Prince George, B.C.- Although Statistics Canada’s Canadian Community Health Survey for 2011 indicates families in B.C. are leading the way when it comes to healthy lifestyles, the picture isn’t quite as positive in the region covered by the Northern Health Authority. 

For example:  

There is still a great deal of work to be done.

Last month, the Province of B.C. joined forces with ParticipACTION to promote healthy living and physical activity in an effort to reduce obesity rates and chronic disease. Northern Health’s report on Healthy Communities, puts forth several ideas on getting people to be more active, including regulating public transit fees and parking fees to positively discriminate in favour of active transportation (e.g. walking, cycling) and other means of transportation that deliver health and/or environmental benefits (e.g. public transit) 

The Northern Health report also suggests higher prices for tobacco products to reduce smoking. To get people to eat healthier meals, the Northern Health report suggests, new policies to support “family meals” eg; “create family eating spaces in recreation centres to encourage families to eat together; policies regarding recreation centre schedules that support families to eat meals at home”.  It also calls for policies to limit the advertising of unhealthy eating practices and foods.