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Health

The Foundation has adopted the World Health Organization’s definition of health as: "A state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing rather than a mere absence of disease or infirmity.”

The concept of health as a resource in our daily life was clearly articulated in the world renowned Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion (1986):

To reach a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, an individual or group must be able to identify and realize aspirations, to satisfy needs and to change or cope with the environment. Health is, therefore seen as a resource for everyday life, not the objective of living.

Today, there is mounting evidence that simply increasing spending on healthcare services will not result in significant further improvements in the health of the Canadian population. Instead of focusing our efforts on “downstream” medical interventions, researchers and public health practitioners are advocating that more attention needs to be devoted to “upstream” public policies and prevention strategies which address the social, economic and environmental factors affecting our health.

This broad array of factors is referred to as the Determinants of Health. It is apparent, from looking at the Determinants of Health, that healthcare services – while essential – represent only one determinant out of twelve. The most significant determinants are societal determinants related to factors such as poverty, housing or education. It is the interplay of these determinants that profoundly affects our health. If we want to promote the health of a community and its citizens then we need to intervene before people get ill.

As the Executive Director of the Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse says, “Ontario deserves a better balance between investments for prevention and health promotion and investments for medical treatment, disease management and long-term care.”

What is the focus of the Foundation’s health programme?

The goal of the Foundation’s health programme is to improve the health of individuals and communities in Waterloo Region.

Our approach starts with what creates health rather than disease.

The focus for the Foundation’s health programme is health promotion and prevention.

We support health promotion and prevention initiatives that address the multiple social, emotional, physical and economic factors that determine our health.

The Foundation gives priority to health proposals that focus on:

• Prevention strategies that are proactive in trying to prevent the problem from occurring or slow down and reduce the impact of existing health or behaviour problems

• Individual health promotion – Initiatives “enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health”

• Community health promotion – Initiatives addressing multiple Determinants of Health in an integrated, collaborative and systemic approach

• Contributing to public policy that promotes public health for all

• Inspiring and supporting individuals and communities to develop to their fullest health potential

The Foundation does not normally fund requests for:

• Hospital fundraising campaigns

• Medical and healthcare services

• Funds to replace declining government funding

In addition, please review What we fund for a list of criteria and priorities that apply to all programmes.

If you’re prepared to submit an application, go to the online application form.