Healthier You Vancouver Coastal Spring 2016 by Glacier Specialty Publishing

Healthier You Content Partner

HAVE A HEALTHY COMMUTE:

EATING TIPS FOR THE ROAD

BE ACTIVE AND HEALTHY AT ANY AGE

Spring

ON THE EDGE: Whistler Health Care Centre

becomes a leading centre in sports medicine

SPRING EVENT CALENDA R

Page 30

UNSPOKEN THOUGHTS:

2016

A look at youth mental health – p. 29

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Spring

Volume 1, Issue 1

coverstory

PRACTISING THE ART OF SPORTS MEDICINE

2016

A CONCUSSION STORY Would you know what to do? By Hadley Pearce

Whistler transforms itself into a centre of excellence By Alison Taylor

INSIDE A NEW ERA, A LIFE SAVED �� PAGE 8 Revolutionary surgery at VGH

HAVE A HEALTHY COMMUTE �� PAGE 14 Tips for eating better on the road By Ian Jacques

SUNSHINE SENIORS �� PAGE 18 Active living at any age on the Sunshine Coast By Ian Jacques

p.6

SMALL STEPS, BIG GOALS �� PAGE 24 Set your healthy eating goal during Nutrition Month

ESSENTIAL INNOVATION �� PAGE 25 Vaccines could be the most important health innovation of the past 100 years

UNSPOKEN THOUGHTS �� PAGE 29 Dr. Paul Martiquet looks at providing mental health support to youth

GET OUT, GET ACTIVE! �� PAGE 30 Your calendar of events for healthy living in the Vancouver Coastal region

SUSTAINABLE, BEAUTIFUL �� PAGE 22 The new Sechelt Hospital By Ian Jacques

VANCOUVER COASTAL – SPRING 2016

Healthier You

welcomemessage

Welcome to the home of active, healthy living

Healthier You Volume 1, Issue 1 – Spring 2016

Published by:

Welcome to the inaugural edition of Healthier You Vancouver Coastal – a new publication serving the communities of the Vancouver Coastal Health region.

Tim Shoults Editor, Healthier You Vancouver Coastal

Where can you find Healthier You?

In doctors’ offices, walkin clinics, pharmacies and other community settings, we will be waiting there too – keeping you company, and sharing stories and insight into health-related issues that matter to you.

Vancouver Coastal Health serves a diverse population from Richmond, Vancouver and the North Shore through the Sea to Sky corridor, the Sunshine Coast and up to Bella Coola. But one thing people in all these areas share is a passion for active living.

This inaugural edition of Healthier You Vancouver Coastal shines a light on what it means to be active and healthy, wherever you live. From our cover story on the growth of Whistler as a centre of excellence in sports medicine and concussion awareness training in Vancouver to how to be active on your own morning commute to active seniors on the Sunshine Coast, we show you ways to be active at every stage of your life. We’re also focusing on the solutions that Vancouver Coastal Health provides for people at every stage of life, from infant and childhood immunization from preventable but serious diseases to mental health services for youth to a revolutionary new procedure at Vancouver General Hospital that prolonged the life of a 79-year-old Richmond man. We’re grateful to Vancouver Coastal Health for their co-operation in putting this first edition together and for allowing use of some of their own stories and images from their website. You can find out more about the many services they provide for you at www.vch.ca. We’d love to hear your feedback on this edition and your suggestions for subsequent issues. Please reach out to me at tshoults@glaciermedia.ca.

4 Healthier You SPRING 2016 – VANCOUVER COASTAL

www.glaciermedia.ca

PUBLISHED BY GLACIER MEDIA

Contributors / Healthier You is produced by Glacier Media. Editorial content produced in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health.

Contributing Writers / Ian Jacques, Alison Taylor

Glacier Media Group

Sales & Marketing Kevin Dergez Director of Special Projects kdergez@glaciermedia.ca Ellyn Schriber Newsmedia Features Manager BC eschriber@glaciermedia.ca Keshav Sharma Manager Specialty Publications ksharma@glaciermedia.ca

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COVER PHOTO: David Buzzard Photography

Advertisements in this magazine are coordinated by Glacier Media. Glacier Media does not endorse products or services. Any errors, omissions or opinions found in this magazine should not be attributed to the publisher. The authors, the publisher and the collaborating organizations will not assume any responsibility for commercial loss due to business decisions made based on the information contained in this magazine. Speak with your doctor before acting on any health information contained in this magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without crediting Glacier Media. Printed in Canada. Please recycle.

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featurestory

A CONCUSSION STORY would you know what to do? By Hadley Pearce

BC Injury and Prevention Unit

t happened out of the blue. One minute I was cruising down a snowy ski trail and the next I was waking up in an MRI machine in the hospital. I was disoriented, confused, a little scared, and had a killer headache. I had a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), commonly known as a concussion. While skiing down that slope I had caught an edge that propelled me into the woods where I hit a tree. I was drifting in and out of consciousness and to this day have no memory of what happened from getting off the chairlift to waking up in hospital. A concussion can occur after a person experiences a direct hit to the head or jolt to the body, resulting in the head moving forcefully in any direction. The brain is damaged from for force of hitting the inside of the skull, sometimes more than once. Although often associated with losing consciousness, only about 10 per cent of those suffering concussions get knocked out. Brain injury is one of the most significant causes of death and disability in North America. Concussions have to potential to leave people with an array of acute and chronic post concussion symptoms leading to cognitive, social and behavioral deficits as well as physical disabilities. When treated and recognized, 85 per cent of concussions resolve within a couple of weeks, while 15 per cent have a longer recovery process. 6 Healthier You SPRING 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; VANCOUVER COASTAL

concussion,

the need for proper

I was only 16 when I had my concussion when skiing. My brain was still developing at that time, making the potential damage I received more hazardous. I was in and out of consciousness that first day and the next week went by in a bit of a daze. I experienced headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.

