The Chatham-Kent Healthy Communities Partnership is a working group with the goal of bringing together multiple sectors and groups to share, discuss and collaborate on areas that help people be healthy, well and create a healthy community.
Several years ago the working group asked the community the question, what is a healthy community? Based on the feedback received the following definition was created:
A healthy community is one that is deliberately planned, developed and promoted where everyone works together to support each other’s physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.
The components of a healthy community include an environment conducive to a healthy lifestyle where there is equal access to healthy food, transportation, medical and social supports. In addition, it supports active living, adequate housing, education, employment, volunteerism and culture, all in a safe and clean environment.
The primary factors that shape the health of individuals may not be what you think. It is not the medical treatments or entirely lifestyle choices but rather the living conditions people experience. The conditions that have a great impact on one’s health are called the ‘social determinants of health’.
The following are a few of the key social determinants which impact one’s health.
– Income: This is the most important social determinant of health; it has the most significant impact on chronic disease and death rates.
– Unemployment and Job Security: Because employment provides income and a sense of identity and helps to structure day to day life, unemployment is associated with many health problems
– Early Childhood Development: How we begin impacts our life forever.
– Food Insecurity: People who do not have access to healthy food, due to income or transportation or any barrier have increased likelihood of chronic disease and difficulties managing the diseases.
– Housing: Housing is an absolute necessity for living a healthy life. Where one lives leads can either to enhance one health or contribute to illness
– Education: Education moves people up the social economic ladder and provides better access to societal economic resources
– Social Exclusion: Exclusion creates a sense of powerlessness and hopelessness. Examples: participation in civic affairs (discrimination), social productions (not being able to afford to participate – fee for hockey, cultural activities), economic exclusion or denial of social goods(housing, income, language services)
– Social Supports: A range of benefits, programs and supports that protect people during various life changes that can affect their health.
Each one of these determinants, as well as health care supports, will be highlighted in the Wellness in Wallaceburg Education Campaign.
For more information on the Wellness in Wallaceburg Education Campaign, or for service organizations to join the campaign please contact the Healthy Communities Partnership at CKHealthyCommunitiesPartnership@chatham-kent.ca. The CKHCP will evaluate this initiative and determine if there is value for other communities.
