The entities that do the most for public health are local governments.

That was part of a message delivered to the City of Cranbrook Jan. 7 by Interior Health (IH) Community Health Facilitator Kerri Wall, who presented to council reasons why there should be a closer working relationship between the two entities.

“We spend a lot of time on sick care” and not enough time on ensuring people remain healthy, Wall said.

The city, by allowing and promoting public health through walkways and trails, such as Rotary Way and the Community Forest, operating public recreation facilities and safe food and food security venues such as the public produce garden and Farmers’ Market is encouraging public health, she explained, adding with that in mind, IH is actively seeking partnerships with the 59 municipalities within its coverage area.

“Cranbrook has done really well,” she noted.

“We need the efforts of all of us working together to move wellness forward,” Wall said. “Addressing the social determinants of health to ensure the best health possible for all people in our communities is a shared responsibility. While the health care system is designed to treat people once they are sick, it requires a collaborative effort to address the factors which keep us well. No one sector, agency or public can tackle these issues alone but we must collectively ensure that all levels of public policy support healthy lives.”

Undertaking a program called the Healthy Communities Initiative, Wall said the IH would like to partner with the city to help reduce obesity and chronic disease.

A way to achieve that is by focusing on five pillars, including physical activity, healthy eating, tobacco reduction, healthy environments and improving travel options for children and seniors, she said.

A partnership between Interior Health the city would help “support the implementation of healthy living actions within the community,” Wall told council.

The IH would be willing to dedicate staff resources to partner with the city and bring a range of staff and expertise to provide information and consultation support, and access to information portals and regional/provincial networks.

The connections between a thriving community and a healthy one are many, Wall stated.

“If we have jobs, if we have cars, if we have a safe place to live, we are much healthier than those who don’t,” she said.

Following her presentation, council agreed to Coun. Diana J Scott’s suggestion to send her information and request to relevant city committees for review and direction.

Coun. Denise Pallesen noted she is “pleased to see the city has done a number of things to help along the five pillars.”

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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