Miramichi Blog

A volunteer medical services team from The Moncton Hospital will once again be tending to the health care needs of concert goers at the upcoming Magnetic Hill Music Festival's AC/DC concert tomorrow on August 6.

"We are pleased to continue our collaboration with the City of Moncton in providing medical services during the Magnetic Hill concert series," says Donald J. Peters, President and CEO of Regional Health Authority B.

He says the city's construction of a permanent primary emergency building has improved the quality of care by providing a spacious, less noisy, dry and well equipped space for medical treatment and equipment. "We are very proud of the 140 dedicated volunteers that provide this service."

Medical services at the concert will include the primary emergency medical building and two secondary medical tents positioned on the perimeter of the concert site. The tents will be easily identifiable with flags bearing a red cross. During the concert, a team of easy to identify first-aide professionals and paramedics will patrol the crowd to help fans with their minor injuries or illnesses. An ambulance fleet and large gator carts that can transport stretchers will also be available if required.

"Our goal is to treat as many people as possible at the concert site to avoid overcrowding at The Moncton Hospital's critical care and trauma departments with minor injuries," says Carole Morey, Program Administrative Director Emergency, Neuro/Rehab and Internal Medicine for The Moncton Hospital.

"One of the most common types of health related illnesses that we see is related to the hot and humid weather and as a result mist tents will be available for concert goers to cool off." She says the mist tent provides a continuous cool, fine mist that lowers the skin and body temperature instantly when someone walks through the tent. "The mist tents provided at the recent Bon Jovi and other previous mega concerts were extremely helpful and aided in reducing health related illnesses."

"We want to ensure everyone stays safe and healthy while they enjoy themselves," says Dr. Gary Duguay, emergency medicine doctor and medical director for the planning committee. To make sure everyone has a positive experience, he has these helpful tips:

Monitor the weather forecast closely and plan accordingly, but remember this is the Maritimes and the weather can change quickly and drastically. Prepare for both hot and cooler temperatures, and rainy weather. Bring layers of clothing that provide good insulation and keeps moisture away from the skin.

Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Dehydration can occur quickly in hot and humid weather.

Each concert goer can bring a 1 Litre bottle of water into the concert but remember to bring fluids to drink while waiting for the gates to open.

Protect yourself from sun exposure by wearing a hat, sunglasses and applying sunscreen regularly. Wear light-coloured, breathable clothing and move into the shade when possible.

Wear comfortable shoes as concert goers will be walking and standing for long periods of time. Also consider the terrain you will be walking on at the site.

Use common sense, listen to your body and respond appropriately. Drink responsibly and prepare for a safe ride home.

Remember to assign a meeting spot with your group early on to ensure no one gets lost during or at the end of the concert.

Remember to eat to avoid becoming weak.

And most importantly have fun!

Labels: culture, event, festivals, health, wellness

The people of the Miramichi region are invited to Healthy Living 2009 happening this week.

Healthy Living 2009 is a wellness event being organized by the Regional Health Authority B-Miramichi Zone and will feature motivational speaker and well-known psychologist Dr. Michael Vallis, PhD, along with an expo component featuring up to 40 displays of chronic disease prevention and management information.

Thursday, May 7 the expo will be open from 4pm-7pm with the Dr. Vallis presentation beginning at 7pm.

"The Miramichi region has some of the highest rates in overweight, obesity, cancer, diabetes and heart-disease," says Fonda Kazi, Vice President of Community Care of Regional Health Authority B. "But this region also has some of the most caring people country-wide and we care about ourselves and each other. Having a wellness expo will give people the chance to collect information, learn what they need to do to change lifestyles and come away with the desire to lead healthy, active lives."

Helping people learn this message will be registered clinical psychologist Dr. Michael Vallis, PhD. Dr. Michael Vallis is employed at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, where he practices health psychology and also is the Associate Professor in Psychiatry and Adjunct Professor in Psychology with Dalhousie University. He is described as an advocate, mentor and supporter of students. In 2007, he received the Clinical Community Recognition Award (CCRA).

