Celebrate Community Health Board Week

“Community Health Boards advocate for improved health and health services based on needs identified in their communities. They support and encourage the public to participate in activities that will improve their health,” says South Shore Health’s Board Chair Roxie Smith. “We are proud to partner with our Community Health Boards as they actively strive to make the South Shore a healthier place to live, work and play.”

Community Health Boards have been working at the grassroots level in Lunenburg and Queens counties for many years to improve the health of their communities. They were given an official role in health care planning and delivery in 2001 under the Health Authorities Act. Their responsibilities include collecting and sharing information on local health needs and services and identifying factors that influence health.

Community Health Boards develop community health plans to advise the health authority on ways to improve health and health services. They also help educate the public about health and the health care system, participate in the allocation of grants to promote better health and encourage partnerships and community participation around health initiatives.

“Our volunteer Boards have been able to provide wellness grants to many community-based projects and partnerships in support of their health promotion efforts,” said Lunenburg County Community Health Board Chairman Co-Chair, Marianne Beaton. “Community Health Board week is an opportunity to profile and celebrate the work that is being done by some of these organizations to promote and maintain healthy communities.”

To celebrate Community Health Board Week, there will be a Family Fun Day in each county on September 27. The Community Health Boards have also been working with community partners to host events in several communities during the week (See schedule) promoting healthy lifestyles.

“We encourage our friends and neighbours to take this opportunity to meet your community health board members, find out what we’re doing to make our communities healthier and participate in some fun-filled and informative events and activities,” said Queens Community Health Board Chairman Grant Webber.