Healthy Environments

Our Ecosystem is our Health System 

Our health is deeply connected to the health of the natural environment and shaped by the built environment.

Setting the Foundation for Health

We support decision makers with tools to strengthen climate resilience and health through adaptative capacity. This includes reducing exposure to environmental and climate hazards, improving air and water quality, and preventing injuries through safer infrastructure and healthier built environments.   

How We Work

We take a holistic approach that integrates environmental, social and health perspectives into decision-making. Our work is grounded in social equity, evidence and collaboration. Through collaborative strategies, we help to develop solutions that support everyone to live, work and play in healthier, more sustainable and safe communities.

We partner with:

• Indigenous Peoples
• Local governments and regional districts
• Health professionals and service providers
• Community organizations

How our Team Influences Community Health and Environment

Our Healthy Environments team brings a range of expertise in the following areas:

• Combine evidence to promote climate adaptation
• Develop strategies to reduce risks of harmful environmental exposures
• Build resilience to climate-related disasters through improving access to health information
• Create policies and programs that reduce harms due to preventable injuries related to transport, falls, drowning, concussions, etc.
• Share evidence-based resources with partners to integrate health and climate resilience into community design

What is Healthy Built Environment

Our built and natural environments play a vital role in shaping our health and well-being. The way we design our communities affects our access to healthy food, safe water, active and public transportation, and overall levels of safety and security. It also influences our levels of physical activity and how easily we connect with nature and others. Thoughtful planning is essential to creating environments that support healthier lives for everyone.

The Healthy Built Environment Approach

Key to our approach is the Healthy Built Environment Linkages Toolkit from the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC). This toolkit links planning principles and health outcomes across five built environmental features. Climate resilience and health equity impacts are also key considerations in creating healthy communities.

What is Injury Prevention

Injury prevention includes actions and activities carried out at the community level to reduce the number and severity of injuries across a wide range of causes.

Our priority areas include:

• Road safety
• Water safety and drowning prevention
• Falls among older adults
• Sport and recreation safety
• Concussion awareness and prevention
• Child and youth injury
• Youth suicide and self harm
• Interpersonal violence

The Injury Prevention Approach

Partnerships are central to our work. We collaborate with a wide range of organizations to help prevent injuries in communities, including Indigenous and local governments, non-profit organizations, community health networks, and other partners. By working together, we share knowledge, coordinate efforts, and support safer environments for everyone.

We also monitor injury trends to identify emerging or concerning issues. When we see a concern, we take action based on the situation. This may include sharing information with the public or working with partners to develop solutions. 

Connect with Us

Local governments and Indigenous communities may reach out to HBE@islandhealth.ca to include the Healthy Environments team in your work. We can support you by providing a public health perspective that includes climate and planetary health.

Contact the Injury Prevention team at injuryprevention@islandhealth.ca to collaborate on injury prevention initiatives. We can support your work by providing expertise and guidance on injury prevention work. 

Check out your local government website for planning projects and opportunities. Engage with local government and shape your community. Champion the change and empower others to build the future together!

Resources

Strengthening Health and Resilience in a Changing Climate: A Primer for Local Governments - Supporting decision-makers with tools to strengthen climate resilience and health through adaptive capacity.

Promoting Healthy Built Environment on Vancouver Island -  how Island Health established the Healthy Built Environment portfolio

The Island Health’s Wildfires, Heat Safety, Cold Weather Safety, Drought, Flooding and Landslides pages - health risks related to the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events.

Contact Environmental Public Health Locations for:

• Food safety
• Drinking Water
• Recreational Water
• Communicable disease control
• Capital Regional District Tanning ByLaw