The Politics of a Healthy Neighbourhood – Blogger Walk

On April 28, 2009, the BC Alliance for Healthy Living and a group of local bloggers took a walk around the Fairview neighbourhood to discuss “The Politics of a Healthy Neighbourhood”. Just two weeks prior to the BC Provincial Election on May 12th, the walk was focused around why “healthy election” is an election issue.

A simple stroll around the Fairview area provided a backdrop for exploring the conditions necessary for a healthy community – outlined in BCAHL’s “Live Healthy, Vote Healthy” election toolkit. The healthy living issues discussed on the walk included: social inequities and inequalities, active transportation and recreation facilities, affordable childcare and early development programs, affordable fruits and vegetables, supportive and social housing, and tobacco-free spaces.

The route taken during the walk is highlighted in green on the map below:

View The Politics of a Healthy Neighbourhood – A Media Walk in a larger map

Prior to the walk, a couple of bloggers BlogHers Act Canada (sorry, chocolate and red wine was not included in the walk!) and Hummingbird604.com (it’s okay, you were there in spirit) – blogged about the upcoming BCAHL event and expressed their support and interest in the social issues in communities that affect health. Following the walk, blogger Dr. Beth Snow wrote (what were the three different blog post endings?) about her walk experience and post-walk reflections.If you missed the walk and want to better understand the issues discussed, you can read Dr. Beth Snow’s blog entry here and Capulet’s blog here. Also, check out a short video of the walk, courtesy of blogger Darren Barefoot, below or on the BC Healthy Living YouTube channel!

For more information and statistics for why these healthy living issues are important, see the list of external resources below:

• Ministry of Housing and Social Development of BC Employment and Assistance Rate Tables
• SPARC BC Resources and Publications
• City of Vancouver Non-Market Housing – Inventory
• Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre – Child Care Fee Surveys
• City of Vancouver Community Profiles
• TransLink Fares & Passes

If by this point of the page you think you know all about healthy neighbourhoods, rate your own neighbourhood here and find out how healthy it really is!

And be sure to stay connected with the BCAHL on Facebook and Twitter!