IS IT TIME TO MOVE BEYOND RATES, RECREATION & RUBBISH??

An opportunity for local governments to develop public health policy!

Since taking on the role of being an elected representative of the Cariboo Regional District I find myself surprised and interested to learn what services local government feels is their responsibility to provide, manage and tax for.  In regards to the CRD, it provides the following services (budget allocation in parenthesis):

Recreation (32%), Environmental (16%), Protective Services (14%), General / Admin (12%), Water (6%), Sewer (3%), Development (6%), Airports (3%), Municipal Debt (6%), Other (2%).  For a complete description of each of these services, refer to the CRD Town Hall Budget Booklet which can be accessed online at http://www.cariboord.bc.ca/WhatsNew/TownHallMeetings.aspx

The Cariboo Regional District had a budget in 2011 of $41,031,413 and a population of 62,392 (based upon the 2011 Canada Census results).  As such, the average cost per person for the services offered was  $657.00.  Fortunately for Regional District residents, the CRD has several sources of funds other than just tax requisition.  The sources (with percentages in parentheses) are: Tax Requisition (54%), Operating Surpluse (22%), User Fees (4%), Grants (7%), Municipal Debt (6%), Capitol Reserve (2%) and Other (5%).

As can be noted, based upon the above numbers, the CRD spent upwards of $6,565,026.00 on “Environmental Services” which includes Invasive Plant Management, Solid Waste Management and Rural Refuse.  Rural Refuse has the largest budget and basically equates to managing items we purchase but no longer want and /or have use for.  In simple terms, it is garbage, biodegradable / compostable items, recyclables, etc.  It surprises me that we purchase packaging and then turn around and pay to manage its disposal.  Based upon the total number, it costs each CRD resident approximately $105.00 to manage for garbage and invasive plants.

Another large budgeted item is Recreation (32% / $ 13,130,052.16) which primarily is focused on the administration and management of numerous recreational services within the Region.  This includes major facilities (ice rinks, swimming pools, multi-purpose spaces) and rural community recreational services (e.g. halls, sport fields, green spaces).

One discussion I had recently is the linkage between Health and Recreation.  As can be noted, the Cariboo Regional District currently does not develop policy pertaining to health.  It could be argued (and it is) that Health and Recreation are quite separate whereas  I believe they are linked and that local government can also take a more active role in policy setting which embraces the creation of local healthy communities.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defined health in its broader sense in 1946 as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being" and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. It is known that better health is central to human happiness and well-being.  It also makes an important contribution to economic progress, as healthy populations live longer, are more productive, and save more.  There are many ways our society could achieve greater "health".  Access to  recreation is but one way "health" can be achieved.  Other ways include affordable housing, increased food security, poverty reduction, reduced usage of fossil fuels, a focus on sustainable community development, clean air, more exercise, etc.  There are many issues that local government could address other than just recreation.

Perhaps local government should also have policies on "health" of which access to recreational services is included in the policies. According to the WHO, Health Policy refers to decisions, plans, and actions that are undertaken to achieve specific health care goals within a society.  It outlines priorities and the expected roles of different groups; and it builds consensus and informs people.

In May 2011, the Province launched a Healthy Families BC Strategy.  This $68 million health promotion program will be comprised of a 4 key Healthy Families BC strategy to support families and communities.  The 4 areas are:    

Ø  Healthy Lifestyles – supporting British Columbians in managing their own health and reducing chronic disease by working with physicians to ensure consistent delivery of proven prevention initiatives.

Ø  Healthy Eating – initiatives aimed at supporting healthy choices, in the home, the school and the community and creating environments that support the provision of healthier foods and make their choice easier.

Ø  Healthy Start – helping the most vulnerable families in British Columbia get the best start in life.

Ø  Healthy Communities– encouraging British Columbians to lead healthier lives where they live, work, learn and play.

Local governments are included in the 4th area - Healthy Communities.  YAY!!!  Based upon this… health will become a priority of local government!

Based upon a News Release titled “Healthy Communities Support Healthy Families BC” (http://www.fraserhealth.ca/about_us/media_centre/news_releases/news-releases-archive/2011_news_releases/healthy_communities_support_healthy_families_bc?tpid=110) comprehensive consultations will take place with local governments throughout British Columbia  over the next few months with the intent to launch Healthy Families BC Communities in early 2012.

 As a part of the Healthy Families BC Communities initiative, provincial health authorities will work with interested communities to develop plans to make their city or town healthier. Planning can take place in such areas as physical activity, healthy eating, tobacco reduction, healthy-built environments and priority populations.

 Some of the topics to be discussed during upcoming consultations will include:

Ø  Partnerships between the Province, local governments and health authorities;

Ø  Development of community health profiles and community baseline assessments to identify priority actions;

Ø  Recognition of communities that have made a commitment to develop priority actions to improve the health of citizens;

Ø  Targeted health authority intervention to support local actions to address measurable improvements in the health of communities; and

Ø  Community events to celebrate success.

 

Chronic disease and obesity not only result in direct costs to the health-care system, but indirect ones as well. These include increased absenteeism and decreased productivity at work, as well as a lower quality of life.

Local government is ideally placed to develop and implement local policies and actions to address health and the broad range of deteminants that influence health.  This involves actions in a range of areas including transport, roads, parks, waste, land use, house and urban planning, recreation and cultural activities and creating safe public places. 

I will be attending the Local Government consultation session with Northern Health scheduled for May 2, 2012 in 100 Mile House, BC at North Central Local Government Association (http://www.nclga.ca/) conference.  I look forward to hearing the approach to building relationships between local government and health authorities and how this consultation will benefit our northern communities.