Last November, a public meeting was held to determine community interest in developing a health network, and the answer was a resounding 鈥榶es.鈥�
Community health networks bring together people from wide-ranging backgrounds, roles and perspectives to take action on issues that impact health and well-being in their communities. In particular, they develop actions to address key factors (social determinants of health) that drive community health outcomes, such as economic status, social support, culture and lifestyles. Community health networks exist in many communities on Vancouver Island, and the Comox Valley Regional District is one of the last regions without a community health network.
鈥淭he only way we are going to solve challenges to our community is to work together in 鈥榗ommon unity鈥� to plan and implement new approaches which have the full support of all our citizens,鈥� said network supporter Jack Stevens, a retired teacher, former principal and pioneer of the community school movement.
鈥淎 community health network offers us the best option for the road ahead.鈥�
Since November, the local planning committee and a governance task group that volunteered at the first forum have been working on developing a vision, purpose, values, guiding principles and a structure for the network.
This work will be presented on March 14, and then participants will work together to identify and prioritize initial actions of the network.
The forum will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Florence Filberg Centre at 411 Anderton Ave. in Courtenay.
Any citizen of the CVRD who is interested in attending the forum can register at
For more information, contact cvcommunityhealthnetwork@gmail.com or visit facebook.com/cvchealthnetwork
