Lifestyle prescriptions initiative gets federal funding

On behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health, the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Regional Minister of Southwestern Ontario, today announced funding for a project to promote healthy living and type 2 diabetes prevention. Lifestyle Prescriptions and Supports to Reduce the Risk of Diabetes in Rural and Remote Communities will support the Lawson Health Research Institute (Lawson), in implementing innovative programs for adults and children over the age of 10 living in rural and remote communities in Ontario, Québec, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories. The announcement was made at the Western Centre for Public Health and Family Medicine

"Providing supportive environments that let Canadians take control of their health is a collaborative effort between families, governments, not-for-profit organizations and the private sector," said Minister Finley. "Working together, our shared goal is to put information about chronic disease prevention into the hands of rural Canadians.

Lifestyle Prescriptions is a multi-sectoral partnership involving the Public Health Agency of Canada, Lawson, Dietitians of Canada, and other partners from across the country. The project will implement training for coaches to deliver in-person, telephone and online exercise and healthy eating support, and two mobile apps (HealtheSteps and eaTracker) will be developed for use by participants and evaluated by project partners.

"With this project, our goal is to put information about chronic disease prevention into the hands of rural Canadians, give them incentives to adopt healthier and more active lifestyles, and then evaluate the results and benefits," said Dr. Rob Petrella, a professor in the Departments of Family Medicine and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and Lawson scientist. "We are pleased to be partnering with the Government of Canada to help Canadians change their behaviour in a positive way, reducing their risks for type 2 diabetes."

"As experts in food and nutrition, Dietitians of Canada is excited to be a partner in creating evidence-based apps that can be used by Canadians anywhere, anytime to manage their healthy lifestyle goals. Our participation means the content used by the apps will be grounded in science and will produce useful feedback to make healthy eating easier," said Marsha Sharp, Chief Executive Officer of Dietitians of Canada.

This project is funded under the Public Health Agency of Canada's Integrated Strategy on Healthy Living and Chronic Disease, which provides a framework for the federal government to promote the health of all Canadians and reduce the impact of chronic disease in Canada. For further information, please visit http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/fo-fc/mspphl-pppmvs-eng.php.