Dr. Vallis positively affects the lives of clients and community members through individual and group counseling, public lecturing and an extensive research program. He recently opened the Behavior Change Institute within the Capital District Health Authority in Nova Scotia.

While at Healthy Living 2009, his presentation entitled, "So You Think You Can Dance ... Walking the Walk of Wellness, " will speak on the importance of self-management of chronic disease. His belief is that "lifestyle is twice as effective as medication."

"Dr. Vallis really gets to the heart of the matter when it comes to prevention and management of chronic disease and the choice to live healthier lifestyles. We are excited to be able to organize this event and bring him to speak to the people of this region."

Along with Dr. Vallis's presentation, the expo will feature more than 40 displays of health promotion information on topics ranging from Diabetes to Cancer, smoking cessation to Alzheimer's. Attendees will be able to visit displays of the Arthritis Society, VON, Baby-Friendly Initiative, Mental Health, Sexual Health, healthy eating, physical activity, physiotherapy, in-home rehabilitation, early language services and much, much more.

This event is a three-part event where it will be open to healthcare professionals; general public and workplace wellness committees at different times. It is made possible with financial support from the Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport. Anyone wanting more information on this event can call Clarissa Harris at (506) 623-3273.

Labels: event, health, Miramichi, wellness

Women can expect another great line-up of speakers for the fourth annual Day for Women conference scheduled for Thursday, March 5, 2009 in Miramichi. The conference organized by the Women's Wellness Program of the Miramichi Regional Hospital celebrates International Women's Day.

This year's conference will feature keynote speaker Kathleen Cooper, an environmental law researcher from Toronto who will present "All in a Day - One Woman's Choices for Self, Family and Community." Other speakers include representatives from the Canadian Cancer Society who will speak about the "Myths and Truths of Cancer" and the NB Heart Centre that will present the latest information about heart disease. Miramichier Paula Foley will also give a presentation about empowerment titled "Reclaiming Ourselves". The day will end with a demonstration from Yoga instructor Charlene Pearce.

The annual conference provides women an opportunity to be educated on women's issues and listen to informative presentations. The Day for Women will be held in the Highland Theatre at the Miramichi Regional Hospital. Attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item or a personal hygiene product. All items will be donated to the Miramichi Food Bank and the Miramichi Emergency Centre for Women. For more information or to register please call 623-6136.

Labels: Miramichi, wellness, women

Talk with Me/Parle-Moi program holding family activity for Literacy

The Miramichi Talk with Me/Parle Moi program and the Newcastle Public Library are celebrating Family Literacy Day. On Tuesday, January 27, 2009, 3-5 p.m, the Newcastle Public Library will host literacy focused songs, story time, rhymes and activities for the whole family. A colouring contest will also be held during this time and judged at 4:30pm, with winners announced at 5pm.

Families are invited to return at 7pm to the Newcastle Public Library for a Slumber Party with Librarian Catherine Reid. From 7pm-8pm there will be sleeping bag races and pass the pillow games. Families will also be able to create a star mobile and finish off the evening with a snack and story.

Parle Moi/Talk with Me is a program of the Extra Mural Program's Early Language Services. The program's mandate is working with families who have children aged birth to 5 years old. The program and the Newcastle Public Library are partners in literacy, encouraging children and families to read together.

Labels: health, program, wellness, youth

World Breastfeeding Week to be celebrated

Miramichi's Baby Friendly Committee in partnership with the VON Healthy Baby and Me program, Family Resource Centres, and Mommies and Tummies will be celebrating World Breastfeeding Week during the first week of October through various activities both in hospital and the community. Events planned include participation in the International Quintessence Breastfeeding Challenge, an information display, and a gift basket donated to a new mother who has initiated breastfeeding.

The International Quintessence Breastfeeding Challenge will be held on Saturday, October 11 at 10:30 a.m., at the Miramichi Atlantic Superstore's Community Room for all breastfeeding mothers in the Miramichi region. The challenge will record the most children being breastfed simultaneously at 11 a.m. (local time) across Canada and the United States. Refreshments and door prizes will be available. For more information about this event, women are encouraged to call the VON Healthy Baby and Me program at 773-7005 or Mommies and Tummies at 622-1524.

