How does “Food Literacy” relate to “Health Literacy” and how do you implement it in practice? This webinar took place on February 13, 2019, and we are pleased to offer a powerpoint presentation and audio file from the webinar for those who missed it.
The webinar began with a background and introduction by Irv Rootman, Chair of the B.C. Health Literacy Networks and was followed by a discussions on Food Literacy—an evolving sub-concept of health literacy — by Doris Gillis, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Human Nutrition at St. Francis Xavier University, Food Literacy in Classrooms by Richard Han, Provincial Manager of Farm to School BC program and the Farmer’s Market Nutrition Coupon Program by Peter LeBlanc, Program Manager of BC Association of Farmer’s Market, and finally, a Q & A session.
Download a powerpoint presentation from the webinar HERE
You can listen to the audio from the webinar below.
Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial heath officer (PHO), has released the report, Taking the Pulse of the Population: An Update on the Health of British Columbians.
The report shows that overall, British Columbians’ health is good by many accepted measures. Diabetes incidence, mortality due to preventable causes, smoking during pregnancy and the incidence of hepatitis C all continue to decrease.
“We have made important progress in many areas of health in recent years,” said Henry
“However, not all British Columbians are experiencing these improvements, and there remain important differences in health status based on region of the province, between sexes and by age. As well, there are some measures where we are actually losing ground.”
Focus and action are needed in several areas to address worsening trends:
the disparities in life expectancy between local health areas;
fruit and vegetable consumption as a marker of healthy eating;
early childhood development; and
hazardous drinking behaviours.
“More targeted health prevention and promotion programs will help close those gaps and reverse worsening trends,” said Henry. “Other social and economic factors, such as income, housing and early childhood education play an important role in people’s health and wellbeing. Collaborations across all levels of government, health authorities and other health partners will be key to achieving our goal of a healthier B.C.”
There are seven recommendations to the Ministry of Health, health authorities and partners to advance public health in British Columbia. The recommendations are:
Establish a legislated health in all policies approach in B.C., using a health impact assessment model that includes a requirement for assessing health and equity impacts for all proposed, new or revised policy, legislation or programming across the B.C. government.
Develop and implement a comprehensive health-promotion strategy that recognizes sexand gender-specific health needs, and supports all gender identities and sexual orientations through appropriately targeted interventions.
Increase support for government programs and policies across government that focus on health among women (including pregnant and post-partum women), children, youth and families.
Increase the focus on illness and injury prevention, as well as health promotion, for people living in rural and remote areas.
Develop a more robust and meaningful population health and public health surveillance system. This includes reviewing the performance measures in BC’s Guiding Framework for Public Health, identifying new or revised measures, and establishing regular and ongoing public health reporting.
Establish more relevant and applicable performance measures to monitor environmental health. This includes establishing and/or further developing mechanisms to monitor air, water, soil and food supplies, as well as the health impacts of climate change.
Commit to increasing the proportion of health authority budgets allocated to population and public health to 6%.
The impacts of increased alcohol consumption and of the opioid overdose crisis were two areas of challenge identified in the development of this report. A review of the provincial alcohol policy and the impact of the opioid overdose crisis will be examined in detail in future PHO reports.
“Understanding the health status of British Columbians is critical to effective program planning,” said Dr. Gord Miller, president, Public Health Association of BC. “The Public Health Association of BC welcomes the provincial health officer’s report. This population health report is an essential tool for addressing health inequalities and ensuring that health programs meet the real needs of our citizens.”
Duration: Feb 2019 – June 2019 (extensions available)
Position Summary:
Farm to School BC (F2SBC) and Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) seeks a dynamic, creative, and inspiring individual to coordinate, strengthen and expand the Farm to School Surrey Regional Hub. Reporting to the Provincial Manager of F2SBC, the Animator provides students with access to healthy, local food and hands-on learning opportunities that foster food literacy while strengthening the local food system using a comprehensive and collective impact framework.
