Island Health and Our Cowichan Communities Health Network are launching a health and wellness survey for residents of the Cowichan Valley aimed at gathering information that will help to inform programs, services, and policies in the region.
Entitled the Our Health, Our Community survey, the goal is to hear from at least 4,500 Cowichan Valley residents, ages 18 and older, to better understand the region’s health and wellness needs and priorities.
Survey participants will be asked about their overall health and life in the Cowichan Valley, and for feedback on their access to local health and community services.
Dr. Shannon Waters, Island Health’s medical health officer for the Cowichan region, said life has changed a lot in the last few years, so it’s important to hear directly from community members about how they are doing.
“The Our Health, Our Community survey represents a vitally important partnership between Island Health and Our Cowichan Communities Health Network as the data gathered will inform local level services in a way that is driven by the communities themselves,” she said.
“Additionally, the survey will build upon the success of the annual BC Centre for Disease Control’s third Survey on Population Experiences, Action and Knowledge, a provincial-level health survey, by drilling down to the localized, neighbourhood-level data we can gain even more insight from.”
Denise Williams, co-chair of OCCHN, said the network is thrilled to be a part of such an important survey.
“We want to hear from our community members about what matters most for their health and well being,” she said.
“The survey’s results will support organizations across the Cowichan Valley to inform their service development and policy planning, and we hope it can lead to improved health outcomes in the future.”
Community members 18 years of age and over can complete the survey online.
Community members 19 years of age and over are eligible to enter a weekly prize draw for a chance to win one of seven $200 gift cards to local grocery stores, gas stations, or recreation facilities, and a grand prize of an iPad 10.
No purchase or participation in the survey is necessary. The survey can be found at www.ourhealthourcommunity.ca.