The Province is providing a grant of $500,000 to the interCultural Online Health Network (iCON), which offers health information to multicultural and Aboriginal families throughout B.C.

iCON, a program established by the University of British Columbia's faculty of medicine eHealth Strategy Office, promotes partnership and communication between community members and health professionals by hosting various public-health workshops and forums throughout the year.

These multicultural workshops and forums focus on chronic disease prevention and management. They also provide venues for discussion around evaluation of best practices in health care and innovation.

The Province is helping British Columbians make the healthier choice the easier choice with Healthy Families BC. The $68.7-million health promotion and prevention strategy will see the implementation of a variety of healthy-living measures to improve health and promote wellness in every part B.C.

Quotes:

Michael de Jong, Minister of Health -

"We are giving British Columbians the supports they need, through Healthy Families BC, to manage their own health and help reduce chronic disease."

"I am pleased to support iCON as they work to increase access to culturally relevant health information online and in community-based settings across the province."

Dr. Kendall Ho, director, eHealth Strategy Office -

"The UBC faculty of medicine eHealth Strategy Office is honoured and delighted to receive this funding and the opportunity to collaborate with the Ministry of Health - together with our community organizations, health authorities and our interdisciplinary health professionals - to partner with our multi-cultural community members to contribute to healthy living, illnesses prevention and chronic diseases management to attain optimal wellness in all parts of B.C."

Quick Facts:

• To date, iCON has hosted over a dozen interactive public education forums reaching Aboriginal and multicultural families throughout the province.
• Chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease are the largest causes of disability and death in British Columbia.
• Chronic diseases are also the largest contributor to the health-care cost burden in B.C.
• Evidence shows that if we are physically active, achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, enjoy a healthy diet and refrain from smoking, we can reduce our risk factors for most chronic diseases by up to 80 per cent.

Learn More:

To learn more about iCON and the various public health forums, please visit: www.iconproject.org

For tips and tricks to stay healthy, visit: www.healthyfamiliesBC.ca

Contact:

Ryan Jabs
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)