ONLINE RESOURCES

recognition and

prevention

To learn more about concussion, withvisit www.cattonline.com

My parents received very little guidance from the doctor who treated me. The primary recommendation was rest and no activity for the first four to five days. He also suggested waking me up every few hours while I was sleeping to ensure I hadn’t fallen into a coma.

Learn more about

Though some information is better than none, I know that both of my parents would have liked more information about what a concussion is, and what the best route of recovery is when you, or your child, has one.

concussion,

the need for proper

prevention

Fortunately, research in this area has increased dramatically since my concussion. We are constantly learning more about how the brain functions both normally and after an injury like concussion. The advice that my parents received about constant rest and waking me up every couple of hours is now outdated.

the need for proper concussion,

recognition

the need for proper

The Concussion Tool (CATT and recognition andAwareness Training up-to-date information, tools and resources to prevention with prevent concussions. CATTwith addresses the im individuals, families and and

Recently, concussions have gained a significant following in the media. From stories of athletes who have experienced multiple mTBIs, to hearing about new research that helps us understand a little bit more about what happens during a concussion and how we with can better recover after one.

recognition

concussion,

Learn more about

prevention 1

The Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) provides three online toolkits with up-to-date information, tools and resources to help recognize, treat, manage and prevent concussions. CATT addresses the impact that concussion can have on individuals, families and communities.

The Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CA Medical Parents, up-to-date information, tools and resource Professionals Players Medical Parents, School & Coa The Concussion Awareness Training Toolkit (CATT) is a free concussions. CATTProfessionals addresses the ProfessionalspreventPlayers & Coaches online resource, spearheaded by Dr. Shelina at theAwareness BC InjuryTraining Tool (CATT) provides three online individuals, families a TheBabul Concussion toolkits with Research and Prevention Unit located at BC Children’s Hospital, tools and resources to help recognize, treat, manage and up-to-date information, To view thesethat FREE online course and other resources, visit: where medical professionals; parents, players and coaches; prevent concussions. CATT addresses the impact concussion can have on www.cattonline.com and school professionals can learn about the various aspects individuals, families and communities.

of concussion. The goal of CATT is to standardize concussion recognition, diagnosis, treatment and management, by providing resources such as self-paced tutorials, and links to1 videos, articles, websites and more.

1To view these FREE online course2an

www.cattonli

The website provides British Columbians with a comprehensive, up-to-date collection of concussion information including a series of short video tutorials, printable resources, and online commentary by professionals.

these FREE online course 2To view 3 and other resources, visit:

The recognition, appropriate treatment and management of a concussion is crucial to the health and safety of our kids. Developed by:

The website provides British Columbians with a comprehensive, up-to

www.cattonline.com

a series of short video tutorials, printable resources, an This tool would have been incredibly helpful for my parents after Medical Parent The recognition, appropriate treatment and management of a concu my concussion. They would have been able to access resources to Professionals Players & C The website provides British Columbians help them understand what I was experiencing and learn the most with a comprehensive, up-to-date Developed by: up-to-date concussion protocol for recovery. Resources Medical include an Parents, School collection information extensive time line of when kids can return to school and return to Players & Coachesof concussion Professionals Professionals including a series of short video play (sports) after their injury, and activities that they can participate tutorials, printable resources, and online in throughout that process. To view these FREE online course

commentary by professionals.

www.catton

As well as watching for the signs and symptoms of concussion The recognition, appropriate that can be physical (headache, blurred vision, low energy), To view these FREE online course and otherand resources, visit: treatment management of a mental (poor concentration, unable to think clearly) and emotional The website provides British Columbians with a comprehensive, concussion is crucial to the health (depression, anger, anxiety), sleep disturbances are also fairly a series of short video tutorials, printable resource and safety of our kids. common after a concussion. These can be such things as sleeping The recognition, appropriate treatment and management of a c more, sleeping less, or having trouble falling asleep.

www.cattonline.com

The website provides British Columbians with a comprehensive, up-to-date collection of concussion information including

Developed To help increase education and awareness of concussion, a series of short the video tutorials, printable resources, and online commentary by by: professionals. Minister of Health, the Hon. Dr. Terry Lake, indicated British The recognition,that appropriate treatment and management of a concussion is crucial to the health and safety of our kids. Columbia’s approach to concussion in sport is to address it through education versus legislation. Having access to a resource like CATT Developed by: will encourage people to educate themselves when it comes to concussion; what it is, what to expect, and how to manage the challenges met during recovery. With this knowledge will come more awareness in concussion response.

VANCOUVER COASTAL – SPRING 2016

Healthier You

Developed b

Story courtesy of Vancouver Coastal Health

Revolutionary procedure at VGH is a first in North America Emergency heart valve surgery saves 79-year-old’s life Weighing the options Unfortunately, the standard method of treating someone in his situation was urgent open-heart surgery, a risky procedure for a man of his age and in his condition. Even if he survived the surgery and his coronary artery bypass grafts were not damaged, he would likely be in hospital for weeks and it would take months to fully recover. But there was good news for Max. Vancouver General, along with St. Paul’s Hospital, is home to the world-leading team at the Centre for Heart Valve Innovation.

