July 28:  Tanya Hill, Communities Matter for Health

 
This morning, QSR heard from Tanya Hill of HPE Public Health about Communities Matter for Health, a partnership of local area organizations which have been meeting to discuss and implement strategies to address public health in the Quinte area.
 
This group believes that it is not good enough to respond to illness when it occurs but to examine its underlying causes, such as inactive lifestyles and unhealthy eating habits.  The people of Hastings County face many issues, including an aging population, sedentary behavior, and a rural setting compounded by the second highest level of poverty in Ontario.  It's pushing to implement a number of actions, such as the development of parks and trails for walking and bicycling, and community gardens in areas available to all.
 
The group is approaching other community organizations and municipalities to sign a healthy community declaration, and QSR is proud to have already done so.