New Healthy Communities Report paints a picture of the health of Oxford County residents and sets out local health priorities
Oxford County Public Health & Emergency Services released to County Council on Wednesday Healthy Communities Oxford: Community Picture Report 2011, a research summary that puts forward a snapshot of the health of Oxford County citizens and also outlines the local health priorities that came forward as part of the Government of Ontario-sponsored Healthy Communities Fund planning work that took place in 2011.
The report gives local health and social service agencies a baseline summary of the social-demographic characteristics that impact the health and well-being of our citizens, for instance median income and educational attainment; physical activity levels; smoking and substance misuse; and people’s perception of life stress.
The report also identifies local health priorities for each of the six areas targeted by the Healthy Communities Fund. Oxford County’s local priorities, which are based on input from a public survey and a community partner planning session that were held last January, are:
§ Nutrition: Nutrition education; partnerships with farmers
§ Injury prevention: Education and awareness
§ Mental health promotion: Destigmatizing mental illness; increased access to local services; creation of a community plan
§ Physical activity, sport and recreation: Better affordability; better accessibility (better transportation and playgrounds, more green space)
§ Substance and alcohol misuse: Access to front-line, trained supports for treatments in each community; prevention education; local treatment facility
§ Tobacco use and exposure: Smoke-free public space policies beyond Woodstock; affordable and accessible smoking cessation aids
A key goal of Oxford County’s Community Picture Report is to give local community agencies the information they need to apply for a Healthy Communities Fund Grant. This funding is open to two or more local organizations working in partnership to achieve common goals to address the six local health promotion priorities. The deadline for local/regional applications is Tuesday, February 28, 2012.
The Healthy Communities Oxford: Community Picture Report 2011 will be available online on January 30, 2012 at www.oxfordcounty.ca/health.
BACKGROUND
The Healthy Communities Fund provides funding to community partnerships to plan and deliver integrated programs that improve the health of Ontarians. The Healthy Communities Fund plays a key role in helping achieve the vision of Ontarians leading healthy and active lives. The Healthy Communities Fund consists of a Grants Project Stream, a Partnership Stream, and a Resource Stream. For more information visit www.mhp.gov.on.ca/en/healthy-communities/hcf/default.asp
Creation of a "community plan" to destigmatize mental illness? Will that plan be replacing the one currently offered by the private sector? Will Public Health come up with something better than having people with mental health issues begging for quarters in front of Tim Horton's?
ReplyDeleteTime will tell.