One component of the Healthy Start initiative will be the implementation of the Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) program, which provides additional support for the most vulnerable clients – young, first time, low income parents and their children from pregnancy through two years of age.
Another component is the Prescription for Health program, which will give BC doctors additional tools to conduct medical assessments and work with patients to develop a health promotion and illness prevention plan that best suits their medical needs and personal situation. Patients may identify a lifestyle change goal, which will be documented by the physician on a Prescription for Health.
More information regarding Healthy Families BC can be found at: http://www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca/.
MANITOBA – Healthy Child Manitoba
Healthy Child Manitoba is a long-term, cross-departmental strategy to put children and families first. Guided by Canada’s only legislated committee of cabinet dedicated to the health and well-being of children and youth, the province has developed a network of supports including:
- Healthy Baby, aimed at improving the health of Manitoba’s most vulnerable babies and mothers. Prenatal benefits and education supports have resulted in fewer low weight and premature births, and a dramatic increase in breastfeeding rates.
- Roots of Empathy, helping school-aged children understand the feelings of others by introducing babies and their mothers into classrooms. It has cut the number of Manitoba kids getting into fights at school in half and is currently being expanded for younger children in child care, nursery school and preschool.
- Positive Parenting Program, helping parents create a loving, supportive and predictable home for their kids with easy-to-follow suggestions for small changes that can make a big difference.
NEW BRUNSWICK – Promoting Independence and Healthy Living for Seniors
New Brunswick is taking action to encourage seniors to be healthy, active and independent for as long as possible. By taking charge of their health, seniors will enjoy an improved quality of life.
The Senior and Healthy Aging Secretariat was established to co-ordinate the implementation of New Brunswick’s long-term care strategy Be Independent Longer. Actions to date include development and distribution of helpful information for seniors, public awareness campaigns on wellness and active living, the designation of the 3rd week in October as Healthy Active Living Week for Seniors, healthy living sessions in partnership with senior’s organizations, telephone reassurance and friendly visiting programs through the Red Cross, funding for community resource centres and day activity centres.
The partnership with Red Cross provides friendly visiting, telephone reassurance and transportation for isolated seniors. Managed by Red Cross these services are delivered by volunteers recruited by RC.
For more information on the Senior and Healthy Aging Secretariat, please refer to: http://www.gnb.ca/0182/index-e.asp.