News

Comic takes kid-centred approach to underscore importance of immunization

OTTAWA, CANADA – Alien invaders descend on a world while defensive forces mobilize to battle the intruders… is this the plot from an upcoming blockbuster movie or a creative approach to science education? These scenes are from a new online comic, Immunity Warriors: Invasion of the Alien Zombies, created to educate elementary school students about the immune system and the role of immunization in defending against illness.

Conceived by Dr. Kumanan Wilson, a physician, researcher and comic book fan, Invasion of the Alien Zombies approaches immunization education from a child’s perspective.

To view the press release visit: CANImmunize Digital Comic book-News Release

The search is over!

Following an executive search, screening and interview process at the end of 2016, the Public Health Association of BC is pleased to announce its successful recruitment of Shannon Turner, BA, BSc, MSc, PhD (c) to our Executive Director position. Shannon has more than thirty years of experience in public health practice, healthy public policy, health promotion, program and project management, strategic planning, health informatics, quality assurance, risk management, logistics and accounting as well as conducting research on digital communication and citizen engagement. Aside from her extensive academic credentials Shannon brings a wide range of experience from both the public and private sector.

Shannon has worked across the continuum of health services in acute, long term and primary care organizations.  Prior to undertaking doctoral studies, Shannon served as Director of Public Health for Vancouver Island Health Authority. With a background in international health Shannon has served as a consultant, facilitating a multi county meeting in Africa and led a health promotion speaking tour in Sweden and Latvia.  She has served the World Health Organization Global Violence Prevention Alliance for the past decade as National Co-chair of Prevention of Violence Canada.

Many of you will know Shannon for her years of service as an advocate for public health at the regional, provincial and national levels. The University of Hawaii named Shannon to the Delta Omega Society for outstanding contribution to public health. In 2008, she was awarded the James M. Robinson Award (UBC Public Health) for her significant contributions to public health. In 2009, she was presented with the President’s Award by the Public Health Association of BC for her work in rebuilding and renewing the association.

Shannon brings an abundance of knowledge, vision and commitment to our organization and we expect the organization to thrive under her experienced leadership and collaborative stewardship.

Please join us in welcoming Shannon into this new role.

Paola Ardiles

President, PHABC

*Photo caption: Dr. Irv Rootman and Shannon Turner at the celebration of his Honourary Doctorate ceremony at the University of Victoria.

We are changing the Earth’s ecosystems in profound ways that will end up harming us. So we face the challenge of transforming our society to live within the constraints of the one small planet that is our home. We will need to reduce our ecological footprint by 75–80 percent to the equivalent of one planet’s worth of consumption and waste production, while maintaining a long life in good health for all our citizens. This will mean changing everything we do!

In the face of this important challenge, a group of UVic faculty and community organisations are organising this series of Community Conversations to explore some key issues and the challenge of how to get to a One Planet way of life. We believe this will be of interest to community associations, environmental and social justice groups, local governments, faith organizations, green businesses, urban planners and architects, the arts and culture community, health professionals and many others.

We hope you will join community and academic presenters in this series of free events exploring the challenge, culminating in a UVic IdeaFest event on March 11th.

Community Conversations’ at the Bateman Centre, 5 – 7 PM

Monday Jan 23rd
Introduction, overview of the initiative:
• The Anthropocene, the One Planet Region and the Happy Planet Index

• Trevor Hancock, School of Public Health and Social Policy, UVic

• Measuring Victoria’s Ecological Footprint

• Jennie Moore, BCIT. Jennie’s PhD was on the ecological footprint of Vancouver, and she is working on the ecological footprint for Victoria.

Monday Jan 30th
• A Conversation on Indigenous views of the One Planet region

• Nick Claxton and colleagues. Nick is an Instructor with the Faculty of Education and is Tsawout Band & WSÁNEĆ Nation Indigenous Academic Advisor/ Coordinator

Monday Feb 6th

• A Conversation on renewable energy systems for a One Planet region

• Presentation by Tom Hackney, Policy Director, Victoria chapter of BCSEA (BC Sustainable Energy Association) with interactive discussion facilitated by climate social scientist Jan Inglis

Monday Feb 13th

• A Conversation on transportation systems and urban development patterns for a One Planet region

• Led by Todd Litman, Victoria Transport Policy Institute

Wednesday Feb 22nd

• A Conversation on a food system for a One Planet region

• Led by Jeremy Caradonna, Adjunct Professor, Environmental Studies, UVic with support from CRFAIR (Capital Region Food and Agriculture Initiatives Roundtable)

Saturday March 11th, 2 – 4 PM, New Horizons, James Bay – IdeaFest event

• The Anthropocene is here! Living well in a ‘One Planet’ region

• A panel presentation and discussion

The Canadian Cancer Society is pleased to announce the launching of an innovative smoking cessation program  in partnership with the Running Room – Run to Quit.

What is Run to Quit?

Run to Quit is an effective program that coaches tobacco users on how to get active AND quit smoking. Participants are supported by a Quit Coach through a gradual 10-week Learn-to-Run clinic in combination with evidence-based smoking cessation strategies.

Run to Quit is offered in three formats:

• Do It Yourself: Online program available anytime, anywhere
• In-person: Training program at select Running Room locations in Spring 2017
• Virtual: Online training program available in Winter and Spring. The next Virtual program starts in January 2017!

Why promote Run to Quit?

Because it works! Run to Quit participants are 7x more likely to successfully quit smoking than those who try to quit cold turkey. Exercise reduces cravings, helps manage withdrawal symptoms and inspires people to be healthier.

Most smokers want to quit. Run to Quit offers a unique approach to smoking cessation that helps participants stay motivated as they build new skills and establish behaviours to maintain long-term health goals. Run to Quit participants can reduce two key risk factors responsible for poor health: tobacco use and physical inactivity.

Run to Quit is suitable for non-runners and people with any fitness level. Non-smokers are invited to support someone who is participating in the program. By choosing to champion Run to Quit you are helping people access proven quit smoking resources.

How to Promote Run to Quit

If you are interested in spreading the word about Run to Quit to your Clients and network, please contact me to learn more about the program and discuss the ready–made promotional tools available, including on-site presentations, customized resources and digital files. With your support, a person’s quit journey can be easier and with a greater chance of success. More information about Run to Quit can be found on the website: runtoquit.com.

I am pleased to announce the release of my report, Health Status of Canadians 2016: A Report of the Chief Public Health Officer. This year’s report can be accessed through this link:

http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/publications/department-ministere/state-public-health-status-2016-etat-sante-publique-statut/index-eng.php?utm_source=pro-terr&utm_medium=email_en&utm_campaign=cpho_health_status_16

Please feel free to share the link widely. Copies are available on-line only rather than through print.

Sincerely,

Gregory Taylor, BSc, MD, CCFP, FRCPC
Chief Public Health Officer

During the 2016 PHABC AGM on December 12, 2016,  we honoured and recognized distinguished contributors to Public Health.

Here is the complete list of awards, for your information and sharing with colleagues.  If you are interested in nominating someone in the PH community, stay tuned for the next call for nominations in the Fall.

2016 PHABC Awards Recipients