Healthy Futures webinar series: supporting vibrant, healthy communities through policy

Municipalities can improve the quality of life and wellbeing of their residents by using policy to create bright, vibrant communities where healthy choices are easier.

AUMA, RMA, and the Alberta Policy Coalition for Chronic Disease Prevention (APCCP) are pleased to host a series of educational webinars on using policy to support community health and wellbeing. Policy topics explored during this series will include smoking and vaping, active travel, healthy eating, and a health-in-all-policies approach.

First webinar: February 13

The first webinar, Smoking and vaping: policy options for municipalities, takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, February 13 (click the link to register). The rates of youth vaping have skyrocketed in recent years, and municipalities can help to curb teen vaping by restricting public consumption.

A growing number of Alberta municipalities are passing bylaws to make public places smoke-free and vape-free, such as parks, public events, and recreation amenities. If implemented properly, these bylaws are well-accepted and require minimal enforcement and administration. In this webinar, Action on Smoking and Health will provide municipalities with a number of options, tools, and resources to help reduce public exposure to smoking and vaping.

Second webinar: March 13

The second webinar, Health in all policies: the importance and impact of a health-in-all-policies approach for municipalities, takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. on Friday, March 13 (click on the link to register). Health starts where we live, learn, work, and play. Consequently, municipalities have a very important role to play in supporting citizens' health and wellbeing. The Alberta Public Health Association will present on how municipalities can develop and implement a health-in-all-policies approach.

This approach integrates and articulates health considerations into policymaking across sectors to improve the health of everyone in the community and recognizes that health is created by a multitude of factors beyond healthcare. Please join us to learn more about the what, why, and how of the health-in-all-policies approach.

Save the date for upcoming webinars

You can also save the date for the next two webinars in the series:

• Active Travel – Wednesday, April 8, from 2-3 p.m.
• Healthy Eating – Friday, May 8, from 2-3 p.m.

Keep an on eye on the Digest, as the links to registration for these webinars will be sent out in February!