Being in Nature – A Prescription for Better Health

Ashoo Anand Multicultural Program Coordinator

Credit Valley Conservation

Outline

1. Why? What is the need?

2. Who? Who are the audience?

3. What? What programs to offer?4. How? What is the structure of the program?5. So What? What are the outcomes?

Credit River Watershed

1000 sq km in area and 22 sub‐watersheds.

Population over 750,000 (32% increase 1996 – 2006)

88% of the population in lower watershed

Peel Region – A Multicultural Destination

Brief Introduction

• CVC’s Multicultural Outreach Program started in 2009

• Engaging people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

• Developing and implementing ecological literacy programs for newcomers.

• Making connections with community organizations working with diverse groups.

Health and Wellness Program

• Launched in 2014• Promoting natural areas to foster physiological and

psychological well being.• Clients include –

– Community health centers– Long term care homes– Community support groups– Hospitals– Senior clubs/groups.

Know Your Audience - Language • Language barriers are linked to low levels of health

literacy.• Affects access to health information and care.• Impacts making healthy lifestyle choices and locating

proper health services.• New immigrants are more at risk for poor health because

of language barriers.• More precarious in Seniors. (More than 22% seniors

have no knowledge of English or French).

Know Your Audience - Employment

• Barriers to finding meaningful, profitable and secure jobs.

• Poor wages and multiple jobs simultaneously.• Unfamiliar roles, physically demanding jobs, shift

works and long hours.• Working immigrant females face additional barriers.• Working male immigrants report more work injuries.• Skilled new immigrants in processing, manufacturing

and utilities jobs.

Know Your Audience - Income

• Recent immigrants have low income levels despite high levels of education.

• Prevalence of low income is also higher in immigrant seniors.

• Health status improves with income and impacts life expectancy, infant mortality, cardiovascular diseases and suicide.

Know Your Audience - Social Environment

• Re-building social networks is challenging for immigrants.

• Sense of belonging.• Social capital positively influences health

related behaviors.

Know Your Audience - Physical Activity

• Physical activity is less common among the recent and long-term immigrants.

• Immigrant women are less likely to be physically active due to lack of time, family commitments and cultural norms.

• Barriers to the physical activity in immigrants include:– Religious fasts– Language– Lack of knowledge of the importance of exercise– Differing social norms.

Identified Gaps

• Minimal connection with nature.• Lack of awareness on conservation areas.• Fear for natural outdoor spaces.• Transportation challenges.• Physical health concerns.• Language barriers.

Programs to Offer

• Language appropriate• Fit into the cultural norms• Sensitive to religious/cultural needs• Seniors inclusive programming• Transportation Costs• Gate Fee/Park Fee• Creating Social Environment• Providing opportunities for volunteerism

Program Structure

• Presentation

Program Structure

• Trip to Terra Cotta Conservation Area

Program Structure

• Easy Trails and Interpretive Hike

Program Structure

• Lunch options• Social networking in natural outdoors

Questions?Questions?