Healthy Communities

Healthy communities have more places to play, more places to grow and find fresh food and more ways to get around by walking, cycling or using public transportation. They support their residents in adopting healthier lifestyles by providing access to tobacco-free environments and social connections that foster positive mental health.

In healthy communities, it is a priority to encourage residents of all ages to achieve and maintain their best possible health. We are working with communities across British Columbia to make it easier for all residents to make healthy choices every day where they live, work, learn and play.

Projects

We partner with many local, provincial and national organizations and all levels of government to create supportive environments that enable British Columbians to make healthier choices.

Healthy Families BC Communities

This provincial initiative works to increase support in communities for families to live healthier lives. In partnership with health authorities, the BC Healthy Communities Society program PlanH and the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) and other NGOs, the program provides ongoing support, resources guidance to local governments on building healthy living communities.

PlanH

PlanH is a partnership between BC Healthy Communities Society and the Ministry of Health, and is informed by health authorities and other key stakeholders. The program supports local government engagement and partnerships across sectors for creating healthier communities. Recognizing that community policy, plans, and decisions affect health and well-being, PlanH provides learning opportunities and resources for collaborative local action. Emphasis is given to the areas of physical activity, healthy eating, tobacco reduction, healthy built environments and priority populations.

Age-Friendly BC

In an age-friendly British Columbia, older people are supported to live active, socially engaged, independent lives. Through Age-friendly B.C., the Province is working with local governments and other partners to achieve a vision of a province where people of all ages and abilities feel included and valued in their communities.

Learn More

It takes the combined effort of everyone, including local businesses, governments, volunteers, organizations, schools, health authorities and health services to help create a healthy community. Here are some links:

BC Healthy Communities

A provincewide not-for-profit organization that facilitates  the ongoing development of healthy, thriving and resilient communities, and provides a range of services, programs, events and resources to support communities, local governments and multi-sectoral groups to collaborate around a shared vision for a common purpose

• BC Healthy Communities

Healthy Communities Committee (Union of BC Municipalities)

The committee's primary focus is on health promotion and disease prevention initiatives and policy directions that assist communities to be proactive in addressing community health problems

• Healthy Communities Committee