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.
Christie Wall, Fraser Health’s community health specialist in Burnaby, wants to renew interest in the survey that started in June. It asks people aged 18 and over to provide information about their health, lifestyle, community involvement and neighbourhood characteristics.
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.
“The survey asks questions ranging from whether or not we have safe places to walk and play, and access to fruits and vegetables in our neighbourhood, to whether we feel a sense of connectedness,” Wall told the NOW.
Wall said the City of Burnaby has stepped up to help promote the initiative.
“The City of Burnaby has also been working with us to promote the survey through linking to (the survey’s) pages on their website,” she said. “Their support has been crucial.”
City staff have also worked with Fraser Health, Cascade Heights Elementary School students, Voices of Burnaby Seniors and the Burnaby Access Advisory Committee to assess accessibility in the Cascade Heights area.
“The information they gathered will be used to improve pedestrian environments,” she said. “For example, we know that smooth sidewalks, curb ramps and safe crosswalks encourage people to walk more and get outside and meet neighbours.”
Wall said she hopes other community organizations and individuals will now help spread the word and consider having field surveyors at public events.
“New year’s resolutions and the end of the holiday season mark a time of renewed focus on health for many individuals,” she said. “However, sometimes in our focus on nutrition, physical activity and smoking behaviours, we can forget that work, love and play also influence our health.”
According to the initiative’s website, it follows strict privacy practices and has safeguards in place concerning the information collected. The survey will end on March 31.
“We hope Burnaby residents will resolve to not only improve their own individual health, but also the health of their community,” she added.
For more information about the survey or to register, visit www.myhealthmycommunity.org.
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