A study released in Souris today indicates that 75 percent of Eastern Kings residents are trying to make positive lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of getting heart disease or cancer.
The study found that the majority of people in Eastern Kings are aware of the relationship between lifestyle, environment and health. Many people have already made changes in the way they live, and believe they could further improve their health through more healthy lifestyle choices in their communities. One quarter of the population is not attempting to prevent illness through lifestyle choices.
The study was conducted by the Eastern Kings Heart Health project in conjunction with the Diabetes Committee of Eastern Kings and the Cancer Research Council.
458 Eastern Kings residents were asked about their health awareness, attitudes and behaviours with regards to the major lifestyle risk behaviours for heart disease and cancer: smoking, high fat and low fibre food, inactivity, and stress.
Health and Social Services Minister Mildred Dover said the study is the first of its kind to be done on the Island. "We now have a comprehensive picture of an entire region which includes information on peoples' health awareness, attitudes and readiness to change. These findings will be very helpful to us as we work with the community to plan programs and policies for the Eastern Kings Health Region."
Minister Dover said that community attitudes, peer support and access to appropriate programs at the community level are highly influential in effecting individual attitude and behaviour change.
"The study confirms what others are saying to us, that awareness and information about health is not enough. People also want access to skills, services and supports which enable them to turn their knowledge about risk behaviours into action," she said.
96% of respondents agree that people should be protected from second hand smoke, and a large majority would support smoke-free stores, restaurants, and workplaces. 69% or more said that they would support more lower fat food choices in local restaurants and grocery stores. 78% said they would support more recreational facilities in the area. 81% said that they would support blood pressure and cholesterol checks in public places.
Eastern Kings Health regional manager Susan Birt said the findings have provided the region with several targets of opportunity to plan prevention and promotion programs. "For example, there is a large base of support to reduce smoking in public places and the majority of respondents believe that quitting smoking, eating lower fat food and being more physically active would help to improve their health and well-being a lot or a great deal," she said. The Region has assigned a health promotion nurse to act as liaison between the Heart Health project and community volunteers.
Minister Dover said the findings will be acted upon during the next three years and into the future by using the data to develop awareness, action and policy.
"Heart disease and cancer are the two leading causes of death in Prince Edward Island. By helping people to change lifestyle behaviours over the next two to three years, we hope to decrease cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the Region over the next two decades," she said.
The study findings provide baseline data which will be reevaluated in the year 2000.
A Healthy Communities in Action group of interested community members in the region is working with project staff to address risk behaviours for heart disease through volunteer working groups.
The group has recently developed a one-year action plan. Smoking cessation and nutrition programs will be introduced in the new year in association with the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The nutrition committee is planning grocery store tours to increase awareness of high fat versus lower fat food. Heart Smart cooking courses will be offered. Indoor walking clubs have already been established in St. Margaret's, St. Peter's and Souris. The group has partnered with local community newspapers to provide information to the community to increase awareness of healthy lifestyle choices and local programs.
The Eastern Kings Heart Health project is a five-year community based research-action project to study how communities build sustainable community action for health promotion. The project partners include PEI Heart Health, the Department of Health and Social Services, the Eastern Kings Health Region, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of PEI. The project is funded by Health Canada and the PEI Health System.