Working alongside school district staff, teachers, students, local organizations, public health dietitians/nurses, farmers, and additional stakeholders engaged with nutrition, agriculture, health and education sectors, the Regional Animator will place local people at the centre of all they do, believing that sustainable solutions are only ever developed when the support of a local community is strongly evident. Furthermore, as a change agent in the community, the Animator builds bridges and strengthens connections within the community, and among various stakeholders that influence the community. The Animator will invest in relationships that will form the solid foundation for swift and effective future partnership development.
For a complete job description, qualifications and application details click below.
Last chance to submit your proposals for this national conference! Deadline is midnight January, 20, 2019. For more information and to submit a proposal click HERE.
PHABC would like to thank our outgoing Vice President for her years of tireless contributions to our association and her commitment to public, youth and community health.
Maureen Rowan has served on the PHABC board for many years and has made valuable contributions through her numerous executive posts and as co-chair of the Capacity Building Committee. She has participated in the facilitation and planning of many Summer Schools as well as served on multiple conference planning committees. Maureen is a valuable resource to the organization and has facilitated PHABC’s ability to positively influence community health issues, through bringing in the voice of those affected. Not only does she contribute at a high level of strategic and policy planning, but she also lends a hand where needed including transporting people and supplies to conferences and workshops.
Maureen has been a strong support in PHABC’s foundation and is the deserving recipient of this year’s President’s Award which is given to a member of the Public Health Association of British Columbia who has shown a commitment to enabling their community, neighbourhood, housing complex or organization to address health issues. The issues include economic security, food security, environmental sustainability, preventive health actions, and ensuring involvement in decisions by those affected.
Also this year Maureen was awarded the McCreary Centre Society’s Youth Health Awards 2018 Recipient. Each year McCreary presents an award to someone who has made an outstanding contribution to youth health in the province of British Columbia.
Maureen Rowan – For her extraordinary commitment to enabling her organization to address health issues while ensuring involvement in decisions by those affected.
Maureen played an active role in ensuring the success of the very first BC Adolescent Health Survey in 1992, and in administrating and disseminating the survey results through each subsequent cycle. Maureen has been an unbelievable champion of the survey over the years, and always ensured a smooth and successful administration of the BC AHS on the Island.
Maureen has continued to serve BC youth since her retirement through many volunteer roles including her work with PHABC and the BC School Based Mental Health Coalition. Maureen has also continued to support McCreary. In preparation for the 2018 survey she pulled together focus groups to ensure the survey instrument captured youth health issues of importance to public health professionals; volunteered to help with administration if needed; and continued to disseminate results and share the work of the Society. She has stated that retirement “hasbeen a wonderful opportunity to continue supporting her community”, and we are truly grateful for the support she has given the Society over the years and for all that she does to promote adolescent health in the province.
The CALL FOR PROPOSALS deadline has been extended until January 20, 2019.
REGISTRATION is now open for the conference. Get your early bird rate now!
Details on six new and exiting FIELD TRIPS have been announced.
Since its inception, F2CC has established itself as a national leader in the Farm to School approach in Canada,
and is proud to grow this movement, which aims to get more healthy, local and sustainable foods on the minds and plates of students, from pre-school to campus.
PHABC is proud to be the local host agency of the 2019 National Farm to School Conference and are the administrators of Farm to School BC (F2SBC).
Don’t miss your chance to attend one of the premier public health conferences of the year!
round and introduction by Irv Rootman, Chair of the B.C. Health Literacy Networks and was followed by a discussions on Food Literacy—an evolving sub-concept of health literacy — by Doris Gillis, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Human Nutrition at St. Francis Xavier University, Food Literacy in Classrooms by Richard Han, Provincial Manager of Farm to School BC program and the Farmer’s Market Nutrition Coupon Program by Peter LeBlanc, Program Manager of BC Association of Farmer’s Market, and finally, a Q & A session.
