Blundell
Community Health Service Area
Health Profile (Version 2.0)
Health Behaviours
What we eat, how much alcohol we drink, how physically active we are, whether or not we smoke or vape tobacco products, and whether or not we take steps to prevent injury (such as wearing a life jacket, seatbelt, or a helmet) are all considered ''personal health practices'' or health behaviors. These practices have an impact on our health and well-being.
Protective Equipment Use
The appropriate use of protective equipment can reduce the likelihood of serious injury. For example, wearing a helmet when bicycling, skiing, or snowboarding can significantly reduce the incidence and severity of head injuries.[33,34,35] Wearing a life jacket while boating reduces incidence of drowning by 80%.[36] Seatbelt use reduces the chances of an injury when in a vehicle crash by 53%.[37]
Smoking/Vaping
Smoking contributes to a variety of health problems, including cancer and cardiovascular disease. It remains a leading cause of preventable death in British Columbia. The use of vaping products that contain nicotine can increase the risk of diseases associated with nicotine consumption (e.g., nicotine addiction) and other health conditions.[20] Conversely, reductions in tobacco smoking have been associated with substantial reductions in the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and some cancers over the past two decades.[21] This decrease in tobacco smoking resulted in corresponding reductions in the demand for healthcare services related to these diseases.[21]
Physical Activity
Physical activity can include recreation and sports, exercising, and active forms of transportation like walking or biking.[22] Health benefits of physical activity include reduced risk for multiple chronic diseases as well as improved fitness, strength, mental wellbeing, and overall quality of life.[22,23] Communities can offer programs and services that increase physical activity awareness, build skills to engage in physical activity, and positively influence personal health practices. Supportive social and physical environments can improve everyone’s ability to adopt more physical activities.
Binge Drinking
Consuming alcohol can contribute to poorer self-reported health [24] and increase the risk of health problems such as cardiovascular disease, [25] cancer, and liver disease. [26] It is also linked to various risk factors of poor health including psychological distress, and has been heavily implicated in most areas of injury including motor vehicle, workplace, suicide and self-harm, interpersonal violence, falls, drownings, and poisonings.[27,28,29,30,31]
Physically active
Adult population (18+)
BC COVID-19 SPEAK Round 2 Survey (2021). BC Centre for Disease Control.
65.8%
Smoke or vape daily/occasionally
Adult population (18+)
BC COVID-19 SPEAK Round 2 Survey (2021). BC Centre for Disease Control.
15.1%
Binge drink
Adult population (18+)
BC COVID-19 SPEAK Round 2 Survey (2021). BC Centre for Disease Control.
18.7%
Physically active: Percentage of population 18+ years old who have more than 150 minutes per week of physical activity.
Canada's Movement & Activity Guidelines recommend adults, including seniors, to have at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic physical activity per week.[32] This refers to having moderate or vigorous physical activity that makes one breathe harder than normal on 5 or more days and, on average, for 30 minutes or more on one of those days in the past 7 days. Physical activities can include exercise, dancing, active commuting, cycling, sports, active chores, climbing stairs, heavy lifting/digging/construction.
Smoke or vape daily/occasionally: Percentage of population 18+ years old who smoke or vape daily or occasionally.
Binge drink: Percentage of population 18+ years old who binge drink among those who reported drinking alcohol in the past 12 months. Binge drink is defined as having 5 or more alcoholic beverages for males or 4 or more alcoholic beverages for females on one occasion at least once per month over the past 12 months.