An information display will also be available in the lobby of the Miramichi Regional Hospital from October 8-10. The display will include information about the importance and benefits of breastfeeding as well as community support information. Gold ribbons will be available at the display and individuals will be encouraged to wear the gold ribbon signifying breastfeeding as the golden standard as the ideal for exclusive and continued breastfeeding.

A new mother who has initiated breastfeeding with her newborn will also be recognized. All mothers of newborns whom are born during World Breastfeeding Week and initiate breastfeeding will have their names entered into a draw to win a gift basket. The basket will be presented at the end of the week.

Research has shown that exclusive and sustained breastfeeding provides a biologically efficient system that gives nutritional, immunological, and emotional nutrition for normal growth and development during the first year and beyond of a child's life. Breast milk also contains antibodies and other immune factors that help babies fight off illness more effectively.

The Miramichi Regional Hospital and Miramichi Public Health have been working to become a designated World Health Organization (WHO)/UNICEF Baby- Friendly organization.

The Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) is an international ten-step program established in 1992 by World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF to promote, support and protect breastfeeding worldwide in hospitals and in the community. Miramichi's Baby-Friendly committee has been working with its community partners such as the First Nations communities to meet the required Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.

Labels: health, hospital, Miramichi, wellness, women

Wellness Phone line launches for Miramichi region

A new service is being launched to help bring wellness information to the people of the Miramichi region.

The Miramichi Wellness Presentation Request Line is a service for members of the community, organizations, church groups and workplaces. People can now call the Wellness Presentation Line to request presentations on a variety of health and wellness related topics given by qualified health-care professionals in our region.

“We have many groups in our area who would like to have presentations on wellness-related topics, but they sometimes do not know where to go,” says Clarissa Harris, community health promotion coordinator for the Miramichi Regional Health Authority.

“Community Health Promotion is helping people enable themselves to have control over their own health and to improve their own health by making good lifestyle choices with the information they have,” Harris says.

“Many people in our community do not have the chance to receive information to help them make lifestyle choices until they realize there may be a problem and they have to seek help. By providing this service, we are giving our community the chance to meet with health-care professionals to receive proactive information which may help prevent a condition in the future.”

For example, a presentation for a dietician on reading labels to a group may help an individual understand why it is important to keep sodium, fat and cholesterol levels down. As well, a presentation about women’s wellness may encourage women to have a well-women check-up sooner rather than later.

“These are proactive approaches to your own health,” Harris adds.

The Miramichi Wellness Presentation Request line is now in place and can be reached by calling 623-3295. A list of topics is available and can be found at www.rha7.ca.

“We have brought our health-care professionals together to bring the topics of wellness to you. We have nurses, nurse practitioners and dieticians who can present on the importance of pap tests, healthy blood pressures, addiction services, fussy eaters, healthy eating or school nutrition. There are many topics to choose from.”

“We are pleased to bring this service to the people of our region,” says Vice President of Professional Services Marilyn Underhill. “We realize the importance of giving our community the information it needs to make good choices about their health and wellness. We want nothing more than a healthy community.”

Labels: health, hospital, wellness

Mango to offer final session September 8

Our community’s Mango program is offering the final session of its popular pedometer program, Stepping Out with Mango, starting the week of September 8. To register yourself or your workplace, call 627-7564. Interested participants can register at a community location or sign up with their workplace. Mango is encouraging anyone who ever participated in the program since 2006 to return with their pedometer and take part in this last session.

In existence for two years, Stepping Out with Mango is a 12-week program which has been offered to members of the public and workplaces. The program is designed to help people increase their daily physical activity. Each participant gets a pedometer- a tiny instrument that counts every step the person takes. At the end of the day, participants will record the number of steps they took. Each week they will be able to set new goals for themselves and gradually try to increase their daily steps over the 12-week period.

In addition to wearing the pedometer, participants also attend four 30-minute group support meetings facilitated by a trained program leader. In these meetings, the group will be encouraged to determine weekly goals and progress will be shared. Participants will receive tips on how to be more active and ways to increase their steps. Participants also have the benefit of a nutritional session with a registered dietitian.

