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.

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.

A Visit to Norman's Cove-Long Cove

At a focus group at Norman's Cove-Long Cove last night, community members talked about aging communities and the impact that it has on people and a community as a whole.  They also spoke about a vibrant voluntary sector and the importance that volunteers bring to a community.  People are proud of the services they have available in their town:  from Moving 4 Health to square dancing to cadets to walking trails. We had a good discussion about health concerns in the area.  Last night was a beautiful evening and it was wonderful for these people to come out to talk about the health of their community.

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.

A Visit to a Family Resource Centre

Family Resource Centres have received a lot of mention during the needs assessment process.  Throughout the region, people see them as one of our greatest strengths.  The Discovery Zone has two Family Resource Centres:  The Vista Family Resource Centre and The Neighbourhood of Friends.

We have invited representatives from both organizations to speak with us about the health needs of the area.  Last week, we met with the Neighbourhood of Friends.  During our session, they spoke a lot about the challenges throughout the region, particularly in terms of the increasingly wide gulf between the rich and the poor.  They talked about how difficult it is for families to eat healthy foods on fixed incomes and they spoke about the challenges trying to access certain services due to a number of reasons, from wait lists to knowing what services are available to literacy challenges.

Happy Volunteer Week!

The week of April 18 is Volunteer Week in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.  Volunteers are everywhere in our communities.  Our needs assessment relies on our Advisory Committee members who serve as volunteers.  The people who participate in focus group sessions, key informant interviews and telephone surveys volunteer their time and opinions.

As we talk with people about the needs assessment, the word volunteer comes up a lot.  On the positive side, people acknowledge and are very grateful for the support of volunteers who play such an important role in our communities.  On the negative side, people express concern that the same people seem to volunteer for the same things.  As they age, they wonder who will take their place.

The next time you go to a community event, take the time to acknowledge a volunteer - they deserve your thanks!

In the Bonavista Area

Yesterday's focus groups in Bonavista and Port Union went well.  We had sessions with health providers, the Bonavista Area Primary Health Care Advisory Committee and community partners. 

During the community partners session, in particular, I was struck by how much people appreciated the opportunity to have a say into the health needs of their communities and how much they value the importance of working together to improve the health of communities.  It was a very snowy night and it was great to see that people made the effort to have their say and to participate in the process.

1000 Cities; 1000 Lives

Yesterday was World Health Day as proclaimed by the World Health Organization (WHO) with celebrations going on for the whole week.  This year's theme focuses on health and urbanization.  By 2030, six out of every 10 people will be city dwellers, rising to seven out of every 10 people by 2050.

As part of the theme, cities are invited to open a portion of their streets to people for a physical or mental health activity and close them to motor vehicles.  It could be an opportunity for  physical exercise, meeting family, friends and community, health checks, eating healthy local food or visiting local attractions.

The World Health Day has a goal of 1000 Cities: 1000 Lives:   get 1000 cities to sign up for the challenge and identify 1000 individuals who are champions of health in your community.   Who are the health champions in your community?  Could your community participate in an initiative like this?

What Are You Eating?

Meetings seem to be a fact of life.  We have them at our workplaces as employees and in our communities as volunteers.  If you attend a meeting where a snack or meal is served, do you stop and take note of what you're eating?  If you're organizing the meeting, do you think about the snacks being ordered? 

One of the topics that's talked about a lot during our needs assessment is the importance of healthy eating.  Sometimes, we eat what's in front of us because it's convenient or it's a treat or it's just a habit.  Next time you organize a meeting, think about the food you provide and make healthy choices.  When we eat healthy, we have more energy and can be more productive.

Here are a few tips to consider:

• If you're providing vegetables and dip, ask for dips made with yogurt or low-fat sour cream.
• Always make sure water is available for drinking.
• Provide milk in addition to cream for coffee and tea.
• Ask for sandwiches on an assortment of whole grain breads, rolls, pitas, wraps, etc.
• Order green salads made with spinach, romaine lettuce or leaf lettuce rather than iceberg lettuce
• Offer fruit as a dessert alternative.

Becoming aware of our food choices can make us all healthier!

