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The Four Pillars of Healthy Living
Aboriginal ActNow BC is designed to help close the health gap between Aboriginal peoples and other British Columbians, and buiilds on the four pillars of health: nutrition, tobacco cessation, healthy choices in pregnancy, and physical activity. Each is a key risk factor contributing to the most common chronic diseases in children, youth, adults and Elders, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Aboriginal ActNow BC supports healthy choices relating to four pillars of health that target chronic disease:
Nutrition – Healthy eating plays an important role in the prevention and control of chronic diseases. It is also a key determinant of human health and development throughout a person's life.
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NEW: First Nations, Métis and Inuit nutritional needs are now recognized by Health Canada in its new food guide. Click here to find out more
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Physical activity – Regular physical activity is important to prevention of chronic disease and premature death.
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Healthy choices in pregnancy – Making healthy choices in pregnancy can reduce chances of miscarriage, fetal and neonatal death, premature deliveries and sudden infant death syndrome.
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NEW: About 45 Pregnancy Outreach Programs (POP) in B.C. promote improved nutrition and healthy growth and development of infants. More than 30 per cent of participants are Aboriginal. Click BC Association of Pregnancy Outreach Programs for more.
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Tobacco use – Tobacco-related illnesses and diseases are urgent issues in First Nations communities, where smoking rates are more than double the rate of the rest of Canada.
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New: An estimated 800 Aboriginal people gathered in Vancouver last year for the Honour Your Health Challenge to learn how to take the lead in helping stop tobacco misuse in their home communities. Read about the program here
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