When Mango first launched Stepping Out with Mango in September 2008, they put in place a two-year plan to offer the program seven times throughout that time frame in the communities around our region and in workplaces. Mango’s goal was to gather at least 1,200 participants throughout the communities and to offer sessions in 10 workplaces.

Those numbers were surpassed as the Stepping Out with Mango program has seen 1,683 people to date put on a pedometer and get stepping with the program. Also, 59 workplaces have taken advantage of the program and offered it as a workplace wellness tool in their place of employment.

Mango purchased the Stepping Out program from Vitality Moncton. The City of Moncton offers this program to its citizens as well. Mango was looking for a walking program to offer the residents of this region. This program is beneficial to help the public to begin a walking program, maintain what they are doing, or increase their physical activity.

Mango is committed to fighting overweight and obesity in the Miramichi region by offering initiatives dedicated to increasing physical activity levels and encouraging healthy eating to the residents of the region.

Labels: health, Mango, wellness

Chen Style Tai Chi Workshop
April 21-25, 2008
Presented by Dr. Bob Bacher
Chen Taiji International ♦ www.taichivacations.com
In celebration of “World Tai Chi & Qigong Day - www.worldtaichday.org
“Experience Tai Chi’s wonderful benefits for Health, Longevity, and Inner Peace!”

In this workshop you will learn:
‣Tai Chi Principles and Theory
‣Stillness Standing Meditation
‣Joint Loosening Exercises
‣Silk Reeling Power Training
‣Using Tai Chi to Heal & Prevent Injuries
‣Chen Style Tai Chi Form
‣Push Hands Partner Training
‣Tai Chi Principles in Daily Life
‣Special Relaxation Techniques
‣Tai Chi Spinal Stretch
‣Qigong Training

• Open to everyone regardless of age, physical ability, or previous Tai Chi training.
• Martial Artists, Dancers, Yoga enthusiasts, Healing Professionals, & Movement Therapists Welcome!
• Bring your friends, family, co-workers, and especially children!

When: April 21-25, 2008
Where: Douglastown Recreation Center – Classes: 12-2pm – 2-4pm – 7-9pm
Cost: $25.oo (this gives you the opportunity to attend all classes during the week)
Registration & Information: City Hall- Community Wellness & Recreation Department no later than April 18th.
(141 Henry St. Miramichi, NB. 623-2300 - 8.30am – 12 & 12.30pm – 4.30pm

Dr. Bob Bacher is a practicing Chiropractor with nearly 30 years clinical experience in the US, Europe, Asia, and Central America. He specializes in Chiropractic Spinal Care, Nutritional and Dietary Planning, Stress Management, and Holistic Lifestyle Counseling.

Dr. Bacher is a 20th generation lineage representative for Chen Style Tai Chi, fully trained in China by Grandmaster Wang Xi’an. He has nearly 40 years experience with Tai Chi, Qigong, Yoga, Meditation, and various Martial Arts and healing systems from around the world.

Dr. Bacher is the founder of Chen Taiji International, a worldwide organization dedicated to the preservation, advancement, and teaching of the original Chen Style Tai Chi. He travels internationally teaching Tai Chi to share the many health and healing benefits of this ancient “Internal” Martial Art for the body, mind, and spirit. He is the author of two books: Taiji Basic Training Manual and Tai Chi at Work. Also a Chen Style Tai Chi teaching set on DVD.

Visit Dr. Bacher’s Official Website at: http://taichivacations.com

Labels: event, wellness, workshop

Tickets on sale for third annual Women’s Day conference


Tickets go on sale today at area outlets for the third annual, A Day for Women, a one-day conference for women in the region.

Women of the region are encouraged to attend this one day event being organized by the Women’s Wellness Program of the Miramichi Regional Health Authority in celebration of International Women’s Day.

The Program committee wanted to celebrate the internationally recognized day by providing women the opportunity to be educated on women’s issues and listen to informative presentations. The conferences held in 2006 and 2007 were filled with over 120 women attending each year.

