Source
Download (293.59 KB) #Abstract
Historically, several Canadian CHCs have been actively involved in addressing environmental exposures in their communities. A scan of current activities revealed two CHCs with explicit environmental health programs and a wide variety of initiatives addressing ecological determinants of health. Indigenous CHC staff built on traditional healing and teaching approaches to connect the health of the land with its bounty and their clients’ health. Community development activities promoting healthy settings included advocating for cleanup of contaminated water, soil and air. Outdoor physical activity initiatives included leading youth and those with mental health challenges on walks in parks, setting up hiking and snowshoeing trails along with equipment loans, and other ways of connecting with nature to improve mental and physical health. Food-related programs were incredibly diverse, connecting people to farming, gardening, sharing, preparing and eating together, and composting as ways of connecting with the life cycles of nourishment. Although impressed by the population focus with attention to equity (Indigenous, low-income, newcomers, youth) and community development character of CHC activities, we suggest ways in which other CHCs could address EDH in our time of global environmental change, to promote health and sustainability in CHC communities.