by Brigitte Smiley
Communications Manager, DComm
CFPSA Ottawa
(613) 996-6393
smiley.brigitte@cfpsa.com

In July 2001, the Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency (CFPSA) signed a Service Level Agreement with Director General Health Services (DGHS) to deliver a health promotion program to the Canadian Forces (CF) community entitled “Strengthening the Forces.” This publicly funded program is being delivered by the CFPSA on bases and wings under the guidance of the Personnel Support Program (PSP) Managers. Policy and program development responsibilities remain with DGHS.

"The PSP Division of CFPSA has successfully hired 38 Health Promotion Directors and Managers to deliver health promotion programs on 26 bases and wings across Canada and Europe" says Dr. Wayne Lee, PhD, Director of Human Performance and Health Promotion at CFPSA. During the week of September 16th, 2002, a 3-day conference was held to familiarize the new health promotion experts with the program. The conference was followed by a weeklong Cooper course to certify participants as Health Promotion Officers.

Photo: Lyndon Goveas

About the Health Promotion program

While other CF medical services focus on the treatment of injury, disease, and social dysfunction, health promotion—according to the CF Health Services continuum of care model—is responsible for the prevention of disease and unhealthy life-style choices. Health promotion aims at decreasing such high-risk behaviours as smoking, addiction, and unsafe sex. It also encourages physical activity, weight and stress management, and the development of healthy relationships. The program, which is designed to include CF members—Regular and Primary Reserve—is voluntary in nature. Some programs are also available to families and other members of the Defence Team.

PSP health promotion experts are partnering with other PSP and CF professionals to deliver programs in a minimum of ten component areas, including:

• physical activity
• weight management
• nutrition
• stress management
• nicotine cessation
• addiction-free living
• injury and violence prevention
• suicide prevention
• healthy sexuality
• spirituality

The official launch of the health promotion program is scheduled for November 4, 2002.

For further information regarding this program please visit the CFPSA website at www.CFPSA.com