The Relationship with the School System

One of the themes arising from the needs assessment is the emphasis that must be placed on youth and their health and well-being.  In particular, people who participated in the needs assessment process spoke about the need for strong collaborative relationships between the school system and the health system.  Arising from this theme, we will be meeting with the Eastern School District-Eastern Health Liaison Committee to discuss some of the findings and talk about possible solutions.

A Great Afternoon with the Women's Institute

Over the weekend, we were invited to attend a Women's Institute meeting consisting of clubs on the Bonavista Peninsula to Harcourt to speak about the needs assessment process.  It was an excellent opportunity to learn about the Women's Institute and to enjoy an outstanding potluck lunch!

The aim of the Women's Institute, as noted on their website, is: 

The present day Newfoundland and Labrador Women’s Institutes is an informal, educational organization for women to work together to expand their skills, broaden their interests, plan meetings, workshops and conferences, and strengthen the quality of life for themselves, their families and their communities.

The meeting certainly seemed to reflect this aim.  Participants brought along many of the crafts that they had been working on and seemed to thoroughly enjoy each other's friendship.  For Eastern Health, it was an opportunity to let people know how to participate in the needs assessment process.

Talking with School Principals

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to meet with school principals in our region.  Education is a determinant of health and as we have been talking with people, education is something that is brought up again and again.  People recognize the importance of educating children about personal health practices.  They also see that linkages between Eastern Health and the Eastern School District need to be very strong.

People talk about the importance of the school system and, in particular, how nutrition and physical activity habits can be influenced within the school system.   A number of people also talk about the role that children have in teaching parents/guardians about positive health practices.

Acknowledging Education Week

This is Education Week in Newfoundland and Labrador.  It offers the opportunity to reflect on the importance of education for people of all ages.  During our key informant interviews for the needs assessment, education comes up as an important factor. 

People with low levels of education suffer poorer health and well-being. Compared to non-graduates, high school graduates:

- use preventative medical services 11% more frequently
- make 2% fewer multiple visits to doctors
- have 23% better knowledge of health behaviours
- have 13% better general health status
- have 26% better family functioning (Federal, Provincial and Territorial Advisory Committee on Population Health, 1999).

So, Happy Education Week!  Embrace the opportunity to learn!

Speaking with the College of the North Atlantic

One of the key informants identified for our needs assessment is the College of the North Atlantic.  In this region, there are two campuses:  Clarenville and Bonavista.  The College has been asked to participate in the needs assessment process based on their knowledge of education as a determinant of health as well as their knowledge of the youth population.

In addition to their educational role, the College also plays a role in social supports.  Many of their Continuing Education courses bring people together who may not otherwise know each other.

Education contributes to health by giving people knowledge and skills for problem solving, and helps provide a sense of control over their life. It increases opportunities for jobs and income security, and job satisfaction. It improves people's ability to access and understand information to help keep them healthy.

According to Census 2006, 33.7% of people 18 to 64 years of age in the Discovery Zone do not have a high school diploma compared to 25.1% of people in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.  About 8.1% of people aged 25 to 54 had a Bachelor's Degree or higher in 2006 compared to 15.1% in the province.  About 79.1% of people 25 to 34 years of age in the Discovery Zone had at least a high school diploma. This compares to 85.4% in the entire province and 89.1% for Canada.