This year’s conference promises to be a great event. A change in venue, a well-known keynote speaker and other informative presentations will round out the day being held at James M. Hill Theatre from 8:30am-3:30pm.

In early January, the organizing committee announced CBC host Shelagh Rogers as this year’s keynote speaker. Rogers is the host of “Sounds like Canada” which airs each morning on CBC radio. She lends her voice to a number of causes, in particular, mental illness, which will be her topic during her keynote presentation on March 6.

During the afternoon of this year’s conference, women will be offered presentations by the region’s own registered nurse Jeanne Breau as she discusses Women and Sexuality. Breau will be followed by registered dietician Margaret Young of Sobeys as she enlightens the crowd on her Ten Tips to Healthy Eating.

Other fun parts of the day will feature a musical performance by Miramichi’s own Paula Foley and a Belly-dancing demonstration by Betsy Squires.

The 2008 one-day women’s wellness conference will be held at the James M. Hill Theatre and this year, tickets will be sold at the cost of $10 per person. There will be no pre-registration. Tickets will be available February 6 at the following locations: Bill’s Quick Mart (Chatham); Books Inn (Newcastle); Miramichi Regional Hospital Gift Shop; Neguac Health Clinic, Rogersville Health Clinic, Blackville Health Clinic, Baie Ste. Anne Healthy Clinic and the Miramichi Medical Day Clinic. Anyone from out of the region who wishes to purchase tickets, or for more information, please contact Stacey at (506)623-6136.

Labels: wellness, women

Women’s Wellness Program partners with nurse practitioners to provide Pap Clinic

The Women’s Wellness Program is partnering with nurse practitioners working at the Miramichi Medical Day Clinic to provide the region’s Pap clinic. The Pap clinic will be held at the Miramichi Medical Day Clinic beginning in October.

“This partnership is a natural fit as these nursing professionals are skilled in performing Pap tests and internal exams,” says Karen Copp, nurse manager of outpatient clinics who oversees the Women’s Wellness Program. She says this new partnership will allow more time for the Women’s Wellness Coordinator to provide community education regarding health issues that affect the region’s female population.

The Miramichi Regional Health Authority has been operating a Pap clinic since 2002. The Pap test detects the presence of abnormal cells on the cervix of the uterus. If abnormal cells are detected early enough and treated adequately, the rate of recovery is extremely high. All women are encouraged to have a yearly pap test. The Pap test can be completed by a doctor, nurse practitioner or at the Miramichi Women’s Wellness Pap Clinic at 627-PAPS (7277).

Labels: wellness, women

Community Prayer Vigil to be held for “My Miramichi”

A Community Prayer Vigil for “My Miramichi” will be held on Tuesday, September 18 at 7:30 p.m. at Queen Elizabeth Park in the Newcastle Town Square. The prayer vigil will be an opportunity for the community to unite together in prayer and healing for those struggling with addictions, their families, and the community. Following the prayer vigil, those in attendance are invited to visit various information booths in the Kin Centre.

The event is being organized by members of the Miramichi faith community, Miramichi Regional Health Authority’s Addiction Services, Mental Health, and Pastoral Care Departments, First Nations communities, the Miramichi Chamber of Commerce and Miramichi business community, City of Miramichi, Miramichi Police Force and Partners for a Drug Fee Miramichi.

Representatives from the community, First Nations, Addiction Services, a recovered addict, a family member affected by addictions, and the Miramichi faith community will be taking part in the prayer vigil. “We have all noticed the increase in drug use and addiction in our community and the harm being caused by drugs. Members of our community are living with addiction,” says Sherry Sturgeon, Miramichi business woman and organizing partner in the event. “Let us show our families, friends and neighbours that they are not alone, there is hope and there is help.”

Labels: event, health, wellness

Miramichi Public Health to hold MMR vaccination clinics for students returning to college or university

Miramichi Public Health Services will be holding day and evening vaccination clinics for Miramichi area individuals who are served within the Miramichi Regional Health Authority, have been born after 1970, and who are attending post-secondary institutions, including college or university. The vaccination clinics will be administered to help protect against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). Those eligible are to call the Miramichi Public Health Office at 778-6102 to schedule an appointment.