WHEN 79-YEAR-OLD MAX MORTON WALKED INTO VANCOUVER GENERAL HOSPITAL WITH SEVERE CHEST PAIN AND SHORTNESS OF BREATH, HE HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING HE WAS ABOUT TO BECOME THE FIRST PATIENT IN NORTH AMERICA TO UNDERGO A REVOLUTIONARY NEW PROCEDURE. Heart failure It was March 11, and Max, an energetic, community minded Richmond BC resident, was experiencing a massive failure of his aortic valve, the most important of the four valves that allow the heart to pump blood.

The hospitals are leading an international clinical trial evaluating the approach pioneered in Vancouver for minimally invasive transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in high risk patients. The procedure has been done hundreds of times in the two hospitals, but had never been attempted on unstable critically ill patients such as Max anywhere in North America. Saving Max’s life The decision was made to attempt the procedure to give Max the best chance of surviving. And the gamble paid off. A replacement valve was successfully implanted through an artery in his leg in less than 20 minutes by a highly skilled team led by Drs. David Wood, John Webb and Richard Cook.

That same valve had been replaced in 2009, when he also had coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Max was awake the entire time, and later that night was laughing with his family and joking that he was not sure he would make his fishing trip with his son the following morning.

Max was still awake but his blood pressure was extremely low and dropping fast. With every beat of his heart, only half of the necessary blood was being circulated.

“Yesterday likely ushered in a new era in urgent heart valve replacement in Canada,” said Dr. Wood. “This is a tremendous testament to the infrastructure we have all helped create at the Centre for Heart Valve Innovation.”

8 Healthier You SPRING 2016 – VANCOUVER COASTAL

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featurestory

PRACTISING THE ART OF SPORTS MEDICINE

Whistler transforms itself into a centre of excellence By Alison Taylor

Contributing Writer

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY POWDER DAY IN EARLY FEBRUARY, THE KIND OF DAY THAT SKIERS DREAM ABOUT ALL SEASON LONG. “THE BEST KIND OF DAY,” SAYS 15-YEAR-OLD MATTHEW OGILVIE-TURNER WITH AN AIR OF WISTFUL RESIGNATION.

gilvie-Turner was on his second run of the day, traversing with his friend across the aptly-named Sun Bowl on Whistler Mountain. His friend fell just in front of him and as Ogilvie-Turner moved quickly to avoid hitting him, his right ski caught the snow. He could feel his knee twisting sideways as he fell. Little did he know it then, as he was tobogganed off the mountain by ski patrol, but that non-descript fall would effectively end his ski season — a seconddegree strain of his MCL (the medial collateral ligament) followed by the dreaded doctor’s orders: “No skiing for six weeks.” “I usually hurt myself in the summer so it’s kind of a change of scenery,” jokes Ogilvie-Turner, his sense of humour still intact as he refers to his previous mountain biking injuries — a broken collar bone and a broken wrist. Such is the life of a Whistler teen. And such is a day in the life of a doctor at the Whistler Health Care Centre (WCHH), dealing with the fallout thousands of sports accidents every year. There are 20,000 visits annually to the centre and 40 per cent of those are orthopaedic injuries. By the very nature of its business, the small centre has organically transformed over the years into a hub of excellence in sports medicine. Dr. Bruce Mohr, chief of medical staff at the WHCC, has been working in Whistler for two decades and has seen it all — the torn knee ligaments, the broken bones, the dislocated shoulders. Located in the heart of Whistler’s village, the busy diagnostic and treatment centre is a veritable goldmine for sport science and sport medicine study. “It’s hard to find another place anywhere, in North America or in Europe, where they see the acuity and volume of sports injuries that we see and the reason is because we have two mountains, plus all the backcountry, both summer and winter,” says Mohr. And it’s not just that people are outside making the most of the outdoor playground. It’s what they’re doing out there that’s really having an impact on health care.

VANCOUVER COASTAL – SPRING 2016

Healthier You

“(It’s) extreme sporting behaviour and it’s not just skiing, snowboarding and mountain biking,” says Mohr. “It’s kayaking, it’s ATVing, it’s sledding. It’s all these other things that people are doing and all of the trauma and sports injuries are funnelled to us.” One particularly icy Saturday, Mohr says, they saw 34 wrist fractures at the centre. Thirteen of those were dislocated and had to be put back into place. He remembers another busy Saturday afternoon when he saw 17 ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries on knees. Those kinds of numbers don’t happen anywhere The biggest thing that’s exciting else, he says. “I think that we are cutting edge in terms of care,” says Mohr. “It’s not rocket science. You just get good at something that you have to do over and over and over again.”

about working in the corridor from our perspective is that most of our patients want to get better. – Dr. Alexandra Brooks-Hill

It’s the reason why there is a popular teaching program in Whistler with third year Emergency Medicine residents. It’s another reason why there are studies taking place in Whistler, such as last year’s onmountain study with Blackcomb Ski Patrol on intranasal ketamine for pain management. While expertise in acute pain management in the immediate aftermath of an injury has evolved everywhere in the last 10 to 15 years, Whistler is on the forefront in this particular area of medicine. “The medical staff at WHCC apply this expertise every day managing acute sporting injuries,” says Mohr.

