What is the goal of the Integrated Pan-Canadian Healthy
Living Strategy?
The goal of the Healthy Living Strategy is to improve overall
health outcomes for all Canadians and reduce health disparities. In
the short term, the Healthy Living Strategy will emphasize healthy
eating, physical activity and their relationship to healthy
weights. The Healthy Living Strategy will address other healthy
living priorities as they are identified in the medium and long
terms.
Why is healthy living a priority for
governments?
It is well recognized that disease, risk factor, population and/or
setting-specific interventions are necessary but not sufficient to
address the full range of challenges posed by the growing burden of
chronic disease and health disparities. This recognition has
contributed to growing support for integrated efforts that are of
sufficient intensity and duration to contribute to reducing this
burden.
Actions to be taken through the Healthy Living Strategy will
ultimately influence the health status and health outcomes of the
population, reduce the burden placed on the health care system by
chronic diseases, and contribute to the efficiency and
sustainability of our much-valued universal health care delivery
system in Canada.
Isn't promoting healthy living about trying to
change people's behaviour? Don't governments do this
already?
The Healthy Living Strategy will emphasize far more than individual
behaviour change. It is based on an approach that considers the
conditions that make healthy living possible. It is recognized that
prevention approaches aiming to change people's behaviours,
without addressing their living and working conditions, are
unlikely to achieve sustainable results. One of the key elements of
the Healthy Living Strategy will be to recognize and address
linkages between lifestyle choices and the social, economic, and
environmental influences on health.
What is meant by "healthy
living"?
Through a population health lens, healthy living encompasses a
number of levels:
How will the Healthy Living Strategy take into account
and accommodate existing provincial and territorial healthy living
strategies?
We believe that all efforts are important. It is proposed that
links be made between existing and new strategies emphasizing
healthy living, those currently under development, and new
strategies to be developed in the short, medium and long term. The
Healthy Living Strategy will be inclusive of all communities and
sectors, including non-governmental organizations, voluntary
organizations, Aboriginal Peoples, and the private sector,
academia, consumer organizations, and other relevant groups.
What is meant by "integrated"?
Integration refers to cooperative efforts to promote healthy living
by addressing individual issues together (e.g. healthy eating,
physical activity and healthy weights). An integrated approach in
policy development, research and programming can lead to greater
health improvements and a more effective use of resources. As part
of the Healthy Living Strategy, an integrated approach may target
common risk factors for chronic diseases, consolidate efforts
within specific settings (where people live, learn, work, and
play), and engage partners from various jurisdictions and
sectors.
What work has been accomplished since September, 2002
when the F/P/T Ministers of Health announced they will lead the
development of Pan-Canadian Healthy Living Strategy?
Since the announcement
of the F/P/T Ministers of Health in early September 2002, Health
Canada and P/T governments, through their P/T representatives to
the Advisory Committee on Population Health and Health Security
(ACPHHS), have taken concerted steps towards fulfilling the
Ministers' commitment on healthy living. An F/P/T Healthy
Living Task Group has been formed.
A consultation process was undertaken throughout 2003 and included four pre-consultation meetings, nine Strategic Roundtables, an online consultation workbook, a national level Healthy Living Symposium, and further meetings with key representative stakeholder groups.
In September, 2003 the F/P/T Ministers of Health agreed to continue to work on an Integrated Pan-Canadian Healthy Living Strategy in order to improve the health of Canadians through all stages of life. The items and action areas that Ministers endorsed included:
In January 2004, a Stakeholder Meeting on the Intersectoral Healthy Living Network was held in Toronto, to review the draft Terms of Reference for the Intersectoral Healthy Living Network and to obtain advice on how these Terms of Reference could be strengthened to advance the work of the Healthy Living Strategy and contribute to its two goals: "to improve health outcomes" and "to reduce health disparities".
In September 2004, First Ministers highlighted the importance of efforts to address prevention, promotion and public health, and the sustainability of the health system. First Ministers committed to working across sectors through initiatives such as Healthy Schools through the Strategy which identifies schools as one of the key settings for addressing concerns related to healthy living among Canadian children and youth.
As a key element of the Strategy, the Intersectoral Healthy Living
Network's Coordinating Committee's met for the first time
in September 22-24, 2004 . The Network is composed
of members from federal, provincial and territorial bodies and
intersectoral stakeholders who work in the areas of health
promotion and disease prevention. (Terms of Reference for the
Network)
In October 2004, the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers of Health committed to advancing the Integrated Pan-Canadian Healthy Living Strategy, with it's initial focus on increasing physical activity, healthy eating and their relationship to healthy weight. A Healthy Living Strategy business plan will be presented to Ministers of Health at their annual meeting in September 2005.
What are the next steps in the development and
implementation of the Healthy Living Strategy?
The following developments have taken place since September 2003 to
further develop the endorsed actions:
Who is responsible for leading and coordinating the
development and implementation of the Healthy Living
Strategy?
Currently, the Advisory Committee on Population Health and Health
Security (ACPHHS), via the Healthy Living Task Group, is the key
F/P/T mechanism facilitating federal and P/T partnership in the
consultation process and in the development of the Healthy Living
Strategy.
How can stakeholders contribute further to the
process?
The Healthy Living Task Group is currently developing an F/P/T
action plan to address the recommendations endorsed by the
Ministers. Stakeholders will continue to be involved, as the
development of the action plan progresses.
Is a communications / health information strategy being
developed to inform Canadians about healthy eating and physical
activity and their relationship to healthy weights?
A Social Marketing Roundtable was held in Ottawa in September 2003
to discuss the development of the public information component of
the Healthy Living Strategy. A Social Marketing/Public Information
Working Group consisting of individuals from Health Canada,
Heritage Canada (Sports), provincial governments, industry
associations and non-governmental organizations has been formed to
develop a Healthy Living social marketing strategy. The Healthy
Living and Sport Participation marketing strategy will be launched
in the spring of 2005. This campaign will focus on healthy eating,
physical activity and sport participation
One of the roundtable meetings held in Ottawa focussed
specifically on Aboriginal issues and included representation from
Métis, Inuit and First Nations groups across the country,
will there be further consultations with Aboriginal
stakeholders?
An Aboriginal Dialogue on Healthy Living will take place this
spring as a separate process from the Coordinating Committee and
working groups. ACPHHS co-chairs met with five key National
Aboriginal Organizations (NAO - Congress of Aboriginal Peoples,
Assembly of First Nations, Native Women's Association of
Canada, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and Métis National Council)
who have indicated their support for the approach and willingness
to participate in an Aboriginal Advisory Session. This dialogue,
together with a separate report on Healthy Living by each NAO, will
then inform the work of the Network.