| Nov 24, 2011


It is unusual to hear doctors talk about the limitations of their profession.

Dr. Andrew Pipe is well known for his work developing smoking cessation programs, for his role as head of cardiac prevention and rehabilitation at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, and for work with elite athletes in the Commonwealth and Olympic games.

As part of the message he delivered as the keynote speaker at a Recreation Summit in Smiths Falls last week, he talked about the relative effects of social factors on levels of health as compared to the impact of the health care system.

From a historical perspective, he pointed out that as the result of social factors, including improvements in hygiene and safe drinking water, tuberculosis rates in North America began falling 100 years before there were any treatments for the disease.

“If we had perfect health care - which we can’t afford - but even if somehow we were able to spend the money, we would be able to postpone 8% of deaths. However if we deal with risk factors such as inactivity and poor diets, we can postpone 33% of deaths.

But, he said, our society has become what he termed “hypo-active”. “Two thirds of Canadian children are not active enough for normal growth and development, and two thirds of Canadians are not active enough to derive health benefits from their activity,” he said. “The typical Canadian is less active than a fire hydrant.”

And activity levels in some rural areas are lower than in urban Canada.

For example, Pipe pointed out that in the City of Ottawa the annual death rate from heart disease, which is the number one cause of death in Canada, is 186.5 per 100,000 people. In Eastern Ontario that number is 247.6. At the same time 18.8% of the people in Eastern Ontario are obese and 48.7% are inactive, while in Ottawa the obesity rate is 12.8% and the inactivity rate is 42.4%.

Over 100 people participated in the Recreation Summit. They were a cross section of the population and included high school students, educators, health and social service workers, municipal officials and others. Under the umbrella of the Healthy Communities Partnership (HCP) of Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, they are committed to promoting health in six areas, including: physical activity /sport /recreation; mental well-being /resiliency; healthy eating habits; tobacco use /exposure and prevention; substance /alcohol misuse prevention and injury prevention.

Lois Dewey, the co-ordinator of the HCP and organiser of the summit, said she was pleased with the results. “We made a number of new partnerships here; it was a wonderful success.”

Dr. Peter Bell and program co-ordinator Laura Baldwin from the Sharbot Lake Family Health Team were among the participants at the summit.

“It was a really good event,” said Dr. Bell, “to put together such a group from across the region all committed to creating opportunities for physical activity. It was quite something.”

The Sharbot Lake Family Health Team has been developing fitness programs and these efforts will be ramped up in the coming months. By partnering with Michelle Greenstreet of Fit Plus Gym, a seniors fitness program is now being offered at the gym and at the Crow Lake Community Centre. Michelle is also available for fitness consultations with seniors.

In partnership with Northern Connections Learning Centre, a Physical Activity Directory for Seniors has been developed.

“We are also developing a walking programme and are starting to work with other groups on an activity day for next spring,” said Laura Baldwin.

The important thing to remember, according to Peter Bell, is that people sometimes need help getting motivated.

“It is not enough to provide information about the health benefits of a more active lifestyle. It is really all about getting people motivated. That’s where the effort lies,” he said.

 

 

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