The trip to the WHCC is generally just the first step in the journey of a sports injury in Whistler. The road to recovery is full of specialist appointments, physiotherapist visits, at-home exercises, and perhaps the most difficult medicine to swallow — time and patience. “The biggest thing that’s exciting about working in the corridor from our perspective is that most of our patients want to get better,” says Dr. Alexandra Brooks-Hill, one of the two orthopaedic surgeons in the Sea to Sky corridor who has been practising here for a decade. “So there’s a high volume of sports injuries but I think we also have people who end up doing very well because they’re motivated to do their rehab and get back in action.” But, as Matthew Ogilvie-Turner can attest, sometimes you can do all the right things, following the doctor’s orders, and things may not go according to plan. Just as his right knee was recovering nicely and he was finally allowed back on skis, he felt his left knee “pop” while his was climbing at The Core, the indoor climbing wall in the village. He’s still waiting for the prognosis, trying not to count the ski touring days missed, the long spring break with no skiing. Hope, however, springs eternal on a one-track Whistler mind. “Hopefully I’ll be able to ski by next week.” And if not, biking season is, of course, just around the corner. PHOTO: David Buzzard Photography 12 Healthier You SPRING 2016 – VANCOUVER COASTAL

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healthylifestyle

EATING HEALTHY WHILE ON THE GO

By Ian Jacques

Contributing Writer

e are all in a rush, constantly on the go. Finding time to eat, let alone eat healthy, can be a challenge, but by following a few simple rules, eating healthy need not be so challenging.

skip that first meal are more prone to weight gain, lack focus and have an inability to concentrate.”

“It’s important to eat well throughout the day,” said Angel Luk, a registered dietitian with Vancouver Coastal Health. “When we first wake up our first meal of the day should be within two hours of waking.

But being always on the go does not mean that you can’t snack healthy and these days that can’t be a chocolate bar or a bag of your favourite chips.

“And I say meal rather than breakfast because so many of us lead different lives and have different jobs. Shift workers for example, might rise at 1 p.m., so for them they might not be having breakfast in the traditional sense, but they will be having their first meal of the day.” That first meal sets in motion the start of everyone’s day and is vitally important, Luk emphasizes. “The first meal breaks up the fast and enables the body to kick-start the metabolism,” she said. “This also helps us to prevent over eating throughout the day and helps to manage weight gain. People who 14 Healthier You SPRING 2016 – VANCOUVER COASTAL

Luk also said it’s important to space the main meals four to six hours apart and in between have some healthy snacks.

“It’s easy for many of us to just reach for a bag of chips or a chocolate bar, but over time that’s just not a healthy alternative,” Luk said. “On-the-go snacks have to be portable and can’t spoil in a bag and there are many things out there that will ensure that you are snacking healthy.” Snacking has a purpose in our overall diet, Luk points out. “The purpose of a snack is to help us from either overeating at the next meal, helps to manage your weight or helps to boost your metabolism,” she said. “If you keep in mind that snacking is to help your overall health and diet plan, then you can snack with a purpose, or a set goal instead of just eating.”

Examples of on-the-go snacking options include a home-made trail mix, low fat cheese strings and portable fruits such as bananas, apples or a pre-peeled orange. If you are looking for a crunchy option try some nuts or low-fat, high-fibre crackers and maybe add a low-fat peanut butter to the crackers. “Depending on the type of commuter that you are you have some different options,” she said. “Certainly if you are a driving commuter it can be a challenge, but I recommend people always have a full water bottle with them with extra water in a big bottle in their trunk. That way you always have lots of water with you. I also suggest people get a small mason jar and fill that with nuts or dried fruit. Place that mason jar in your car’s cup holder and that way you can have access without distracting from driving. “If you are a transit commuter, then you have more options — things like granola bars or dried fruit. You can even have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and only have half. Some people like oatmeal or dried figs and if you have a sweet tooth, then some dark chocolate covered almonds are much better than a piece of cake or a donut.” Whatever snack you do choose doing your commute or when you are on the go, Luk says, make sure it is low in sugar and high in fibre. “The high fibre will make you feel fuller for longer,” she said. “If you have the capacity to make a coffee or a tea at the office before you begin that commute home, make sure that the larger portion of that drink is milk. So warm up the milk and then throw in a tea bag or instant coffee powder and that drink is your snack as it contains carbohydrates and protein and will make them feel fuller as well.” But what ever you do, Luk says, keep it simple. “Keep it simple — I think people try to over complicate things when it comes to what they eat or drink,” she said. “Eat healthy and eat smart and you will be just fine.”

FRUIT & NUT GRANOLA

Ingredients:

2 ½ ½ 1 1 3 ¼ 3 ½ ½

Cups Cup Cup Tsp Tsp Tbsp Cup Tbsp Cup Cup

Rolled oats, large flake All-purpose flour Brown sugar Ground cinnamon Ground ginger Vegetable oil Orange juice Maple syrup Chopped almonds Dried cranberries

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 300F. Line baking sheet with aluminum foil or spray with vegetable oil. • Combine the oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, oil, orange juice, maple syrup, and nuts into a large mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly. • Pour onto prepared baking sheet and place into preheated oven. • After 15 minutes, remove tray from oven and stir with wooden spoon. Return to oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes (depending on desired level of darkness and crispiness). • Remove from oven and add dried cranberries, stirring together with wooden spoon. • Once cooled completely, store in airtight container in a dark and dry cupboard. Keeps for one month. Registered Dietitian Tips:

Editor’s note: Angel Luk is also the nutrition consultant at the Richmond Olympic Oval, cofounder of The Physician In The Kitchen and founder of Sports Nutrition World & Food Mysteries. Find her on Twitter @FoodMysteries on Facebook.com/FoodMysteries or at her blog at: www.foodsmysteries.com.

• This granola is incredibly versatile. • Turn into a balanced meal by adding plain yogurt and fruit. • Want it sweeter? Add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. • For an extra protein kick, add more nuts to the recipe or serve as is with Greek style yogurt instead of regular. • For a quick, on-the-go snack, carry a small airtight bag of this in your backpack or purse. It’s a great snack for commuting because it’s dry, compact, and won’t spoil.