Great Interest in the Advisory Committee

There seems to be lots of interest in the Advisory Committee.  Great stuff!  So far, there have been two applications submitted and others have indicated that they will be submitting theirs by the deadline of February 5.  Of course, the hardest thing about getting a lot of responses is having to decide who sits on the committee.  The needs assessment Steering Committee (comprised of staff and managers of Eastern Health) will review the applications and try to decide on which combination of people will make up the most diverse group representing the determinants of health.

Frequently Asked Questions About Advisory Committees

Yesterday's post was the ad that we are running to invite community residents to participate on the Advisory Committee associated with the Discovery Zone Community Health Needs Assessment.  We have put together some questions and answers that people have about sitting on such a committee. Take a look and see if this experience is for you!

Why are you advertising for individuals to sit on an Advisory Committee?When we conduct needs assessments, we set up Advisory Committees to assist with the process. This has worked well for our past needs assessments.

What is the purpose of the Advisory Committee?

The purpose of the committee (and the role they’ve played during previous needs assessments) is to provide advice and feedback on the process (how we are going about the assessment) that we use in the needs assessments. We also ask Advisory Committee participants to provide feedback on the findings of the needs assessment results.

You’re looking for people with experience in particular areas, such as employment, social support networks and physical environment. Why?

We know that there are a number of factors that influence the health of a person. These factors interact with each other to have an impact on our health and well-being. These are called the ‘determinants of health.’ Having people around the table who have experience/knowledge of these factors is helpful.

What are Advisory Committee members expected to do?

We are asking that people be prepared to attend at least four meetings and to be prepared to provide advice and feedback on the process and the findings of the assessment. In addition to the meetings, it is likely that additional contact will be made through e-mail or phone.

Will you be paying people to participate?

No. It is a volunteer position. However, we can pay mileage or other transportation costs for Advisory Committee members to attend meetings.

When do you expect the needs assessment process to conclude?

We expect we will have a public release of the report in the Fall of 2010.

Once the needs assessment report is complete, will there be a role for the Advisory Committee?

With past needs assessments, the Board of Trustees has publicly reported back to the community on the status of the report’s recommendations two years after the release of the report. In those situations, the Advisory Committee was invited back to hear about the status.

What happens to the report once it is completed?

The report and its findings and recommendations are used throughout the organization and the report is a public document that is a great resource to community groups. With past needs assessments, the Board of Trustees received progress reports on the implementation of the recommendations every 6 months. Two years after the release of the reports we went back to the communities to let them know about the progress.

If I apply to be on the Committee am I guaranteed to sit on it?

No. We appreciate the interest of everyone who would like to participate on the committee. We would like to have a committee that is diverse and includes people from various backgrounds with knowledge/information about various determinants of health.

If I don’t get asked to sit on the Advisory Committee can I still participate somehow?

Yes. Part of the needs assessment will include a lot of opportunities to make your views known. For example, you could be asked to sit in on a focus group or to participate in an interview. We will also be inviting written/oral submissions from people.

I’d like to apply to sit on the Advisory Committee. How do I go about doing it?

Complete an Advisory Committee Application Form (contact Lisa at 466-5863 or needsassessment@easternhealth.ca to receive a copy) by February 5.  The application form can be completed in writing or arrangements can be made for it to be completed verbally.

Looking for Advisory Committee Members

For each of the needs assessments completed by Eastern Health, we have established an Advisory Committee, consisting of people who live in the area being assessed.  Here's the ad that is currently in the media:

Eastern Health is starting a community health needs assessment of the Discovery Zone region (Bonavista Peninsula to Port Blandford to Swift Current to Chapel Arm).

As part of the process, an Advisory Committee will be set up. This committee will be asked to give advice and feedback on the process and findings of the assessment.

We are looking for people to sit on the Advisory Committee who have an interest and experience in the “determinants of health”. The determinants of health are all the things that affect the health of a person or a community overall, such as employment and working conditions, child development, support networks, income, or the physical environment.

Applications must be received by February 5. To apply and for more information, please contact::  Lisa Browne, Eastern Health, Park Place, 50A Manitoba Dr, Clarenville, NL, A5A 1K5, needsassessment@easternhealth.ca

466-5863 (p) 466-6343 (f)

The purpose of the committee (and the role they’ve played during previous needs assessments) is to provide advice and feedback on the process that we use in the needs assessments. We also ask Advisory Committee participants to provide feedback on the findings of the needs assessment results.

Pictured here is the Advisory Committee from the Burin Peninsula Community Health Needs Assessment.