MEDIA BACKGROUNDER
Provincial and territorial initiatives to promote wellness and stronger families
VANCOUVER, July 21, 2011 – All provincial and territorial governments are active in the area of families and family health, including programs for children, parents and seniors. The following is a sampling of the many initiatives underway in provinces and territories to promote wellness and stronger families.
ALBERTA – Active Alberta
The Government of Alberta has long recognized the importance of recreation, active living and sport to the lives of Albertans, and has been closely involved with partners to develop a ten year plan to refocus initiatives in these areas. This new policy – Active Alberta – is a province-wide initiative designed to counteract the trend toward inactive, sedentary lifestyles and inspire Albertans to become more active every day. In collaboration with non-profit organizations, other levels of government, the private sector, individuals, and other stakeholders, Active Alberta goes beyond raising public awareness to address six key objectives:
- encouraging more Albertans to more active, more often;
- ensuring Alberta communities are more active, creative, safe, and inclusive;
- enabling Albertans to remain connected with nature by exploring the outdoors;
- engaging Albertans in community-based recreation and volunteer activities;
- coordinating with partners to provide quality recreation, active living and sport opportunities; and
- ensuring Albertans have opportunities to achieve athletic excellence.
In meeting these objectives, Active Alberta will ensure Albertans enjoy a high quality of life, improved health and wellness, strong communities, economic benefits, and personal fulfillment, through recreation, active living and sport. More information can be found at: http://tpr.alberta.ca/activealberta/default.aspx
BRITISH COLUMBIA – Healthy Families BC
The $68.7-million Healthy Families BC strategy will help families make healthy choices and introduce innovative approaches to challenges facing BC’s health care system.
The four-pronged Healthy Families BC strategy will support families and communities in the following key areas:
- Healthy Lifestyles – supporting British Columbians in managing their own health and reducing chronic disease by working with physicians to ensure consistent delivery of proven prevention initiatives.
- Healthy Eating – initiatives aimed at supporting healthy choices, in the home, the school and the community and creating environments that support the provision of healthier foods and make their choice easier.
- Healthy Start – helping the most vulnerable families in British Columbia get the best start in life.
- Healthy Communities– encouraging British Columbians to lead healthier lives where they live, work, learn and play.