VANCOUVER COASTAL – SPRING 2016

Healthier You

sponsored content

B.C. Salmon: Good For You. Good For B.C. Salmon is one of nature’s superfoods and, to maximize the health benefits, Health Canada’s Food Guide recommends eating at least two 75g servings of salmon each week. In addition, the Heart and Stroke Foundation advocates eating a balanced diet of quality, fibre-rich carbohydrates combined with protein and good fats. In fact, about 20-35% of total daily calories should come from quality unsaturated fat sources high in Omega-3s, such as oily fish, avocados, flaxseed, certain vegetable oils, nuts and seeds.

Nourishment is key to leading an active and healthy life. – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

With a shift in North America towards healthier eating patterns, these simple additions to your diet can make an incredible difference in how you feel and how your body functions. Not to mention that oily fish, such as salmon, provides you with numerous health benefits that can’t be found in other protein sources – a reason 1 in 5 people already rely on fish as their main protein source (International Salmon Farmers Association (ISFA)).

Top 10 Reasons To Eat More Salmon Thanks to the high levels of Omega-3s, as well as the variety of vitamins and minerals – particularly vitamins B and D, selenium, potassium and calcitonin – eating 2 x 75g of salmon each week can provide numerous health benefits. 1. Helps repair heart damage and strengthen your heart muscles – reducing the risk of heart disease 2. Reduces your risk of having a stroke 3. Lowers bad cholesterol, while raising your good cholesterol 4. Decreases your risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease 5. Boosts your immune system, lowering your risk of developing certain autoimmune diseases, such as Crohn’s, colitis and lupus 6. Helps with the treatment of osteoarthritis and other inflammatory joint conditions by improving bone density and strength 7. Lowers triglycerides (a type of fat stored in the body) 8. Prevents blood clotting 9. Improves your energy 10. Functions as a great natural anti-depressant, helping to combat depression

We’re fortunate in British Columbia to have around 100 species of fish, shellfish and marine plants produced commercially and available fresh year round. Helping to bridge the gap between the limited wild resources and the demand of the world’s growing population, B.C.’s vibrant aquaculture industry provides a variety of locally grown seafood (mussels, clams, oysters, scallops) and fish (salmon, sablefish, trout, tilapia) – all of which are considered to be large part of the West Coast diet in the province. Consumer demand for fish remains strong, with more people worldwide appreciating the health benefits of regular fish consumption. Currently, the world’s fastest growing food system is salmon farming – accounting for 70% of the market and producing 14.8 billion meals per year for people around the world – making it an essential part of the global food supply (The Global Salmon Initiative (GSI); ISFA). As the population continues to increase and people start to seek out healthier forms of protein, salmon farmers in British Columbia are in a unique position to help meet the growing global demand for fish, especially when taking into consideration that worldwide animal protein consumption is projected by GSI to rise nearly 73% by 2050.

Consumer demand for fish remains strong, with more people worldwide appreciating the health benefits of regular fish consumption. – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Realizing that the province’s pristine coastal waters are one of B.C.’s greatest resources, salmon farmers continue to invest in state of the art technology and use innovative farming practices, resulting in an extremely desirable product that has a global reputation for being fresh, healthy and sustainable. While 30% of B.C.’s farm-raised salmon is consumed in Canada, the other 70% is exported to markets around the world. Given the highdemand, it’s considered to be B.C.’s number one agricultural export, with the largest export market being the United States. In addition, encouraging demand trends are emerging – especially in China, where exports have more than doubled since 2012 and the appetite for B.C. farm-raised salmon continues to grow.

Celebrating B.C. Seafood Month Top 5 Reasons to Attend the BC Shellfish & Seafood Festival (June 9-19, 2016) 1. 11 days of succulent seafood, scenery and cool cuisine – the largest seafood festival on Canada’s West Coast 2. Over 30 events, including Gala Dinners, Aquaculture Educational Sessions, Aquaculture Farm Tours & more 3. The official event for BC Seafood Month – bringing together seafood enthusiasts, leading aquaculture businesses, seafood producers, chefs and educators 4. Award winning celebrity chefs Ned Bell, Barton Seaver and Nathan Fong 5. Located in the scenic Comox Valley – a seafood lover’s paradise For more information visit BCShellfishFestival.com

healthylifestyle

SUNSHINE SENIORS

Healthy and active lifestyles are everywhere on the Sunshine Coast

By Ian Jacques

Contributing Writer

SENIORS ARE A HEALTHY AND ACTIVE BUNCH ON THE SUNSHINE COAST. SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE HELPING TO SPUR ON THAT ZEST FOR ACTIVITY PROMOTING AN ACTIVE AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AMONG THE COAST’S RETIREES.

