is led by the Ministry of Health and involves all provincial ministries as well as key external partners, including 2010 Legacies Now, the Union of BC Municipalities, the BC Recreation and Parks Association, and the BC Healthy Living Alliance.
Action Schools! BC
Action Schools! BC is a physical
activity and nutrition model to help teachers and administrators integrate
physical activity and healthy eating in school policy.
www.actionschoolsbc.ca/
Active Communities
Active Communities is an initiative to
mobilize and support local governments, partner organizations and their
community partners to increase the proportion of the population who are
physically active on a regular basis in their communities. This program is a
partnership with 2010 Legacies Now and the BC Recreation and Parks Association.
BC School Fruit and Vegetable
Snack Program
This pilot study provides one serving
of B.C.-grown fruits or vegetables two times a week to children at 10
elementary schools in the province.
Community Food Action Initiatives
These initiatives support the development
and implementation of community food security plans and activities that improve
access to safe, culturally acceptable, nutritionally adequate diets through a
sustainable food system.
Healthy
Communities Initiatives and Healthy Planning Seminars
The Union
of BC Municipalities is leading these initiatives to support communities in
developing healthy public policy and encourage public leaders to talk about
healthy planning in their communities.
tobaccofacts.org
A youth and teacher oriented web-based
prevention resource outlining the impacts of tobacco use and alternatives for
healthy living.
www.quitnow.ca
A free-to-B.C.-residents online tool to
help smokers quit and give them information about resources available in their
region.
quitnow
by phone
quitnow by phone is a confidential tobacco
cessation help line available free-of-charge to residents of B.C. The service
is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day, so that callers can seek help when
they need it most. 1-877-455-2233.
Ministry of Education -
Healthy Schools
The concept of healthy schools has emerged out of a
global movement that recognizes two key ideas: healthy children are better able
to learn, and schools can directly influence children’s health.
www.bced.gov.bc.ca/health/welcome.htm
Making
It Happen
This
site provides a starting point for schools that are ready to engage in a host
of healthy options that work for students, schools and parents.
www.knowledgenetwork.ca/makingithappen/
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Public Affairs Bureau Ministry of Health 250 952-1887 |
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