These immunization clinics are part of the expanded publicly-funded immunization program to protect against MMR to include all individuals age 18 to 24, inclusive, as well as all those attending post-secondary institutions.

“This vaccination will help provide added protection to the age group most affected by the recent mumps outbreak,” says Dr. Denis Allard, medical officer of health for the Miramichi Region. There have been more than 100 cases of mumps reported in New Brunswick, mainly in the Saint John area, since January. Two thirds of these cases have been in the 20 to 29 year old age range.

Mumps can affect people of any age who have not previously had the disease or been immunized. People born before 1970 likely had mumps disease as a child and are considered not susceptible to mumps and will not be part of the expanded program. In adults, mumps can lead to more serious conditions.

Common symptoms include fever, swollen and tender glands at the angle of the jaw.

Anyone diagnosed with mumps or who suspects they may have mumps should not go to school or work until they have seen a doctor.

What is mumps?

· Mumps is a disease caused by a virus.

· Mumps can occur at any age, but can be especially serious in adults.

· Mumps is spread by close contact with an infected person's saliva (spit). This happens with kissing or sharing food or drinks, etc. Sneezing and coughing can also spread the virus.

· Mumps causes fever, headache and swelling of the salivary glands.

· The swelling is painful and causes the cheeks to puff out.

Labels: health, hospital, program, wellness

Thrive Conference

Best selling author, Dr. Scott Wooding to speak at James M. Hill Theatre
As part of the National Thrive Conference on Positive Youth Development, on Wednesday, May 9th, Dr. Scott Wooding is scheduled to speak on today's teenagers and and stress. Dr. Scott is a best-selling author, and is considered one of the leading authorities on parenting today's teenangers. The Eel Ground School's drama club is set to perform After the Thunder: The Simon Bishop Story prior to Dr. Wooding's talk. This special evening session from 7-9 p.m. is open to the community. Donation at the door.


Helping Canadian Kids Thrive! 2007 - 3rd National Conference on Positive Youth Development (May 10th & 11th, 2007)
Sponsor: Thrive! The Canadian Centre for Positive Youth Development
Date: Thu, May 10
Time:
Location: Rodd Miramichi River -- A Rodd Signature Resort, 1809 Water St., Miramichi East
Phone: 1(800)265-2680, Mary Lynn Jardine: 506-623-2054
Email: kay@thrivecanada.ca, mljardine@nb.aibn.com
Website: www.thrivecanada.ca/
Comments: Energizing learning sessions and training opportunities.

Labels: event, wellness, youth

New Mango Champion an inspiration to others

Mango’s new Champion of the Community is seen as inspiration to her peers.

Veronica Connolly is a TOPS (take off pounds sensibly) leader and she was recently awarded the honour of First Place Winner in this area. The Nelson resident was nominated by her peers because of her continued commitment to her own health.

“We heard Veronica’s story and wanted to recognize her. She has had some tragic events in her life, but has used them to help her succeed in her weight loss. We are happy to share her story,” says Jacqueline Noseworthy, Mango coordinator and dietician.

Mango’s initiative, Mango Champion of the Community sees Mango recognizing and profiling members of the region who are living as Mango encourages the community to live: eating well and being active.

Veronica’s story

Veronica is a TOPS leader in Newcastle. For many years, she taught clogging to the public and was always physically active. She ate well and followed the Canada’s Food Guide. After two deaths in her family, she found that she was eating more and gaining weight. She stopped teaching clogging and began quilting and her physical activity level decreased dramatically.

“After my son died, I weighed 233 pounds in 1996.” Then, after hearing from her family doctor that she had a problem with her heart, she thought to herself, “I count too.”

She made a decision to improve her health. She joined a local gym and returned to the TOPS plan which follows the Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating. She incorporated foods from all food groups and increased her consumption of fruits and vegetables.

“I have more energy now and I’m feeling better. I’ve lost 65 pounds since February 2006.”

