Canadian Medical Association promotes AT

At their recent general annual convention in August, the Canadian Medical Association adopted the following resolutions:

1.. The Canadian Medical Association and provincial/territorial medical associations call on the federal government to work with the provinces and territories to adopt a national environmental health strategy. DM 5-17

2.. The Canadian Medical Association and provincial/territorial medical associations urge all levels of government to promote active transportation by:

a) incorporating active transportation principles into community planning and infrastructure renewal; and

b) developing and implementing public education and awareness programs that explain the link between health, active transportation and the environment. DM 5-15

3.. The Canadian Medical Association urges governments to adopt national standards for ambient air quality that are at least as stringent as the leading international standard. DM 5-18

4.. The Canadian Medical Association urges the federal government to support research to understand the relationship between early childhood exposure to air pollution and long-term health effects that may occur as a result of this exposure. DM 5-16

5.. The Canadian Medical Association encourages all physicians to lead by example by using, facilitating and advocating for the use of active transportation.

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In related news, together with the BC Medical Association and the BC College of Family Physicians, Walk BC (co-led by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon and the BC Recreation and Parks Association) has created the Physician Engagement Program to facilitate and increase physical activity in inactive adults aged 35-54.

Physician Engagement provides BC physicians with resources for their patients about the benefits of physical activity, how to get started with a walking program, and local information on programs and opportunities.

For more information please check out www.walkbc.ca.