TheTyee.ca

Dr. Perry Kendall recently issued his annual report on the health of B.C. [see related story in the Tyee]. He has these top 10 recommendations for individuals that want to improve their own and their family's health:

1. Don't smoke.
2. Eat a balanced, healthy diet.
3. Remain physically active.
4. Drink alcohol responsibly.
5. Practice safe sex.
6. Use preventive services (such as immunizations and mammograms).
7. Use safety devices (seatbelts, lifejackets, smoke detectors and bicycle helmets).
8. Protect yourself and your children from the sun.
9. Learn basic first aid.
10. Adopt an attitude of lifelong learning.

And his top 10 for government:

1. Support healthy child development.
2. Make equal access to quality education a priority.
3. Create a healthy, diverse economy.
4. Provide supportive programs and policies to protect the disadvantaged.
5. Implement evidence-based programs to promote non-smoking, responsible alcohol use, regular physical activity, healthy eating and other healthy behaviours.
6. Continue to support and expand broad public health programs (such as universal childhood immunizations, food and water testing, and injury prevention programs).
7. Continue to support and expand programs that help citizens become wiser health consumers (such as the B.C. Nurse Line and accurate health information online).
8. Be committed to health research, analysis of trends and evaluation of programs, particularly for new policy directions.
9. Continue to build an evidence-based culture focused on appropriate health care services.
10. Create safer and healthier indoor and outdoor environments.