Heart Health Leadership Manual

Using this Manual

In this manual you will find:

• Background on risk factors for heart disease
• Practical suggestions for motivating your community
• sample planning strategies
• sample mission statements
• resource index

It is up to you to develop a strategy that is specific to the particular needs of your community. This manual offers suggestions, from which you can pick and choose, to build your own unique plan. You will find more good ideas in the resource index, and among your friends and neighbours!

Plan to take advantage of available resources as soon as you begin. Make sure you have a copy of the video which accompanies this manual. Contact appropriate people in the Provincial Department of Health, related agencies and Public Health Units. Give yourself lots of time.

Involving the Community

Enlist support from any group you can.

Heart Health is an issue that affects every part of society, from children to senior citizens. Any organized group can offer an opportunity to increase awareness and promote Heart Health. Look for groups that may have a special interest in Heart Health issues; such as smoking, active living, high blood pressure and nutrition. The following groups have a greater interest in Heart Health and are able to assist you with the promotion of community activities:

• Smoke Cessation Groups
• Fitness Leaders
• Nutritionists/Dietitians
• Nurses
• Physicians
• Counsellors
• Physical Therapists
• Weight Loss Groups
• Walking Clubs
• Public Health Units

There are as many ways to affect change as there are people willing to try.

"AS A COMMUNITY LEADER, YOU ARE IN A POSITION TO SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ... WE CAN CHANGE OUR LIFESTYLES TO PREVENT HEART DISEASE."

"Health Is Not My Problem"

Dealing With Negative Attitudes

Some people see health as an issue to be dealt with by health officials, doctors and nurses; but, you know the difference ... health is everybody's concern. As a community leader you can probably name at least two examples of how a healthy population can contribute to a stronger community. Preventative medicine has always been the easiest to swallow. By taking an active role in helping your community prevent heart disease, you are making an important contribution to the future prosperity of your own family and friends. Remember, "actions speak louder than words." Take every opportunity to lead by example, and prove to your community that we can change the way we live.

As a leader in your community, you know that you have a responsibility to understand the issues, and to provide well considered information. There may be times when everybody does not agree with you; however, when you encourage a Heart Healthy lifestyle, you are offering your neighbours, family and friends the kind of helpful information they will all thank you for.

Achieving and maintaining a Heart Healthy lifestyles is very much a "do-it-yourself" project for individuals motivated and committed to the concept of "living better', although the Community must support individual efforts.

Probably the most significant contribution that any community leader can make in promoting a Heart Healthy lifestyle is to be a good role model. Not that he or she needs to be a perfect paragon, but he/she needs to be perceived as making an effort in this direction, to be at least trying to "practise what they preach."