Centre for Health Promotion Research (CHPR)

Today I was referred to a video on literacy uploaded by the BC Government on YouTube.

Before you might think “oh no, another boring government video” (I admit I did), I found myself actually liking the video:

• It contains a single, yet clear, message – to build literacy, start kids on something they love to read, even if it is a comic book. From a social marketing perspective, a simple and clear message is better than multiple, complex messages.
• The plot is simple. The kid in the video tries to read something (War and Peace) and is frustrated by it. Kids chucks War and Peace to the side. Enter the comic book. Kid lights up.
• The video uses a simple creative strategy to emphasize its message. While the kid tries to read War and Peace, the video is in black and white, but as soon as the comic book is introduced, the video changes to colour.

The message communicated by the video made me think about my childhood and how true the video’s message really is. In primary school, I did not particularly enjoy the story books that the teacher read to the class and found myself daydreaming instead. Because of this, I only borrowed books for silent reading in class (because I had to, not because I wanted to). Of course, I only borrowed story books because that’s all I thought existed. Until I discovered non-fiction books for learning science, etc. That’s when I started borrowing books like crazy, thinking that in one summer I could learn everything there was to learn in the world! (I don’t think this anymore!)

As an adult, I still prefer non-fiction over fiction but I’ve also discovered the kinds of fiction and authors that I do like. It is about discovering what you love to read rather than following a formula (read this, not that).

I have sometimes wondered how many adults have actually read War and Peace when they weren’t required to do so for an English class. The length of the book is daunting, but I’d like to give it a try someday…

What books did you enjoy as a kid? What about now?

I am pleased to find out that Canada’s Economic Action Plan (CEAP) also includes an environmental and social purpose, i.e., a healthy environment.

As part of CEAP, the ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative (ecoEII) will “support energy technology innovation to produce and use energy in a more clean and efficient way” by providing $97 million over two years for research, development, and demonstration projects that advance Canadian leadership in clean energy technologies. Those who are interested may submit a Letter of Expression of Interest to address one of five priority areas: Energy Efficiency; Clean Electricity and Renewables; Bioenergy; Electrification of Transportation; and Unconventional Oil and Gas.

I am pleased about this opportunity because it reflects two important principles for society:

• EcoEII provides an opportunity rather than a punishment such as fines. Fines seem to have a place in this imperfect world but are collected after the fact – the deed and damage are already done.
• The ecoEII links economic goals with environmental and social goals, which are all connected. The approach reflects a long-term vision of sustainability rather than a short-term priority of profits. A short-term focus on profits tends to erode the ‘supply chain’ in terms of the human capital and the resources that support production (and thereby profits).

I don’t think ecoEII will be a magic bullet for our economy, environment, and society. But I do believe that it’s a step in the right direction. Every action counts.

The concept of the ‘social determinants of health’ continues to make its way into popular media – it’s on YouTube! On August 5, 2011, thecanadianfacts.org uploaded a video that explains that our health is primarily affected by our living conditions, not medical treatments or lifestyle choices.

This is not the first YouTube video on the social determinants of health. However, the effort continues the commitment to share knowledge with the general public. It is not special knowledge that should be exclusive to public health workers. The reality is that public health workers on their own can’t improve people’s health (nor should public health workers do it on their own).

While the video introduces the social determinants of health, details can be found in the free report The Social Determinants of Health: The Canadian Facts. I won’t go into the facts here, but I will emphasize six actions that anyone (i.e., including public health workers) can take to improve health for all:

• Ask your elected representative in government: what is being done to address these issues?
• Support candidates of political parties that are receptive to the social determinants of health concept.
• Raise these issues with agencies, organizations, and institutions whose mandates include promoting health and preventing illness.
• Ask public health units, disease associations (e.g., Heart and Stroke Foundation, etc.), and health care organizations (e.g., hospitals, professional associations): what is being done to educate Canadians about the social determinants of health and promote public policy action?
• Join and/or support organizations that work to strengthen the social determinants of health.
• Spread the word – share the video, share the report, talk about it with people you know (e.g., family, friends, co-workers, classmates, etc.).

We all want better living conditions and good health. How will you help spread the word and improve health for all?

Health Nexus and 3M Canada are calling for nominations for the 3M Health Leadership Award that “recognizes an outstanding community leader that has had an impact on the health of their community by addressing at least one of the social determinants of health.” This is a great opportunity to recognize inspiring individuals who have done much to improve the health of their community.

Please ensure that you read the Eligibility Criteria before you nominate someone, e.g., the individual is affiliated with an organization that is outside of the formal health care field, etc.

The deadline for nominations is September 15, 2011.

Some people would answer ‘no’ but I hope that ‘doing good’ does become a social movement.

The concept of doing good is not new. In Ancient Greece, Aesop said “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Nor is the idea passé. With the internet and increasing use of social media, people are now able to more easily and widely share their experiences and inspire others to do good as well. People are getting tired of hearing bad news.

In the U.K., Action for Happiness is “a movement of people committed to building a happier society. We want to see a fundamentally different way of life where people care less about what they can get for themselves and more about the happiness of others.” Their comprehensive website blends science and humanity to encourage people to create a happier society for all. Doing things for others is identified as one of 10 keys to happier living.

Yesterday, I learned that our local paper the Vancouver Sun is asking people to let them know about ‘positive stories’ online that they could feature.

This morning, I saw an ad on the side of the bus for People for Good.ca. I was delighted to learn that things were happening here in Canada too. The goal of People for Good is “to make the world a better place, one good deed at a time.” Their website features videos of five Canadians who documented their experiences with doing one good deed per day for seven days, as well as an area where you can submit your own ideas for doing good.

These three examples are only the tip of the iceberg. People do good all the time, sometimes in a systematic or planned manner and sometimes not.

From a population and public health perspective, doing good can help build a sense of community and social capital. At a personal level, while it’s nice to get warm fuzzy feelings by reading about what other people have done, it’s much better do some good yourself and be part of a social movement.

There’s always room in this world for more good.