NLIS 2 November 6, 2002 (Health and Community Services) Minister announces Provincial Wellness Advisory Council Gerald Smith, Minister of Health and Community Services, today announced the appointment of members to the Provincial Wellness Advisory Council. The Provincial Wellness Advisory Council is an advisory body to provide advice and guidance to the Minister of Health and Community Services on the development and implementation of the wellness strategy as outlined in government�s strategic health plan, Healthier Together. "I am very pleased to have such a high calibre group of people working together to advise me and officials from my department on the direction of a wellness strategy for our province," said Minister Smith. "These individuals bring expertise from their respective fields which will help us develop a wellness strategy that is both appropriate and practical for Newfoundland and Labrador." The council is comprised of members from 26 non-governmental and governmental agencies. Government is pleased to bring together such a diverse group of organizations, all working toward a common goal - to improve the health and well-being of the people of this province. "In one way or another, all of the groups represented on this council have been working to raise awareness about the importance of healthy living practices," said Minister Smith. "Now, we are all coming together to work towards enhancing capacity within this province to support the health and well-being of the people of our province." Minister Smith introduced Dr. Catherine Donovan, principal investigator with the Newfoundland and Labrador Heart Health Program and medical officer of health with Health and Community Services Eastern, as the chair of the Provincial Wellness Advisory Council. "I am delighted that Dr. Donovan has agreed to chair this council," said Minister Smith. "Dr. Donovan�s expertise and leadership skills will help move the work of the council in the right direction." "Direction and long-term commitment are essential to improving the health of people in this province, and the Strategic Health Plan, which recognizes wellness as a priority, is an important step forward in this effort," said Dr. Donovan. Wellness is an overarching theme of government�s strategic health plan. To create a system which is sustainable and supportive of health and well-being, the focus of Newfoundland and Labrador�s health and community services system needs to be shifted from one of illness to wellness. Four key areas have been identified to further work around wellness in this province. They are health promotion, injury and illness prevention, health protection, and child and youth development. "There are a number of strong initiatives already in place in Newfoundland and Labrador to support our work on wellness," said Minister Smith. "I will look to this new council to help me identify means by which we can maximize the resources we already have in place and build upon the good work already being done within communities throughout the province." Media contact: Diane Keough, Communications, (709) 729-1377. Provincial Wellness Advisory
Council Alliance for the Control of Tobacco (ACT) Association of Early Childhood Educators of
Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Registered Nurses of
Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Allied Health Professionals Canadian Cancer Society of Newfoundland and
Labrador Canadian Diabetes Association Newfoundland
and Labrador Canadian Mental Health Association Heart and Stroke Foundation of Newfoundland
and Labrador Lung Association of Newfoundland and Labrador Memorial University of Newfoundland, Faculty
of Medicine Newfoundland and Labrador Heart Health
Project Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of
Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador Health Boards
Association Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association Newfoundland and Labrador Parks and
Recreation Association Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards
Association Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers�
Association Newfoundland Dietetic Association Newfoundland Public Health Association Department of Education, Government of
Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Environment, Government of
Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Government Services and Lands,
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Health and Community Services,
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Human Resources and Employment,
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Tourism, Culture and
Recreation, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Strategic Social Plan, Government of
Newfoundland and Labrador 2002 11 06 11:25 a.m. |
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