JANUARY 20, 2009MUSEUM OF INDUSTRY

AGENDA

What is Active Pictou County?The PartnersBackgroundTrends and RationaleConsultation ProcessCommunity ProfileWhat’s next for Pictou CountyYour Opportunity

What is Active Pictou County?

Partners

How did we get this far?

Active Kids Healthy Kids Strategy in Pictou County Recreation Coordinators,

DHA, Chignecto-Central Regional School Board, YMCA – initial partners on the inaugural committee in 2001

PRDC came on board in 2006

Funding Department of Health

Promotion and Protection committed $50k per year for two years from regional office

Enabled the new Active Communities Committee to confirm partnership funding and support project and full time staff person.

Trends and Rationale

Our current state of activity:

Physical Inactivity

Physical Activity

Why a strategic plan for Pictou County?

Current research has shown that physical inactivity has become a serious epidemic in this country that will impact the health of future generations.

In particular, in Nova Scotia, less than 50% are active enough to achieve the health benefits.

Everyone needs to take responsibility for the health of their community – a strategic plan in Pictou County will channel everyone’s efforts towards making a difference into improving the health of the community and individual lifestyles.

Did we make the grade?

2009 Report Card on Health for Pictou County released by Pictou County Health Authority

Source: Canadian Community Health Survey (2005)

Current Health Status Grade

Obesity and overweight adults

C

Physical Activity (adults) B

Physical Activity (youth females)

D

Physical Activity (youth males)

A

Physical inactivity is among the most important risk factors threatening

global health.- World Health Organization

Physical inactivity is among the most important risk factors threatening

global health.- World Health Organization

If Canadians were to become more active, there would be:If Canadians were to become more active, there would be:

The cost of physical inactivity in Nova ScotiaThe cost of physical inactivity in Nova Scotia

26% fewer deaths from type II diabetes

20% fewer deaths from colon cancer

22% fewer deaths from cardiovascular diseases

Source: The Coalition for Active Living, 2006

The total economic burden of physical inactivity in Nova Scotia is estimated at $354 million annually.

Source: Ronald Colman, GPI Atlantic, 2002, www.gpiatlantic.org

Did you know…

PACY Study

Screen Time – the time spent sedentary in front

of a screen such as a TV, Computer, Video

Games. Grade 11 boys and girls in NS average

6 hours per day!

Consultation Process

Community Profile

Physical Activity Index

Source: Canadian Community Health Survey, Cycle 3.1 (2005)

Adding to this…

When residents in Pictou County were asked about their life satisfaction in comparison to their physical activity levels, the following was reported:

Active: 82.8%

Moderately active: 84.7%

Inactive: 91.1%

What’s Next for Pictou County?

The evidence is clearThe health of Pictou County residents needs to be a

priority now

Actions

County wide walking programActive Communities designation programBicycle Friendly programContinue with Pictou County Bikeways planCreate active transportation plans for municipal

units, communities, clubs/organizationsPhysical activity resource guide for the county

Your Opportunity…