WHEREAS there is no clear, coordinated and comprehensive vision of health promotion in British Columbia that sets it apart from prevention and illness care; AND WHEREAS acute care priorities and ongoing crises in the health care system are subjugating investment in British Columbia health promotion and prevention initiatives; AND WHEREAS voluntary, nonprofit organizations and frontline workers make substantial contributions to vibrant, self-reliant and sustainable communities, yet lack of funding, restrictive criteria and inefficient coordination of existing funds are compromising the capacity of these organizations to act on the health determinants and the health status of their citizens at a time when more and more is expected of them; AND WHEREAS Health Promotion Foundations have been found to be a successful method of funding and prioritizing health promotion in other parts of the world, e.g. Australia, Switzerland, Thailand, Austria and Korea: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities petition the Government of British Columbia to: 1 Support, through legislation, the establishment of an independent, at-arms-length from government, Health Promotion Foundation in British Columbia; and 2 Generate a sustainable, annual provincial contribution towards health promotion activities in British Columbia by dedicating 1.00 per person per year, or the equivalent of 4.077 million in 2003, from Medical Services Plan premiums to a Health Promotion Foundation.
MINISTRY OF HEALTH SERVICES The Government of British Columbia, through the efforts of several ministries including the Ministry of Health Services, is working in partnership with the BC Healthy Living Alliance of which the Union of BC Municipalities is a member and 2010 Legacies Now, in a co-ordinated and collaborative approach to improving health through an enhanced focus on prevention initiatives. Some of the programs underway include: Health Promoting Schools Forum - This forum, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, took place on January 14, 2004. It will provide guidance to health authorities, school boards and communities across BC on developing policies and practices that create and Maintain school environments that promote childrens health. Action Schools! BC - In May 2003, the Province invested 1.2 million to pilot Action Schools! BC in 10 Vancouver and Richmond elementary schools. The 18-month pilot was designed to help children become more physically active. Research from the pilot schools showed that the increase in the fitness level of children who took part in the pilot program was more than double the increase in the fitness level of children who did not take part. More than 14.5 million over five years has been earmarked for Action Schools! BC, which includes expanding the program to grades K-9 province wide by 2010 and developing a secondary school model. An additional 500,000 will be invested to train teachers and help districts and planning councils implement Action Schools! BC. Quitnow.ca is one smoking cessation tool the ministry funds or supports including the B.C. Smokers Helpline operated by the Canadian Cancer Society and the Kick the Nic program for students. The B.C. government, in partnership with the BC Lung Association, introduced the provinces first government-funded interactive website to assist British Columbians in quitting smoking and to find the support, information and tips needed to keep them motivated through the process of quitting. Quitnow.ca is free of charge to all British Columbians. BC Nurseline will review and expand, where necessary, its knowledge base on maternal health. This will include strategies to ensure high-risk women of childbearing age are aware of appropriate information available on responsible alcohol consumption and non-prescription drugs. Other initiatives include BC Nutrition Facts, an integrated health eating learning resource for teachers and students K-10 and BC Nutrition Guide, a consumer handbook of healthy eating for adults and seniors. With regard to the possible establishment of an independent Health Prevention Foundation, Ministry of Health Services staff have been asked to explore the overall benefits of such a foundation with UBCM.