Creating a Local Community Picture to Inform Policy Development: A Journey towards a Healthy Community in Canada

Background: The Healthy Communities project involves priority setting and mobilization activities to build healthy public policy and to contribute to the creation of sustainable, supportive environments that promote healthy living. Purpose: The Community Picture phase identified key priorities and supported local needs across the following six priority areas: physical activity and recreation; injury prevention; healthy eating; tobacco use and exposure; substance and alcohol misuse; and mental health. Methods: Key strategies utilized included community assessment and consultation; partnership development; and information and knowledge exchange. A population health approach guided the analysis of quantitative (socio-demographics, health status data) and qualitative (academic/grey literature, best practices, key informant interviews, focus groups, document analysis, stories/testimonials) data. SWOT and PEST analyses illuminated internal and external factors impacting health. Results: Epidemiological data described the community's health status and revealed health disparities associated to age, sex, SES and neighbourhood. Low income and lack of transportation were persistently identified as barriers, affecting community members' opportunities and access to resources (sport/recreation programs; healthy food; home safety devices; smoking cessation aids, etc.). Resulting recommended actions included: Increasing recreation opportunities for low income individuals; Creating an environment that promotes safe active transportation; Increasing access to healthy food; Increasing smoke free public spaces; and Reducing stigma associated with mental health by increasing awareness and knowledge and addressing misconceptions. Conclusion: A participatory approach and community engagement principles ensured stakeholders were involved throughout the process and key priorities and areas for community-coordinated efforts were identified. Resulting recommended actions will inform future policy and program development.