This study conducted a major survey of Alberta businesses to learn about their health promotion initiatives. This is an update from a similar 1985 survey.
A link to this resource is unavailable. A hard copy is available in the Centre library: Centre Publications, ID #1299
PDF file, 4 pages Published: Dec 2012 GeoOrigin: Alberta
This Research Update
article discusses some important research initiated by a group of community-based social service organizations in Regina, in relation to several determinants of community well-being. It outlines SPHERU’s role in completing analyses of the data and reporting on the findings from the research.
This document outlines the actions for wellness over the next 3 year (06-08). It reflects an increased focus on a shared responsibility for health and provides direction for promoting health, preventing illness and injury and increasing capacity in many sectors.
This resource is available in the Centre library: Health/Well-being--Public Policy, ID #1289
html file, 2 pages Published: 1998 GeoOrigin: Alberta
Six Alberta health-promotion centres founded a consortium to provide leadership in health promotion. This Research Update article looks at this joint commitment to health-promotion research, education, policy development, and dissemination.
This strategy document from the Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities aims to help people with disabilities to participate fully in all aspects of Alberta society.
Cavill, N., Foster, C, Oja, P., & Martin, B.W. (2006). An evidence-based approach to physical activity promotion and policy development in Europe: Contrasting case studies. Promotion & Education, 13, 104-111.
PDF file, 18 pages Published: 2007 GeoOrigin: Ontario
This booklet contains information specific to men on how to stay healthy and prevent disease. It emphasizes an active lifestyle, healthy eating, healthy weight, and making health a number one priority.
The Building a Healthy, Active Australia initiative helps tackle the growing problem of declining physical activity and poor eating habits among Australian children.
This website provides access to practical information and updates, and news for families, parents, older Australians, and teenagers and children.
You'll find information on healthy eating, regular physical activity, overweight and obesity (particularly for children and adolescents) and active living.
pdf file, 392 pages Published: Nov 2002 GeoOrigin: National
This report reviews medicare and recommends ways to improve the system's qualtity and sustainability. Chapter 5 ("Primary Health Care and Prevention," pp. 128-134) recognizes the value of physical activity in preventing chronic disease.
The report also recommends that the federal government "kick-start" primary health-care reform with $2.5 billion in funding between 2003 and 2005. These funds are to be used partly for "making Canada a world leader in reducing tobacco use and obesity."
The report also urges measures to increase physical activity in schools, support healthier workplaces, and systematically educate Canadians about the value of physical activity.
pdf file, 4 pages Published: Jun 2005 GeoOrigin: Alberta
This WellSpring issue focuses on Canada on the Move, a web-based physical activity research platform for research, evaluation, and partnership developed by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism, and Diabetes. This initiative (which focuses on walking) aims to improve the health of Canadians. The web site also provides resources such as pedometer tracking tools to allow users to follow their own progress over time.
The Canadian Cancer Society is community-based organization. Their website is full of resources concerning cancer. It's a great place to find information for your clients and patients, or for yourself.
pdf file, 41 pages Published: 2003 GeoOrigin: National
These guidelines update the weight classification system used in Canada since 1988. The guidelines identify health risks associated with body weight in individuals and populations and are aligned with World Health Organizations recommendations.
Resources include
a technical report;
a quick reference tool for professionals; and
questions and answers for both the public and professionals.
pdf file, 4 pages Published: 2002 GeoOrigin: Ontario
This four-page document defines capacity building and describes how it is used in health-promotion organizations and communities across Ontario. A reference, resource, and web site list are included.
The Center for Healthy Aging helps community-based organizations serving older adults to develop and implement evidence-based programs related to health promotion, disease prevention, and chronic disease self-management.
The Center also helps older adult service providers to implement healthy aging programs. Resources provided include
Ory, M., Hoffman, M. K., Hawkins, M., Sanner, B., & Mockenhaupt R. (2003). Challenging aging stereotypes: Strategies for creating a more active society. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 25(Suppl 2), 164-171.
pdf file, 20 pages Published: 2004 GeoOrigin: International
This summary from the “Choosing Health White Paper”presents key facts and information about future initiatives and targets for increasing physical activity in the UK.
Brownson, R.C., Baker, E.A., Boyd, R.L., Caito, N.M., Duggan, K., Housemann, R.A., et al. (2004). A community-based approach to promoting walking in rural areas. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 27, 28-34.
pdf file, 80 pages Published: 2005 GeoOrigin: International
This is a detailed report by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation identifying the barriers that American, Latino and Native American communities may face when developing physical activity and healthy eating programs.
