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Transcript of Healthy Communities – what it is, why do it. Dr Trevor Hancock Public Health Consultant Ministry...
Healthy Communities – what it is,
why do it.
Dr Trevor HancockPublic Health Consultant
Ministry of HealthSeptember 2005
Vancouver ~ Vancouver ~ June 19-23, 2006
World Urban Forum 3Forum urbain mondial 3
United Nations
United Nations Event
Focus is to examine the impact of rapid urbanisation on communities and the challenges this presents for the future
What it is
Healthy communities takes the concepts of population health promotion and puts them into practice in the homes, schools, workplaces and neighbourhoods where we live, work and play.
Health promotion
“The process of enabling people to increase control over and improve their health”
The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion
WHO, 1986
The Determinants of Population Health
biology and genetic endowment, the physical environment, living and working conditions, personal health practices and coping skills
health services Advisory Committee on Population Health, 1997
Where we live
We are 80% urbanised We spend 90% of our time indoors We live 100% of the time on the planet, within natural ecosystems
So the built environment is the ‘natural habitat’ of Canadians . . .
but we are still subject to global and bioregional changes in ecosystem health
Settings
Homes, schools, workplaces, health care facilities, neighbourhoods, and cities are both
Physical places and Social spaces
A healthy city . . . " . . . is one that is continually creating and improving those physical and social environments and expanding those community resources that enable people to mutually support each other in performing all the functions of life and in developing to their maximum potential."
Hancock and Duhl, 1986
Healthy Community model
Healthy Communities approach
Community involvement The bedrock
Political commitment Local government is a key player
Intersectoral partnerships It takes a whole community . . .
Healthy public policy Creates the conditions for health
Why should local governments do it?
Because… they are where most Canadians live
they are the closest level of government to people
they are concerned with the quality of life of their citizens
they influence many of the determinants of health
It is within their legislated purpose
Community CharterMunicipal purposes7. The purposes of a municipality include . . . . (d) fostering the economic, social and environmental well-being of its community.
Local Government ActPurposes of regional districts 2. . ..the purposes of a regional district include . .
(d) fostering the current and future economic, social and environmental well-being of its community.
Local government & the health of the nation
"Many would be surprised to learn that the greatest contribution to the health of the nation over the past 150 years was made not by doctors or hospitals but by local government. Our lack of appreciation of the role of our cities in establishing the health of the nation is largely due to the fact that so little has been written about it..." Jessie Parfitt, 1987
Health as a factor in the growth of local government
In a study of the development of municipal departments in Toronto since 1834,
16 of 36 city services (44%) were found to have health concerns as contributors to their establishment and growth;
in 10 of the 16, health had a major impact on growth
Severs, 1989
Local government departments and health
Public works Fire and police
Housing Roads/ transportation
Parks and recreation
Urban planning
Infectious disease Injuries, safety Shelter, safety, indoor air
Safety, air quality, physical activity
Physical activity, air quality, nature, social
Zoned land use, safety, social interaction
What’s in it for local governments?
A healthier, happier and more productive population
Increased social cohesion and social capital
Improved environmental quality and sustainability
An attractive location for investment
Contact
Dr. Trevor HancockPublic Health Consultant
Ministry of Health 1515 Blanshard St, 4th Floor
Victoria BC V8W 3C8Tel: 250 952-1794Fax: 250 952-1570
Email: [email protected]