Shining a light on those who spark change in our community
SUDBURY – Do you know someone who goes above and beyond to protect and promote the health of others in our community? If yes, then nominate them for a Public Health Champion Award!
The Sudbury & District Health Unit is calling on residents to nominate local citizens and organizations for the 2016 Public Health Champion Award. Help us recognize the extraordinary achievements of fellow champions for public health. A public health champion is anyone who helps to protect and promote the health of our communities, whether through leading, collaborating, innovating, or fostering opportunities for health.
The theme for this year’s award is inspired by our You Can Create Change campaign. The campaign encourages people to take action to support opportunities for health for everyone. Actions include for example, getting involved in local issues, volunteering your time, donating to worthy causes, and getting informed and asking important questions. This year’s Public Health Champion Award will recognize a community member or organization that has helped to spark change and impact social and economic factors that influence health.
To continue with the positive momentum of You Can Create Change, a new video is also being launched to inspire action to help address health inequities. The video, along with information about the campaign, can be found online by visiting www.sdhu.com/change.
“When it comes to achieving optimal health, we all don’t have the same opportunities,” said Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health. “For instance, we may not know that some people have to choose between buying their prescription medications and other necessities such as food and rent, or that our neighbour, or the person whose locker is next to ours, is going hungry.”
No one should be at risk of poor health because of their social and economic situations. You Can Create Change raises awareness of the social determinants of health and their effect on health, particularly related to such issues as income and social status, housing and food security, and education and literacy.
The award recipient will be selected based on demonstrated achievements toward improving the underlying social and economic conditions that support health. The recipient promotes positive public health in line with theme of the You Can Create Change campaign, through the categories of Leadership, Collaboration, Innovation, and Fostering Opportunities for Health.
Nominations are open until Friday, September 2, 2016, and will be judged by a committee of the Sudbury & District Board of Health and Health Unit staff. The nomination form and eligibility guidelines are available online at www.sdhu.com. This year’s recipient will be honoured at an awards ceremony in October.