This national food guide reflects the values, traditions and food choices of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. It includes foods such as moose stew, char and bannock!
pdf file, 60 pages Published: 2007 GeoOrigin: National
This resource guide for educators and communicators provides background information, as well as tips and tools, to complement each recommendation in Canada’s Food Guide.
This resource can be used to:
Write and talk about the importance of eating well
Dollman, J., Norton, K., & Norton, L. (2005). Evidence for secular trends in children's physical activity behaviour. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 39, 892-897.
The World Health Organization's support of this conference shows that physical activity is a priority at the global level. This web site provides information on the latest conference in this series that began in Ottawa in 1996.
pdf file, 22 pages Published: Apr 2004 GeoOrigin: International
In May 2004, the 57th World Health Assembly (WHA) endorsed the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity
and Health. The Strategy was developed through a wide-ranging series of consultations with all concerned stakeholders in response to a request from Member States at World Health Assembly 2002.
The Strategy is provided in a number languages and you will find accompany documents on this site.
The purpose of this document is to present recommendations to policy-makers regarding how they might more effectively fulfil their role in the evaluation of health promotion initiatives.
A link to this resource is unavailable. A hard copy is available in the Centre library: Health/Well-being--Health Promotion Evaluation [file cabinet], ID #560
The Alberta Centre for Well-Being and the Four Worlds Centre for Development Learning collaborate with a view to offer services designed to support health promotion work in the province.
A link to this resource is unavailable. A hard copy is available in the Centre library: Centre Publications, ID #622
Health promotion is a process, not a quick fix, according to a report from the PAHO Division of Health Promotion and Prevention. Health promotion aims to achieve an outcome over the long term, with specific results in the medium and short term. Specific outcomes differ, but they may involve citizen and community participation and may also contribute to improving quality of life. PAHO promotes a broad concept of health as a basis for human development and an acceptable quality of life.
388 pages Published: 1997 GeoOrigin: International
This impressive collection guides the efforts to understand and develop innovative, effective, and culturally sensitive approaches for minority youth populations.
A link to this resource is unavailable. A hard copy is available in the Centre library: Population Groups--Children/Youth, ID #139
These briefings address a variety of topics, including physical activity. They combine a teleconference with an interactive Web presentation. During each briefing, national experts help you develop senior health promotion and community education programs. You can call in toll free to hear the audio portion, and connect online to view and download documents.
Healthy Measures is a comprehensive campaign targeted at women 25-45 years of age that provides consistent messaging on healthy eating, physical activity and self-esteem.
Information for both consumers and health professionals is available on this website.
The "consumer" section includes tools such as self-assessment quiz, affirmations, tips, and a progress-monitoring chart.
The "health professional" section includes resources such as, step-by-step guidelines to launching a campaign, working with the media, advocating for the initiative, and other resources. (Also available in French.) You do have to register to get access to these free resources.
This resource supports implementation of General Outcomes B and D in Grade 10 of the Physical Education Kindergarten to Grade 12 Program of Studies. The resource provides eight learning opportunities that connect students with their heart-rate data.
This resource is also available in the Centre library: Population Groups - Children/Youth, ID #1134
Describes some of the key factors which support and encourage walking in a community. Provides tools to test the walkability of an area and gives tips to help make walking part of a daily routine. Includes links to related resources. Production of this material has been made possible through a financial contribution from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
This workbook poses and answers 8 questions that help guide the development of an evaluation plan; illustrates how techniques and principles used in other applied research studies can be adapted to worksite health promotion evaluations; and, places emphasis on the economic evaluation of worksite programs.
A link to this resource is unavailable. A hard copy is available in the Centre library: Workplace Wellness--Evaluation [file cabinet], ID #676
This report is about ideas, research and understanding of the importance of inclusion, broadening the dialogue so that attention is focused on the determinants of health. The report is based on six community forums on inclusion in 2005-2006.
A hard copy is also available in the Centre Library: Health/Well-Being--Health Determinants, Report ID #1323.
Verstraete, S.J.M., Cardon, G.M., De Clercq, D.L.R., & De Bourdeaudhuij, I.M.M. (2006). Increasing children's physical activity levels during recess periods in elementary schools: The effects of providing game equipment. European Journal of Public Health, 16, 415-419.
Stokols, D., Grzywacz, J.G., McMahan, S., & Phillips, K. (2003). Increasing the health promotive capacity of human environments . American Journal of Health Promotion, 18, 4-13.
Green, L.W., Orleans, C.T., Ottoson, J.M., Cameron, R., Pierce, J.P., & Bettinghaus, E.P. (2006). Inferring strategies for disseminating physical activity policies, programs, and practices from the successes of tobacco control. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 31(Suppl 4), 66-81.
Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada have many online resources related to people with disabilities, including accessibility, healthy living, and seniors. The resources help to answer common questions and aim to improve the health of Canadians with disabilities.
The "Guide to Governmentof Canada Services for People with Disabilities" is one of the resources included on the site.
The site also gives the user the option of chosing a larger text size for easier usability.
Yancey, A.K., Lewis, L.B., Sloane, D.C., Guinyard, J.J., Diamant, A.L., Nascimento, L.M., et al. (2004). Leading by example: A local health department-community collaboration to incorporate physical activity into organizational practice. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 10, 116-123.
This study resulted from a perception by members of The University of Calgary Health Promotion Research Group that there was duplication between and among initiatives.
A link to this resource is unavailable. A hard copy is available in the Centre library: Health/Well-being--Health Promotion [file cabinet], ID #268
In motion is a provincial strategy to help all Manitobans make physical activity part of their daily lives for health and enjoyment.
In motion works to build partnerships, increase public awareness, develop strategies and measure success.
In motion strategies focus on five specific groups: children, youth, adults, older adults, and families. Settings will include communities, schools and workplaces.
The World Health Organization (WHO) urges member states to celebrate "Move for Health" day each year to promote physical activity as essential for health and well-being. Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for chronic, noncommunicable diseases which cause 60% of global death and 47% of the burden of disease. This web site provides information sheets dealing with physical activity that relate to benefits, policy, youth, women, and older people. Links to other related WHO strategies are provided.
This fun, interactive tool allows you to personalize the information in Canada's Food Guide. In a few short steps, you can create a guide for healthy eating and active living that is customized just for you.
In addition to English and French, you can print this resource in:
The vision of the National Aboriginal Health Organization, an Aboriginal designed and controlled body, is to influence and advance the health and well-being of Aboriginal Peoples through carrying out knowledge-based strategies.
This website helps you search many resources about physical activity, leisure and exercise for people with mobility barriers to physical activity
The programs and resources include the following:
Books, journals, magazines, newsletters, pamphlets and reports.
Developed by Alberta Milk, this is quick and easy resource is designed to help health professionals share the importance of healthy nutrition. This resource brochure can be downloaded directly from the website or ordered for free online.
Evidence-based policies and programs that support healthy eating and enhance population-health require relevant and current research and the capacity to measure progress and outcomes.
There are numerous reports including:
Guiding Canadians Towards Healthy Eating - National Nutrition Leadership
Action Towards Healthy Eating - Canada's Guidelines for Healthy Eating and Recommended Strategies for Implementation
pdf file, 50 pages Published: Oct 2008 GeoOrigin: International
This document from the United Kingdom is targeted toward “primary care and other professionals who have a direct or indirect role in, and responsibility for, promoting older people's mental wellbeing. It presents recommendations for promoting the mental wellbeing of older people through occupational therapy and physical activity interventions."
The Office of Nutrition Policy and Promotion, under Health Canada, supports the nutritional health and well-being of Canadians by defining, promoting and implementing evidence-based nutrition and healthy eating policies.
Wormald, H., Waters, H., Sleap, M., & Ingle, L. (2006, August 4). Participants' perceptions of a lifestyle approach to promoting physical activity: Targeting deprived communities in Kingston-Upon-Hull [Electronic version]. BMC Public Health, 6, 202.
This guidebook illustrates how participatory research can be applied in health promotion in Canada; it uses Canadian examples to explain participatory research in health promotion; it identifies individuals, materials, information and resources that can help community groups and organization in planning, implementing and evaluating participatory research projects.
A link to this resource is unavailable. A hard copy is available in the Centre library: Health/Well-being--Participatory Research [file cabinet], ID #501
Taylor, A.H., Cable, N.T., Faulkner, G., Hillsdon, M., Narici, M., & Van Der Bij, A.K. (2004). Physical activity and older adults: A review of health benefits and the effectiveness of interventions. Journal of Sports Sciences, 22, 703-725.
Plotnikoff, R. (2006). Physical activity in the management of diabetes: Population-based perspectives and strategies. Canadian Journal of Diabetes, 30, 52-62.
The Physical Activity Resource Centre (PARC) exists to build the capacity of physical activity promoters across Ontario to deliver quality physical activity initiatives and effectively promote physical activity in a population-health context.
The 2004 Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in Balance is a report on the initial assessment of the nature, extent and consequences of childhood obesity. The findings and recommendations are described in the report.
You will also find a follow-up study and specific reports addressing the roles of schools, communities, media and industry.
