Government of Canada Supports Girls' Health and Wellness Project

A diverse partnership to improve the health outcomes of girls 10 to 18 years

OTTAWA, July 23, 2015 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health announced support for the Girls' Health and Wellness project to encourage active and healthy living among girls ages 10 to 18 years.

Led by Girls Action Foundation (GAF), this project aims to improve the health of girls through the development of programming and resources that address common risk factors, such as unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and tobacco use. Through this project pre-adolescent and adolescent girls will be empowered to protect their health from risk factors that can lead to chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.  

The Girls' Health and Wellness project is an example of how the Government of Canada and partners are working together to improve the health and well-being of young Canadians.

Funding partners include: Foundation Lise Watier, The Canadian Women's Foundation, Green Shield Canada Foundation, Telus, Foundation of Greater Montreal, George Weston Ltd., and the George Hogg Family Foundation. Additional partners will play a pivotal role to expand the reach of this project so it may be delivered in communities across Canada.

Quick Facts

• This is one of many projects funded through the Government of Canada's Multi-Sectoral Partnership Approach to Promote Healthy Living and Prevent Chronic Disease. Each year approximately $20 million is invested towards projects that address the common risk factors for chronic disease, including unhealthy eating, physical inactivity, and tobacco use. Federal investments are matched by others so that we reach more Canadians.
• The Public Health Agency of Canada is investing $760,000 while project partners are contributing $910,000 for a total investment of $1,725,509 towards this project over five years.
• Evidence shows that increasing rates of smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity among girls puts them at increased risk for developing some cancers and heart disease.
• We all have a role to play to promote healthy weights and help our children and youth have the healthiest possible start in life.

Quotes

"We want to raise awareness among young girls that smoking tobacco or being physically inactive can put their overall health at risk. By investing in the Girls' Health and Wellness project we hope to empower girls to make healthy lifestyle choices so they can enjoy the benefits of good health and at the same time avoid developing a chronic disease in the future."   
The Honourable Rona Ambrose
Minister of Health

"Girls Action Foundation is proud to partner with the Government of Canada on this project that aims to encourage girls to lead an active and healthy lifestyle. This initiative, built on evidence-based promising practices in girls' health promotion, will engage partners in national, provincial, and local organizations in developing a health promotion program to support girls' health and wellness. It will reach girls between 10 to 18 years of age participating in community-based programming across Canada and will support girls' programmers, service providers, policy makers, and education professionals to implement effective prevention and health promotion initiatives for girls.  The long-term intended impact of the project is for girls to enjoy the benefits of health and well-being in adolescence and maintain good health into adulthood."
Saman Ahsan, Executive Director
Girls Action Foundation

SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada

Michael Bolkenius, Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Federal Minister of Health, [phone]; Media Relations, Public Health Agency of Canada, [phone]