ABOVE: Camille Vanzella stretches during a

workout at Powell River’s Recreation complex. PHOTO: City of Powell River

18 Healthier You SPRING 2016 – VANCOUVER COASTAL

he Seniors Planning Table is under the leadership of The Resource Centre. It works collaboratively with seniors, service providers, community organizations and local governments to ensure that the supports and programs are available for all adults living on the Sunshine Coast and that seniors are healthy, valued and involved members of the community. “By having seniors as integral members of the table, they/we are engaged, willing, and able to present their views on a number of issueless related to seniors and eager to support the work of the Planning Table,” said Seniors Planning Table spokesperson Anne Titcomb. “Through our action groups seniors are very involved in planning how to proceed regarding homelessness and standard housing, abuse of older women, dementia support and safety at home. Along with communication and collaboration these were the priorities identified for attention in the first year of the Seniors Planning Table’s operation. This involvement contributes to their/our health, to feeling valued as involved members of the community.” continued on page 20

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The Seniors Planning Table is also working on the development of an age-friendly community plan in collaboration with the District of Sechelt and will be developed through hearing from seniors and others through focus groups and a survey. “The data gathered will be used to develop the plan and will be used, in part, to inform the District of Sechelt on changes within local government control that they can make to enhance the quality of life of everyone, including seniors on the Sunshine Coast,” added Titcomb. “Being engaged with the Seniors Planning Table, seniors are involved and contributing to their community. This provides a strong sense of belonging — something that we recognize as important for older adults.”

and endless, especially for seniors. Healthy bodies encourage healthy minds.” The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) plays a huge role through its parks department. There are a number of trail opportunities — even wheelchair accessible trails and playgrounds. The SCRD’s trail system promotes seniors’ abilities at all levels to get out and walk and enjoy nature while the SCRD’s indoor recreation facilities targets many programs for seniors physically and mentally. “I am sure these actives will only grow, as we have a large and quickly expanding population of seniors on the Sunshine Coast,” added Titcomb. “I would be remiss if I didn’t say that there are many vulnerable older adults on the Sunshine Coast. The Seniors Planning Table is trying to respond to their needs as well as these individuals are not as active, most need more information and other kinds of supports.”

MORE INFORMATION In the Powell River Area, the Powell River Senior Citizens Association is a non-profit organization and a branch of the Seniors Citizens Association of BC. To date, the group in Powell River has 365 members.

Dennis Bremner on the leg press. PHOTO: City of Powell River

But the Seniors Planning Table is just one of the many initiatives that is available for seniors to be active on the Sunshine Coast. There are all kinds of activities for people of all ages on the Coast. “We are particularly lucky here on the Sunshine Coast as there are so many ways for seniors to be active,” said Titcomb. “Through the arts, in its broadest sense, there are endless possibilities for seniors. Both seniors centres on the Coast, Harmony Hall in Gibsons and Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre in Sechelt offer a variety of opportunities to be physically active as well as programs that may seem more passive, but connect seniors thereby engaging them with one another. “When seniors are engaged with others, they feel mentally stimulated and part of something. I know the benefits of being physically active are both essential

20 Healthier You SPRING 2016 – VANCOUVER COASTAL

“Our mandate is to promote the physical, social and mental well-being of all seniors, 50-plus in the Powell River district,” said president Anna Maria Coletto. “We do this by providing regular weekly and monthly activities that provide stimulation in these three key areas. “While many of the weekly activities such as tai chi or bridge promote physical and mental stimulation, we provide our members with a number of opportunities to socialize. Once a month we have a soup and sandwich lunch, and a monthly dinner. For our over-80 crowd we provide a free luncheon on Valentine’s Day.” Volunteers play a big part in the organization, said Coletto. “The board members are all volunteers along with many others who provide their time and energies in preparing for lunches and dinners and other special events. As the brochure says, “seniors helping seniors.,” she said. “The Association will also invite community speakers to talk with our members about different programs in the areas of health, well being and other topics related to seniors. We act as a resource centre and we, at times, advocate on behalf of our members. “By providing our members with physical, mental and social activities the Association is helping our members to increase their stamina, increase their cognitive function and increase their self-worth by giving them a purpose each and every day.”

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healthcare

A PLACE OF HEALING, BEAUTY AND SUSTAINABILITY The new Sechelt Hospital By Ian Jacques

Project enters final phase of expansion

Contributing Writer

t a recent meeting of the Sunshine Coast Regional District in Sechelt, Larry Harder, director of capital projects for Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) said VCH plans to go out to tender on the project in June with anticipated construction to start in July. All the work should be finished by this September, bringing an end to the almost five-year project. Originally, the hospital expansion project was to be completed by October 2012, but construction problems and technical difficulties stalled the project. The final phase of the construction will involve renovating the

22 Healthier You SPRING 2016 – VANCOUVER COASTAL

The new Sechelt (shíshálh) Hospital. PHOTO: Courtesy of Coast Reporter

original hospital building, which will lead the way for a new ambulatory care department, an updated endoscopy suite and more flexible space to accommodate additional acute care patient beds. The $5.2 million in funds for the renovation are already in place as part of the overall $45-million hospital expansion budget. Originally named St. Mary’s Hospital, the name changed in the fall of 2015 to reflect a robust community consultation process and a request from the Sechelt Indian Band to adopt a name that better reflected their ancestral roots. The hospital is built on land donated by the Indian Band. The renovated and expanded hospital is a unique facility in the province as it was designed to not only help improve patient care but also minimize its carbon footprint. The hospital also now boasts single occupancy in all of its inpatient rooms — a first for VCH and a proven method for helping minimize the transmission of infections between patients. The hospital is one of the few to have operable windows in all clinical and inpatient areas. It is also one of the first facilities in the province to incorporate point-of-care stations at each impatient bedroom, allowing supplies to be loaded on the corridor side of the room and be accessed from within. This helps to create effective re-stocking processes and reduce interruptions to patients. The new hospital has a light-filled lobby that serves as the new face of the hospital, marks the main entrance and connects the new and existing portions of the hospital. Central to the design of the lobby is the creation of a new public room for the community, the recognition of the many financial donors who contributed to the project and the inclusion of artwork — such as the mural that welcomes visitors to the hospital and spans the entire 70-foot lobby — created by members of the Sechelt Indian Band. The expansion project is also pushing the environmental envelope as the entire site is targeting net

