VCH Health Protection conquers Mount Everest!

During the month of October, the Health Protection-Healthy Built Environment team at 601 West Broadway challenged staff in Health Protection to get healthy and feel good by climbing the height of Mount Everest within one month! The goal was to reach a total of 2904 flights and we not only reached our goal but surpassed it by climbing a total of 3018 flights!

To encourage participation, we spread the message that “every floor counts.” Some staff got into the habit of taking the elevator to the 9th floor each time they entered the building and then walked up three flights to the 12th floor. A post-challenge survey noted that the challenge was a good motivator for people to take the stairs and several people said they will continue to take the stairs even after the challenge.

Research shows that exercise is good for both the mind and body!

By making a few small changes every day, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, you can start to feel the benefits!

The new Healthy Built Environment program team includes two environmental health officers and a policy consultant with Population Health and Health Protection. Through partnership and collaboration with local governments, our goal is to improve the health of all and reduce the health inequities in all of our communities.

If you’d like to do a stair climb challenge in your office building or more information on the HBE program, please contact us at 604-675-3800.