$30 MILLION TO PROMOTE HEALTHY LIVING IN B.C.

VANCOUVER – The Province is investing $30 million in health promotion through partnerships with the BC Healthy Living Alliance and 2010 Legacies Now, Health Minister George Abbott announced today.

“We are supporting programs that promote healthy living and prevent illness in our society,” said Abbott. “Research tells us that four risk factors are the major causes of our most common chronic diseases. Lifestyle choices about nutrition, exercise, tobacco use and healthy choices during pregnancy can make a real difference in our own health, and in the sustainability of the entire health-care system.”

The BC Healthy Living Alliance is receiving a one-time grant of $25.2 million to pursue recommendations outlined in their report, “The Winning Legacy – A plan for improving the health of British Columbians by 2010.” The plan includes:

promoting wellness and supporting chronic disease prevention;
enhancing collaboration among local government, non-government and private sector organizations; and,
increasing the capacity of communities to create and sustain health-promoting policies, environments, programs and services.

“We are building on British Columbia’s reputation as the healthiest province in Canada by providing resources to these two groups with vital community links to promote healthier lifestyles for British Columbians,” said Abbott. “The BCHLA and 2010 Legacies Now have a depth and breadth of expertise, knowledge and community partnerships that will help us achieve the goals of ActNow BC.”

“About 1.2 million people in British Columbia suffer from one or more chronic conditions – a large proportion of which are preventable,” said Suzanne Allard Strutt, chair of the BC Healthy Living Alliance. “Like the provincial government, the member agencies of the BCHLA understand the power and positive impact of promoting wellness and supporting chronic disease prevention. By creating environments where healthy choices are the easy choices – like eating healthy, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight and living tobacco-free – we will be on the right track to ensuring a ‘Winning Legacy’ for British Columbians.”

2010 Legacies Now is receiving a grant of $4.8 million to support physical activity and healthy lifestyles and to collaborate with local governments and partner organizations to increase the proportion of the B.C. population who are physically active.

“This government continues to show a commitment to challenge British Columbians to be 20 per cent more physically active by 2010,” said Marion Lay, president of 2010 Legacies Now. “Our organization is a partner in meeting that challenge and this new funding will help us create innovative new active living and sport programs accessible to all British Columbians.”

Abbott noted that reducing the risk factors that cause many of chronic diseases can help improve quality of life for British Columbians, reduce the burden of disease and reduce demand on our health-care system:

In 2003, only 40 per cent of B.C. adults reported eating five or more servings of fruit and vegetables a day. Improved diets could reduce death from cardiovascular disease and stroke by 20 per cent and from cancer and diabetes by 30 per cent;
In 2003, 42 per cent of B.C. adults were overweight or obese. Overweight/obesity costs $730 million to $830 million annually;
In 2003, only 58 per cent of British Columbians were physically or moderately active, Physical inactivity costs us more than $570 million a year;
Smoking kills more than 5,800 British Columbians every year. Fifteen per cent of British Columbians use tobacco. The direct and indirect costs are about $1.2 billion annually.
In 2003, one in 10 pregnant women still smoked when their babies were born and one in 10 drank alcohol while pregnant. The chemicals from tobacco smoke and alcohol affect the unborn baby and can cause Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

ActNow BC is government’s health and wellness initiative that promotes healthy living choices that improve our quality of life. ActNow BC focuses on healthy eating, physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, tobacco control and making healthy choices during pregnancy.

-30-

1 backgrounder(s) attached.
Media contact:	Marisa Adair Public Affairs Bureau Ministry of Health 250 952-1887

For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.