carbon reduction through the use of a geo-exchange system, a highperformance envelope, a photovoltaic array and passive design strategies, such as the use of solar shading and operable windows that allow for natural ventilation. Other design changes include lighting reduction strategies, installation of a green roof, improved water efficiency, energy conservation measures and a waste management program. But the sustainability features don’t just stop there. Staff and ambulatory patients are encouraged to travel by bike to the hospital and have installed bike racks and shower facilities to encourage this mode of travel. Carpooling at the hospital is encouraged and managed through a website set up by VCH in partnership with the Jack Bell Foundation. Light pollution reduction strategies were used both inside and outside of the facility, including lighting shut-off scheduling programs and exterior fixture shielding, to work towards achieving a dark night sky and provide safe surroundings with night-time visual comfort. The hospital also takes into account water efficiency. VCH’s mandate was to minimize site disturbance and potable water use. An equally important goal was to use the landscape design to emphasize the range of native planting on the Sunshine Coast taking into account species of cultural relevance to the Sechelt First Nation. As a result no irrigation was installed on the site. The design team was able to avoid the use of irrigation by choosing native and adaptive plants that could thrive without irrigation.

Politicians, delegates and community members came out to witness the dedication of three new totem poles carved by Sechelt Nation members Tony Paul and Dion Louie, which now stand outside the Sechelt (shíshálh) Hospital. PHOTO: Courtesy of

Coast Reporter

Sechelt Hospital uses water-efficient fixtures to reduce potable water use. These include dual-flush water closets, low-flow faucets with sensors, low flow showers and low flow kitchen sinks. This has reduced water use by more than 30 per cent. — With files from Vancouver Coastal Health and Coast Reporter VANCOUVER COASTAL – SPRING 2016

Healthier You

Story courtesy of Vancouver Coastal Health

Better eating, one small step at a time Healthy eating goals for Nutrition Month

By Dr. Paul Martiquet

Medical Health Officer for Rural Vancouver Coastal Health and

Meghan Molnar

Community Dietician

ith March coming to a close, it’s a good time to review our eating habits, after all, March is Nutrition Month and most of us could still learn a few new things about nutrition. Making big changes in our habits are usually very challenging and often lead to failure. A better idea is to make very small changes. These lead to small successes, which add up to big successes… and there you are! To that end, the Dietitians of Canada are asking us to make just one small change in how and what we eat, one meal at a time. Make a healthy eating goal Before getting too far ahead, we should consider how to make goals easier to achieve. Research, and experience, has shown that when you make a goal and share it with people around you, it is far more likely to be accomplished. The first step is to make a healthy eating goal —make it simple then stick to it. Stock up on healthy ingredients Setting yourself up for success can be relatively simple. Start by getting your pantry ready with nourishing foods at hand. Stock up on the right ingredients for nutritious, tasty meals and snacks. Another easy step, and a small change, is to fill your plate with more vegetables; choose fruit as a snack; or change to whole grain bread. After all, what’s available is what you will eat. And yes, quality matters, so start the day with breakfast to give your body the energy it needs. Plan ahead Plan ahead and make extra food so you can pack homemade leftovers for lunch or have a meal ready for another day. And by seasoning your food with flavourful herbs and spices you can reduce how much salt you consume, another example of a small but effective change. Eat mindfully Mindful eating takes the often-rushed process of meals and pulls it back a bit. Do this by focussing on the foods you are consuming, the texture, and the flavours. Avoid eating in front of the television or computer. Instead, immerse yourself in the flavour of your food and enjoy it, one bite at a time. 24 Healthier You SPRING 2016 – VANCOUVER COASTAL

Simple strategies work Some other ideas to help you succeed: Post your goals on the fridge or at your desk to keep them top of mind. Make a meal plan so you know what foods you will be cooking and eating, and to help create your shopping list. Ensure you have good food choices on hand for meals and snacks: put out a fruit bowl; keep a bottle of water at your desk; prepare cut veggies and keep them at the front of the refrigerator. Try something new and use your phone It might also be time to try something new or even creative! Maybe it’s time to experiment with new foods and flavours. For some terrific (and yes, healthy) recipes, visit Cookspiration for ideas. Better yet, download the smartphone app designed by Dietitians of Canada which serves up healthy recipe suggestions for any craving, meal or mood. Cookspiration has over 300 recipes that are easy to make and will suit your nutritional needs. Cookspiration is just one of several smartphone apps available free from Dietitians of Canada. There is “eaTracker” that makes diet journaling easy. And “eaTipster” is a free iPhone app that serves up a new healthy eating tip every day. Any number of small changes can help you eat better and more nutritiously. Make a few simple changes, and then build on them for surprising, and healthful, results.

Story courtesy of Vancouver Coastal Health

The greatest health innovation of all time? The impact of vaccines

f we were tasked to choose the single most important health-related innovation from the past 100 years, we could make a very strong case for vaccines. After all, immunization has saved countless millions of lives and prevented endless suffering around the world. In recognition of this fact, Canada celebrates National Immunization Awareness Week from April 23 to 30 this year. It’s a good reminder of the value of this nowobvious advance. Leading cause of death A century ago, infectious diseases were the leading cause of death worldwide. Today, they now cause fewer than 5% of all deaths — thanks to immunization programs.

