Our Partners in Promoting the Health of Older People in B.C.

Health promotion, as defined by the World Health Organization, is the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health. 

Health promotion for older people in B.C. requires collaborative action and partnerships at all levels of society.  Partnerships are vital in activating individuals and organizations that contribute to healthy living and quality of life for older people. 

The Healthy Children, Women and Seniors and Injury Prevention Branch of the Ministry of Health provides overall leadership in health promotion for older people in B.C.
Among our key partners in this work are:

• All health authorities in British Columbia
• Union of BC Municipalities
• 2010 Legacies Now
• BC Recreation and Parks Association
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• World Health Organization
• Numerous organizations working with older people
• Other B.C. Ministries and agencies:  Community Services and Ministry Responsible for Seniors; Employment and Income Assistance; BC Housing; BC Transit
• Academic and research organizations

Five areas are identified as key to active aging:  physical activity, healthy eating, living tobacco free, preventing falls, and promoting social connections.  Encouraging older people to be active is a key focus of ActNow BC, a partnership-based, cross-ministry health and wellness initiative that works to motivate all British Columbians to make healthy living choices to improve quality of life.

The Premier’s Council on Aging and Seniors’ Issues endorsed ActNow BC and the key areas of focus for active aging.  In its report, Aging Well in British Columbia (November, 2006), the Council considered how to support older people in continuing to be contributing members of society, and to be independent and healthy.