Health
VICTORIA - Can your diet prevent cancer? Want your kids to have more vegetables? Are seeds safe to eat if you have diverticulosis? Answers from dietitians are now just an email away.
British Columbians are now able to email HealthLink BC's Dietitian Services any nutrition or food-related concerns they have as part of the Province's commitment to make the healthy option the easy option.
Dietitians at HealthLink BC provide nutritional information for everyone, regardless of age. This includes advice to help prevent or manage chronic disease.
Today's announcement follows the expanded hours of operation for HealthLink BC's Dietitian Services that was announced on May 31, 2011. Telephone access to registered dietitians through 8-1-1 is available between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday to Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays. This was done to make the service more accommodating to working families.
Ten new registered dietitians have been hired, bringing the staff total up to 30. New dietitians will be available to support people in managing their chronic conditions, as well as answering questions on such topics as baby nutrition, allergies and healthy eating in general.
Improving access to dietitians with additional hours - and now an email service - is a part of Healthy Families BC approach to support British Columbians in managing their own health and reducing chronic disease.
A strengthened provincial strategy and ongoing investment in prevention can improve the health of British Columbians and potentially avoid up to $2 billion in yearly health-care costs, according to a report released in September 2010 by provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall. Obesity alone costs up to $830 million a year to the economy.
Email a dietitian at HealthLink BC by visiting: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/dietitian/ead/disclaimer.stm
Quick Facts:
- The dietitian phone line receives around 19,000 calls a year.
- To speak with a dietitian anywhere in B.C., call 8-1-1.
- TTY (deaf and hearing-impaired), call 7-1-1.
- Translation services are available in over 130 languages.
Learn More:
For more information on -
HealthLink BC: http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/dietitian/
Healthy Families BC: www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca
Contact:
Ministry of Health communications
250 952-1887 (media line)
