Which month is it?

The simple answer is May.  But there's more to this month than meets the eye!  It is:

- Cystic Fibrosis Month

- National Physiotherapy Month

- Speech and Hearing Awareness Month

- National Nursing Week - May10-16

- World No Tobacco Day - May 31

In fact, most months are also health-related months.  These help to promote a particular cause or organization.  Often, there are special events related to the month being celebrated.  So, the next time you think of the month, check out the health-related information that's being promoted - you will probably learn something very valuable.

Submissions Requested

Eastern Health is conducting a community health needs assessment in the Discovery Zone region, which includes the area from Bonavista to Port Blandford to Swift Current to Chapel Arm.

The purpose of a needs assessment is to gather information about the health needs and resources of a community to determine the issues that are most important and to develop a plan to address those priorities. A health needs assessment looks at the factors that determine the health of a community, from income and education to physical and social environments.

Written submissions (either hard copy or electronic) about the health needs of the Discovery Zone are invited from individuals, community partners and service organizations.

Submissions should be received by June 11, 2010 to:

Lisa Browne
Planning Specialist
Eastern Health
50A Manitoba Drive
Clarenville, NL
A1A 1K5
Phone (709) 466-5863
Fax: (709) 466-6343
email: lisa.browne@easternhealth.ca

Celebrating Municipal Awareness Day

May 19 is Municipal Awareness Day.  Throughout our discussions with people in the region, we have heard about the importance of municipal infrastructure.  For example, some communities in this area have been on boil water advisories for quite some time.  This is not only annoying to people but they are also concerned about using the water for cooking and cleaning purposes.  In other communities, water quality is quite high.  Recreation is another aspect that comes out when discussing community health and well-being.  Some communities have infrastructure such as parks and trails that can help to keep people healthy while other communities do not.  On this Municipal Awareness Day, think about the services offered by your community.  What's working well and what needs to be improved?

Optimism in Norman's Cove-Long Cove/Chapel Arm Area

Our discussion with community partners in the Norman's Cove-Long Cove/Chapel Arm area oozed with optimism!  The community is very proud of all of the services available in the area and in particular, with the strong levels of volunteerism in their communities.  One participant indicated that entire families volunteer to make things happen in the community.  They also spoke about the positive impacts of the Vale Inco work that is ongoing in the Long Harbour area.  They feel that retail outlets are benefiting and many homeowners are renting or boarding workers so there's an economic impact for them as well.

An Advisory Committee Member's Perspective

I recently asked members of the Needs Assessment Advisory Committee about their experience sitting on the committee so far.  Here's Barbara Humby's response:

I decided to apply to sit on the Advisory Committee because I know with the employment conditions surrounding our area and being a single parent, what a impact that can have on your health.  My experience so far as a member of Advisory Committee has been very interesting and rewarding. I didn't really know what to expect but I'm glad that I did join. I can see things more clearly and now I have a better understanding on several different issues.

Barb has been a great contributor to the Advisory Committee!

How Are You Celebrating?

Today is Canada Health Day.  It's celebrated every year on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale.


What are you doing to celebrate?  Consider:

• going for a walk
• take a hike in the woods
• hop on your bike
• play a game of tag with your children
• try a new fruit or vegetable you've never had before

Talking with Janet

To oversee the needs assessment, we have established a Steering Committee made up of Eastern Health employees.  One of the people who sits on the committee is Janet Fisher who work in Primary Health Care in Bonavista.  Janet is also a member of the Advisory Committee, made up of community residents.  We recently asked her thoughts on being a part of the Advisory Committee.

As a member of the Steering Committee, I volunteered to be part of the Advisory Committee because I work closely with community groups in my area.  I'm looking forward to learning more about the process and meeting people in the region who I may work with in the future.  I believe in community development and community capacity building and I hope that once a final report is written we can work together with community partners to enhance health and wellness in our communities.  So far I'm enjoying my experience as a member of the Advisory Committee especially hearing people's stories.  Our discussions thus far certainly highlight the diversity within our region.