Building bridges between health promotion and social sustainability: An analysis of municipal policies in Western Canada Lori Baugh Littlejohns & Neale Smith 20 th IUHPE World Conference on Health Promotion 13 July 2010 Geneva, Switzerland Acknowledgements Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research Community Health Research Travel Grant Program, Alberta Health Services, and The City of Red Deer for their support in this paper presentation.

Purpose To look through population health and health promotion lens at municipal social sustainability policies, explore similarities and distinctions between these approaches, and determine what bridges could be built to join up efforts.

Health Promotion Lens Determinants of Health 1.Income and social status 2.Social support networks 3.Education and literacy 4.Employment and working conditions 5.Social environment 6.Physical environment 7.Personal health practices and coping skills 8.Healthy child development 9.Biology and genetic endowment 10.Health services 11.Gender 12.Culture eng.php#determinants Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion

Social Sustainability Polese & Stren (2000) refers to policies and institutions that have the overall effect of integrating diverse groups and cultural practices in a just and equitable fashion. Dillard, Dujon & King (2009) a)the processes that generate social health and well being now and in the future, and b)those social institutions that facilitate environmental and economic sustainability now and for the future.

Themes A process and an end state Social well being and/or quality of life Equity or fairness Governance and democracy Institutions and/or human services

Victoria, British Columbia

Vancouver, British Columbia

Surrey, British Columbia

Edmonton, Alberta

Calgary, Alberta

Strathcona County, Alberta

Determinants of Health All DOH addressed to some extent Gender was not explicitly discussed in any documents. Culture was most notable in BC Links between the physical and social environments was more pronounced in the BC documents (e.g., food security, accessibility, neighborhood design) Alberta documents more emphasis on personal health practices and coping skills Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion Healthy public policy - implementation of social sustainability frameworks? Creating supportive environments - inclusion a main theme. Strengthening community action - building community capacity through participation. Developing personal skills - explicitly stated as a goal/priority Reorient Health Services - no references as per Charter intent. Alberta documents have a stronger references to partnerships and intersectoral action.

Comments on our findings? Experience with municipal social sustainability?