Government encourages Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to go healthy

Health and Community Services Minister John Ottenheimer today encouraged all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to go healthy with the launch of government�s new Provincial Wellness Plan. The plan, which focuses on improving the health of the population and helping all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians achieve their optimal state of wellness, builds on the work of six regional wellness coalitions and the Provincial Wellness Advisory Committee, which comprises a broad range of government departments, professional associations and community groups.

"The launch of our new Provincial Wellness Plan is a progressive step forward in helping to promote healthy eating habits, a balanced lifestyle and active living to all residents of the province," said Minister Ottenheimer. "Our province is known as one of the unhealthiest in the country and we are committed to changing that. Through continued partnership of key stakeholders, we will work over the next three years to educate the public on the benefits of an active and healthy lifestyle and to support them in making the important first step to improving overall health and wellness."

Phase I of the plan will be implemented over the next three years and will focus on some key areas, including: healthy eating, physical activity, tobacco control, and injury prevention. This will be done through strengthened partnerships, public awareness, health promotion and evaluation. Phase II will consider other wellness priority areas such as mental health promotion, child and youth development, environmental health and health protection.

A new web site, www.gohealthy.ca, will promote the Provincial Wellness Plan and will include tips on active living, healthy eating, injury prevention and being smoke-free. The site will also link to six regional wellness coalitions where people can track, on a regular basis, the events and activities happening in their region of the province.

"When people think of our health system, they often focus on acute and long-term care needs," said Minister Ottenheimer. "Our government committed $2.4 million in last year�s budget for a wellness strategy, the largest cash investment in health promotion in the history of our province. However, educating the public on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle is a shared responsibility. There are many partners in health and we all have a role to play in implementing the actions required to improve wellness in our province."

Through the Provincial Wellness Plan, government will continue to seek and create opportunities to build and strengthen its partnerships to support the actions for wellness. These partners include: the Provincial Wellness Advisory Council, Alliance for the Control of Tobacco (ACT), Regional Wellness Coalitions, youth, seniors and injury prevention stakeholders. In addition, government will continue to strengthen and expand existing efforts and develop new initiatives for wellness; increase public awareness through a new social marketing strategy and enhance capacity for health promotion.

"Our health challenges are significant in this province but we have a reputation for creativity in facing challenges," said Dr. Cathy Donovan, chair of the Provincial Wellness Advisory Council. "This plan, to promote health and wellness, builds on the work of many individuals, groups and communities; it provides a common direction and a commitment to the sustained action we need to improve health for everyone in Newfoundland and Labrador."

Specific initiatives to be rolled out in the next three years include:

Government invested $2.4 million in Budget 2005 to support a wellness strategy �� the largest single cash infusion in health promotion in the history of the province. Unlike acute health care which focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of individual patients, public health focuses on communities and populations for the prevention of disease, promotion of health and protection of the public.

Media contact: Tansy Mundon, Communications, (709) 729-1377, 685-1741

Members of the Provincial Wellness Advisory Council:
Association of Allied Health Professionals
Alliance for the Control of Tobacco
Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador
Canadian Cancer Society of Newfoundland and Labrador
Canadian Diabetes Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
Canadian Mental Health Association
Department of Education
Department of Environment and Conservation
Department of Government Services
Department of Health and Community Services
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
Heart and Stroke Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
Lung Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty of Medicine
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 Public Health Association
Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards Association
Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers� Association
Newfoundland Dietetic Association
Regional Integrated Health Authorities
Rural Secretariat
Seniors Resource Centre Association of Newfoundland and Labrador

Regional Wellness Coalitions:
Eastern Wellness Coalition
St. John�s Wellness Coalition
Labrador Wellness Coalition
Western Wellness Coalition
Central Wellness Coalition
Northern Wellness Coalition

2006 03 08                                                12:30 p.m.