She has given motivation to her family and has inspired her TOPS group members thus being awarded TOPS club’s first place winner for her weight loss. When accepting her award on April 21, she delivered this poem:

Self Love Moves Pounds

One day I got a thinking
About the shape I’m in
And realized I needed help
If I were to be thin

It was then I remembered
My TOPs pals of ore
And my mind was made up
To eat junk food no more

Mango’s Champion of the Community is brought to you by McDonald’s restaurants: working with Mango to recognize healthy champions in our community.

Mango is a population-health based community program that promotes healthy eating and active living throughout the region. Its’ goal is to decrease overweight and obesity by 10% by the year 2008 through initiatives such as this one.

Labels: Mango, Success Story, wellness

Third session of Stepping Out starting soon

The Mango program begins its third session of its popular pedometer program the week of May 7.

Stepping Out with Mango is a 12-week program which will be offered to all members of the public and is accessible in the communities of Newcastle, Chatham, Douglastown, Rogersville, Néguac, and Baie Ste. Anne. This program is designed to help people increase their physical activity.

Stepping Out with Mango first started in September 2006 with a flurry of people filling community halls and workplace lunch rooms to join the program to help increase their physical activity. In January 2007, another session seen hundreds of people clip on the tiny instruments and getting physically active despite cold winter temperatures.

Now, the week of May 7, a new group of Stepping Out followers will hit the streets and the fitness facilities in an effort to increase their own physical activity.

“Since September, we’ve had over 800 people join our Stepping Out with Mango initiative and we couldn’t be happier,” says Mango Coordinator Jacqueline Noseworthy. “We are extremely impressed with the number of people that are making the commitment to join a program designed to increase their physical activity and help keep them motivated. The response has been overwhelming.”

As a participant in the program, each person receives a pedometer- a tiny instrument that counts every step the person takes. At the end of the day, participants record the number of steps they take. Each week they set new goals for themselves and gradually try to increase their daily steps over the 12-week period.

In addition to wearing the pedometer, participants also attend five 30-minute group support meetings facilitated by a trained program leader. In these meetings, the group is encouraged to determine weekly goals and progress is shared. Participants receive tips on how to be more active and ways to increase their steps. There is also nutrition sessions offered in the communities.

“Stepping Out with Mango is a program that can be easily used by an individual, family or workplace.”

To register for the session nearest you, to offer this program in your workplace, or for more information, please contact the Mango office at 627-7564.

Mango is a population-health based community program that promotes healthy eating and active living throughout the region. Its’ goal is to decrease overweight and obesity by 10% by the year 2008 through initiatives such as this one.

Labels: health, Mango, program, wellness

Miramichi Regional Health Authority displaying community programs

The Miramichi Regional Health Authority (MRHA) is reaching out to the public this weekend as it displays several of its community wellness programs at the Miramichi Lifestyles 2007 show.

A ‘healthy living expo’ is a new component this year to the long-running lifestyles show happening at the Miramichi Civic Centre from April 27-29. This expo will feature displays from the Miramichi Regional Health Authority, City of Miramichi Recreation and Wellness, Culture and Sport.

“The focus of the expo is active living and wellness,” says Clarissa Whitlock, Community Health Promotion Coordinator with the Miramichi Regional Health Authority. She, along with David Sisk, City of Miramichi Recreation Supervisor and Rene Pelletier, a Consultant for the Dept of Wellness, Culture and Sport have been meeting for the past several months to organize displays for the expo.

“The MRHA will be represented by 10 community programs that will display health promotion and prevention information. We will have Addiction Services, Methadone Stakeholders, Community Mental Health Services, Mango, Regional Diabetes Program, Healthy Learners, Breast Screening, Women’s Wellness and MRHA’s Workplace Wellness.

“For example, our breast screening program will be promoting its digital mammography services and showing the public digital images, along with providing females breast screening information; our Addiction Services program will focus on information for parents and teens on today’s issues of marijuana and crystal meth. All the programs have worked really diligently to organize their displays to get the best health information together for the public.”

This MRHA’s involvement in this expo maintains its commitment to the wellness of the community it serves. The public is encouraged to make plans to attend the Miramichi Lifestyles show and the Healthy Living Expo this weekend.

Labels: event, health, hospital, wellness