In Canada, 75 per cent of illness is related to our lifestyle, our community and whether we can access health care, according to the Canadian Medical Association. Yet here in B.C., we know little about residents' lifestyles and health care access, or how their community affects their health.
A healthy community starts with each person within it, and that's who the organizers of the My Health My Community survey hope to hear from. The health survey is a joint initiative by Fraser Health, Vancouver Coastal Health and the University of British Columbia, which aims to know how lifestyle choices, the environment, neighbourhood characteristics and daily life interactions affect people's health.
Sepia Sharma, Fraser Health's community health specialist for Delta, wants to renew interest in the survey that started last June and encourage residents to complete the questionnaire and help improve the health of their community. The survey asks people aged 18 and over to provide information about their health, lifestyle, community involvement and neighbourhood characteristics.
"The survey is confidential and safeguards the information collected," said Sharma. "It asks a range of questions including whether or not we have safe places to walk and play, access to fruits and vegetables in our neighbourhood, work related and personal stresses, and whether we feel a sense of community."
The Corporation of Delta and many community organizations have rendered their support to promote the survey.
Sharma said she hopes to connect with other organizations that can help spread the word and consider having field surveyors at their public events.
"The survey is available till end of March and we hope Delta residents will add their voice by completing the survey to help improve their individual health, and also the health of their community," she added.
For more information to book surveyors contact Sepia at 604-507-5445 or to register and complete the survey, visit www.myhealthmycommunity.org.
