All About Us – Capital Health listens as four African Nova Scotian communities talk about their health concerns and needs

Description

This report provides highlights of a research project into the health risks and diseases in the communities of North Preston, East Preston, Cherry Brook and Lake Loon. The research, funded by Capital Health, was made possible with the generous participation of residents of the four communities and the partnership support of the Health Association of African Canadians.

Abstract

So what’s different this time? This time, it’s all about the people of four African Canadian communities, their health, their risk factors and illnesses that
affect them differently.

Capital Health knows well the importance of good health to our everyday lives and to our future. It is the organization made up of the people who plan and provide
health care services in the Nova Scotia health district that includes North Preston, East Preston, Cherry Brook and Lake Loon. It also knows that good health and
health care services have not always been available to those who live in the four communities. But how best to improve things?

In late 2006, Capital Health partnered with the Health Association of African Canadians (HAAC) to begin research to help answer that question. With a consultant from the African Canadian communities, a study was launched asking residents to provide information in their own words and stories. The residents, not people from outside the communities, would identify what was important and what needed to be done.

A wealth of information was gathered. Researchers and planners continue to look to the data to find understanding and guidance, and will do so for years as they work with the communities to improve health and health care services.

While the project focused on the four communities within Halifax Regional Municipality, researchers believe the process and its findings can be useful to Capital Health as it connects to other African Canadian communities in its district. The project may also be useful for provincial and national research and policy development. These pages outline the process and some of the findings.