Nova Scotia To Benefit More From Federal Healthy Living Strategy

Nova Scotia can benefit more than other provinces from the new Integrated Strategy on Healthy Living and Chronic Disease announced by the federal government last week, Health Promotion Minister Rodney MacDonald said today, Oct. 24.

"The federal government is funding initiatives that fit in well with the integrated strategies we already have in place. The new money will allow us to go further faster in helping Nova Scotians make healthier choices," said Mr. MacDonald. "We're already ahead of the pack because we've had Nova Scotia Health Promotion in place for the past three years."

The integrated strategy, announced by federal Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh and Minister of State for Public Health Carolyn Bennett, will distribute $300 million over five years across all provinces and territories for initiatives aimed at healthy eating, physical activity and healthy weights. These are the key risk factors for some of the leading, preventable chronic diseases. Risk factors were the model used to determine the priorities of Nova Scotia Health Promotion when it was first created.

The $300 million will also include funding for other components of the strategy such as social marketing and some specific disease-based prevention work.

Although the amount each province receives has yet to be determined, Nova Scotia could receive more than $1.5 million annually for the next five years if the formula is based on a per capita calculation.

"We must spend our money strategically to reduce the differences in the health of our richest and poorest citizens," said Mr. MacDonald.

Ministers at the meeting agreed that the country needs to see a 20 per cent increase in the proportion of Canadians who are physically active, eat healthy food and are at healthy body weights.

Mr. MacDonald said the province will propose bilateral approaches for its funding share that will strengthen the ability of communities to help their citizens lead healthier lives. This can be done through initiatives in schools, workplaces and homes as well as funding to qualify more leaders, co-ordinate more work among sectors, and improve facilities. As well, Nova Scotia Health Promotion will continue its research on best practices in each of its initiatives.

Current projects underway by Nova Scotia Health Promotion and its partners to support healthy living among a cross-section of Nova Scotians include the draft Food in School policy, KidsSport and the $500,000 going toward physical activity grants.

Nova Scotia Health Promotion's work focuses on the priority areas of addiction prevention, healthy eating, healthy sexuality, injury prevention, physical activity and tobacco control.