Healthy Lifestyle: Strengthening the Effectiveness of Lifestyle Approaches to Improve Health

Acknowledgments

This paper has been prepared in collaboration with an inter-sectoral "Lifestyle Working Group" comprised mainly of members of the Canadian Consortium of Health Promotion Research Centres and members of the Population and Public Health Branch of Health Canada.

Tariq Bhatti, Ph.D.	Director, Population Health Development Division Health Canada
Nancy Edwards, RN, Ph.D.	Associate Professor, School of Nursing Director, Community Health Research Unit University of Ottawa
C. James Frankish, Ph.D.	Acting Director and Assistant Professor Division of Preventive Medicine and Health Promotion Institute of Health Promotion Research University of British Columbia
Larisa Hausmanis, B.A.	Department of Psychology Dalhousie University
Marcia Hills, Ph.D.	Professor, School of Nursing Director, Community Health Promotion Coalition University of Victoria
John Horvath	Policy Analyst, Health Canada
Glenn Irwin, Ph.D.	Director, Population Health and Health Promotion Health Promotion and Programs Branch, Health Canada
Suzanne Jackson, Ph.D.	Coordinator Canadian Consortium for Health Promotion Research
Lynn Langille, M.A.	Research Consultant Atlantic Health Promotion Research Centre Dalhousie University
Renee Lyons, Ph.D.	Professor and Director Atlantic Health Promotion Research Centre Dalhousie University
Irving Rootman, Ph.D.	Director, Centre for Health Promotion University of Toronto
Miriam Stewart, Ph.D.	Professor, AHFMR Senior Scholar Director, Centre for Health Promotion Studies, University of Alberta

Document Preparation Process

Two meetings of the Lifestyles Working Group were held at Health Canada: one meeting in December, 1999, to draft the objectives of the project, followed by a two day meeting in February that included several members of the Consortium and Health Canada. Many drafts of this paper were prepared by the Atlantic Health Promotion Research Centre, Dalhousie University, and two were circulated to members of the Group for feedback. Two teleconference calls were held as well as email communication as the paper evolved.

It takes time for ideas to evolve, as well as evidence to be discovered, synthesized and examined for its relevance to policy and action. This paper was conceived mainly by volunteer effort in the midst of hectic schedules. Due to the limited time available to prepare this paper, we acknowledge the omission of useful human and print resources from our discussions and from this document. Moreover, the concepts and approaches suggested in this paper are in the "incubation" stages.

The issue of healthy lifestyles is an important one. As health budgets are squeezed, increased pressure is placed on individuals to live healthier lives. Policy makers have an opportunity to thoughtfully consider their leadership on this issue. Reducing tension among roles of personal responsibility (what I do), social responsibility (what we do, what I do for those around me), and the state (healthy environments, healthy public policy, reduction in social inequities) must play a key role. Clear goals and synchrony of effort toward these goals will result in more effective outcomes.