Do you ever wonder what happens to the information gathered from the many surveys we are all asked to complete? Exactly. What did they discover and how does it affect us, if at all? We have an answer for you on one specific survey: My Health, My Community, conducted in late 2013 by Vancouver Coastal Health. Every part of our region was included, down to the community level.
Approximately 1,100 people on the Sunshine Coast completed the survey, answering questions about their health, lifestyle choices, community involvement and neighbourhood characteristics. The goal of the survey was to better understand community needs and characteristics so programs, services and even infrastructure could be improved to best meet those needs. The results have been compiled, and while they need to be further analysed, some trends are already recognizable.
With the support and funding from BC Healthy Communities and in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Town of Gibsons and District of Sechelt were able to access these funds. The Sunshine Coast Community Foundation administered the funds to host three community presentations to report the results of the survey back to the participants and to engage the public in developing recommendations for elected officials and healthcare providers on the Coast.
Three forums were held in September in Sechelt, Pender Harbour and Gibsons. Each began with a review of the survey’s findings, starting with a demographic summary — such as the fact that more than half of the Sunshine Coast’s residents are over 55.
There were many areas with positive results. These included lower stress levels than found in the overall B.C. population, along with smoking rates well below the provincial average. There is a strong sense of community belonging on the Sunshine Coast, with three-quarters of those surveyed responding positively. More than half of us meet physical activity guidelines.
Naturally, there are areas where we could be healthier. Critically, our burden of chronic disease is higher than overall B.C.’s. A high number of older citizens contributes to this, but there are other factors to watch as well: obesity on the Sunshine Coast is higher than B.C. overall; fewer than a third of people eat the recommended five-plus servings of vegetables and fruits per day; and alcohol consumption is higher than the overall B.C. numbers. Also contributing is that we have fewer opportunities for active transportation.
The September presentations included workshops to generate feedback and assist with developing an action plan from the results of the survey. Among the many ideas coming out of the workshops, a number stood out: concern for obesity, diet and sedentary behaviour; and better built environment to encourage active transportation, including wider, paved sidewalks and more of them, not only in downtown areas.
Among the recommendations from the work groups came ideas like establishing a wellness clinic run by a nurse practitioner as this could take a burden off doctors. And concern for an aging population included a need for more long-term care beds and access to specialist services.
Although it may feel like the survey is done and we can move on, there are crucial next steps. In addition to completing the analysis of date, getting the early findings to the community is also important because, with the information in hand, people can step up to assist and influence local governments and community agencies in their planning for our better health.
Sunshine Coast residents have an opportunity to receive the survey results at a community presentation. Everyone is welcome to attend on Thursday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. at the Sunshine Coast Golf Course in Roberts Creek.
