Getting to know your clients on the North Shore

It might not be a surprise if you work with clients or patients from the North Shore, but a recent VCH Public Health survey has found that North Shore residents are more active and smoke far less than the average Canadian.

More than 3,000 adults in the City and District of North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Lions Bay and Bowen Island were surveyed in November and December 2012. They were asked questions about their general health and well-being.

Survey highlights:

• Almost half (47 per cent) of North Shore residents are meeting the recommended physical activity guideline, more than three times higher than the Canadian average.

• The overall smoking rate of 7.6 per cent (4.6 per cent in West Vancouver and 10 per cent in the City of North Vancouver) is far lower than the overall B.C. average of 15.8 per cent and it is the lowest rate in all of B.C. This rate is also among the lowest in Canada.

• About one-third (32 per cent) of respondents eat the daily recommended number of servings of fruits and vegetables.

• 68% of North Shore residents report that they feel a very strong or somewhat strong sense of community belonging.

The full results can be viewed on the VCH website.

The results will now be shared and discussed with North Shore municipal governments. The data collected will be used to develop and guide future services and support the North Shore Congress’ Child and Family Friendly Community Charter.

This survey contributed to the development of the recently launched My Health My Community survey, which will obtain a broader perspective of these issues from across the Lower Mainland. The survey is accessible online, for those living on the North Shore or anywhere in the VCH or Fraser Health area, at www.myhealthmycommunity.org.