At the bottom of the screen, you will find a series of fact sheets on these topics as well!
Tuomilehto, J., Lindtrom, J., Eriksson, J.G., Valle, T.T., Hamalainen, H., Ilanne-Parikka, P., et al. (2001). Prevention of Type 2 diabetes mellitus by changes in lifestyle among subjects with impaired glucose tolerance. The New England Journal of Medicine, 344, 1343-1350.
This section on the Canadian Cancer Society's website is all about prevention. It has great information for yourself, or for your clients and patients.
The Prince Edward Island Strategy for Healthy Living, through its partners, will collectively encourage and support Islanders to take measures to address the common risk factors that contribute to chronic disease (tobacco use, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity).
Wen, L.M., Thomas, M., Jones, H., Orr, N., Moreton, R., King, L., et al. (2002). Promoting physical activity in women: Evaluation of a 2-year community-based intervention in Sydney, Australia . Health Promotion International, 17, 127-137.
pdf file, 29 pages Published: Nov 2002 GeoOrigin: International
The negative effects of sprawl (developing low-density housing farther from urban centres) are drawing increased attention. This paper discusses disparities in physical activity, health conditions, and local opportunities to be physically active, particularly for low-income communities. Strategies that can improve neighbourhoods so that residents can lead healthy active lives are offered.
Representatives from 12 Health Promotion Research Centres met in Ottawa to explore current issues, challenges and opportunities in health promotion research; discuss ways to take action on these issues; and, facilitate networking, information-sharing and collaboration among the Centres.
A link to this resource is unavailable. A hard copy is available in the Centre library: Health/Well-being--Health Promotion [file cabinet], ID #626
This meeting was convened to discuss current issues and opportunities in health promotion and health promotion research; explore health promotion's evoloving role in taking action on the determinants of health; explore and develop effective ways to participate in the health policy making process; facilitate networking, information-sharing and collaboration among Health Promotion Research Centres.
A link to this resource is unavailable. A hard copy is available in the Centre library: Health/Well-being--Health Promotion [file cabinet], ID #628
The report covers the following topics: the issues and opportunites in health promotion at national, provincial and regional levels; explores health promotion's evolving role in taking action on the determinants of health; to facilitate networking, information sharing, and collaboration among those involved in health promotion across the country.
A link to this resource is unavailable. A hard copy is available in the Centre library: Health/Well-being--Health Promotion [file cabinet], ID #726
A 2004 public-health consultation allowed the British public to comment on key health issues and on the relationship between government and society and personal responsibility.
This fact sheet sets out key principles for supporting the public to make healthier and more informed choices about health.
pdf file, 11 pages Published: 2008 GeoOrigin: International
The Supportive Environments for Physical Activity and Healthy Eating project (SEPAHE) aims to guide and assist local governments in Queensland to create environments that support increased physical activity and improved.
This document discusses how the investment in mid-life health promotion program and policies today will help to promote a healthy older population in the future.
A link to this resource is unavailable. A hard copy is available in the Centre library: Population Groups--Older Adults, ID #1293
This resource is a PowerPoint presentation with speaker's notes that present health promotion and population health theory in a creative, easy-to-understand format. The resource can be used with community members, health professionals and sectors outside of health. The Population Health Promotion Tree uses the structure of the apple tree (roots, trunk, branches, leaves, flowers and fruit) to illustrate the principles of Population Health Promotion.
A link to this resource is unavailable. A hard copy is available in the Centre library: Health/Well-being--Population Health, ID #1291
This web site, founded on the principles of community-based social marketing, offers specific tools, case studies, and a planning guide for helping people adopt habits that promote health and/or are more environmentally friendly. The tools provide fundamental ways of motivating people to take the action you wish them to take. The step-by-step planning guide includes
setting objectives;
developing partners;
getting informed;
targeting the audience;
choosing tools of change;
financing the program;
measuring achievements.
Each step offers plenty of examples.
This web site will help you include in your programs the best practices of many other programs, practices that have already been successful in changing people's behaviour.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer this excellent series for both practitioners and the lay audience about nutrition and weight management.
You will find fact sheets, power point presentations and brochures, and you will have access to various topics such as:
Can eating fruits and vegetables help people to manage their weight?
Do increased portion sizes affect how much we eat?
Does drinking beverages with added sugars increase the risk of overweight?
Does breastfeeding reduce the risk of pediatric overweight?
Stewart-Brown S. (2006). What is the evidence on school health promotion in improving health or preventing disease and, specifically, what is the effectiveness of the health promoting schools approach? World Health Organization. Retrieved October, 2006, from http://www.euro.who.int/document/e88185.pdf
