Sponsor Spotlight: Partners in Health and Sport

Physicians in Nova Scotia recognize the positive link between an active lifestyle and improved health benefits. Physical activity and proper nutrition are the cornerstones of a healthy lifestyle for everyone, regardless of age.

Nova Scotia has some of the highest rates of chronic diseases in Canada and Doctors Nova Scotia is committed to helping Nova Scotians achieve better health. Physical activity and proper nutrition can improve health and help prevent, delay or alleviate diseases and conditions like cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, stroke, hypertension, osteoporosis and depression.

“Our partnership with Sport Nova Scotia is a natural fit,” said Dr. John Chiasson, President of Doctors Nova Scotia. “As health-care professionals, we understand the benefit sport and physical activity has on overall health. Joining forces with specialists in sport makes perfect sense.”

Being healthy means more than just avoiding visits to your doctor. It means adopting a lifestyle built on physical activity and proper nutrition.

“Doctors Nova Scotia has made health promotion a priority and is committed to helping our patients and communities live healthier more active lives,” said Dr. Chiasson.
In 2001 Doctors Nova Scotia strategically partnered with Sport Nova Scotia, the first of its kind in Canada. Doctors Nova Scotia is now considered a leader in health promotion, especially among physician groups across the country. Much of that success can be attributed to the partnership shared between the two organizations.

Doctors Nova Scotia has continued to expand its role in health promotion through sponsoring numerous community sporting events. The association also sponsors the Doctors Nova Scotia Youth Run at the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon in Halifax and the Doctors Nova Scotia Youth Run at the Cape Breton Fiddler’s Run. The organization’s most successful health promotion initiative is undeniably the Doctors Nova Scotia Youth Running for Fun program. The free, school-based running program had more than 15,700 kids running in 2010-11. The program includes a full-time running program coordinator who works with schools to set up individualized running programs, support the volunteer coaches and most importantly run with and motivate the kids.

The association is proud of the success of these programs but acknowledges that there is more to be done.
“Rising obesity and chronic illness rates means we have to keep the momentum strong,” said Dr. Chiasson. “The key is to maintain strong partnerships with groups like Sport Nova Scotia, so that together we can work towards the same goal - helping more and more Nova Scotians make the choice to lead healthy and active lives.”

After all, being healthy starts long before a visit to the doctor’s office.