By Dr. Paul Martiquet

Medical Health Officer for Rural Vancouver Coastal Health

Immunization protects us by preventing the spread of disease; as more people are immunized, the risk is reduced for everyone. That makes immunization the single most cost-effective health investment and an important cornerstone of the health system. History of vaccines As we look back over the history of vaccines, certain milestones pop up. We might start in 1798 with the demonstration by Edward Jenner that inoculation with

9 9

MAKING RECOVERY A REALITY

continued on next page

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To learn more and register, call or email your community. Powell River: 604-485-8903 | cparsons@cdpr.bc.ca Richmond: 604-204-8574 | mend@richmond.ca Squamish: 604-848-9735 | Brent.goodman@sscs.ca Vancouver: 604-320-5826 | mend@gv.ymca.ca

Story courtesy of Vancouver Coastal Health

cowpox could protect against smallpox. This brought the first hope that the disease could be controlled. Progress was slow but by 1885 a Dr. Stewart in Palmerston, Ontario had established a vaccine farm and his cows provided a dependable smallpox vaccine supply for the next 31 years until 1916 when Connaught Laboratories took over the manufacture of sterile vaccine. The Pertussis (whooping cough) bacterium was identified in 1906 and by 1918, the first Canadian vaccine was introduced. In 1953 there were 9,000 cases of polio reported. Then came the polio vaccine and just 12 years later, only three cases were reported. Moving to 2006, the first HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccine was approved for use in Canada to reduce the risk that women will develop cervical cancer. And in 2008, the shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine was approved for Canadian use. Vaccination deniers Despite these life-giving changes to health care, there will always be people denying the validity of immunization. That should not surprise as there have been anti-vaccine campaigns since vaccination began in the late 18th century. The problem with this is that when public confidence in the effectiveness and safety of a vaccine becomes widespread, the result can be severe. Diseases can quickly return when fewer people are immunized. This has been demonstrated on countless occasions: think of the measles outbreaks in 2014 in southern Alberta and the Fraser Valley. Eliminating diseases Because of the immense success of immunization, we tend to forget that it was mass vaccination that helped eradicate smallpox, and polio, and has made other diseases rare or even invisible to most of us. Consider the long list of diseases that can be prevented by routine vaccination and ask yourself, would you have any recur? It’s a long list: diphtheria, influenza, Hepatitis A and B, shingles, human papilloma virus (HPV), measles, meningococcal disease, pertussis, mumps, pneumococcal disease, polio, rotavirus, rubella, tetanus, chickenpox. Immunization has been so successful in eliminating diseases that many of us have become disconnected from the threat. We cannot forget how easily a disease can re-establish itself. Dr. Paul Martiquet is the Medical Health Officer for Rural Vancouver Coastal Health including Powell River, the Sunshine Coast, Sea-to- Sky, Bella Bella and Bella Coola. 26 Healthier You SPRING 2016 – VANCOUVER COASTAL

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UNSPOKEN THOUGHTS: YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH Providing mental health support By Dr. Paul Martiquet

– Medical Health Officer for Rural Vancouver Coastal Health

Child and Youth Mental Health Day Over the past several years we have seen more attention paid to people’s mental health. It is not quite the ‘secret’ that was kept hidden and only discussed quietly, if at all. Fortunately, we are now recognizing the need for open conversations about an illness that affects far more of us than would have been admitted only a decade or two ago. To that end, we acknowledge Mental Health Week from May 2 to 8, and Child and Youth Mental Health Day in BC on May 7. Recent research results There is an overall prevalence of 15% of mental health disorders among children and youth. This translates into some 140,000 of our young people facing significant distress. But are we talking about ‘feeling a little unhappy’ or something more? Definitely the latter. We know this because of work completed by the McCreary Centre Society who recently published “Unspoken Thoughts & Hidden Facts: A snapshot of BC youth’s mental health.” This report, researched and written by some 28 youth researchers aged 15 to 24 and using the resources of the Society provides a snapshot of youth mental health in BC. Key findings One of the key findings is that female youth reported poorer mental health than their male counterparts. They were more likely to report extreme stress, extreme despair, self-harm and to consider or attempt suicide. Another group with higher risk were youth with a physical disability. Almost double the number in this group (17%) reported extreme stress compared to those without a physical disability. • Substance-use – Research showed that some youth self-medicate using substances. Indeed, 21% of youth who had used alcohol, marijuana or other substances reported that the last time they had done so was because they were stressed. Conversely, youth who had not used alcohol, marijuana or other substances reported better mental health than those who had. • Bullying – Bullying, both in person and online, made it more likely that a youth would report negative mental health. Around half of females who were cyberbullied in the past year also self-harmed in that time (22% of males).

• Work hours – Having a job also influenced mental health. The more hours a youth worked, the less likely they were to report positive mental health. That said, having a job for a few hours a week was positive. • Access to services – Finding and using mental health services for youth was uneven. Among youth who felt a need for those services, 11% did not access them (17% of females, 5% of males). The top reasons for missing out included not wanting their parents to find out, thinking or hoping the problem would go away, and being afraid of what the doctor would say or do. Family support Families can be a source of support for youth. More involvement such as eating meals together or having an adult in the family they could turn to both related to more positive mental health. Cultural connectedness was another positive factor. For example, youth who spoke a language other than English at home were more likely to report good or excellent mental health than those who spoke only English. Resources are available We should not be surprised to discover that children and youth are not all that different from adults. After all, while some of the challenges may differ, in the end we must all understand the importance of good mental health and recognize that each of us may need a little support For more information and additional resources for child and youth mental health go to www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/mental_ health/pdf/tool_kit_bw.pdf

MORE INFORMATION VCH combats mental illness with new site New website makes easy to find help – Over his 30 years as a family doctor, Dr. Garey Mazowita encountered patients with mental health concerns on a daily basis. Help for depression and anxiety – VCH has launched an online resource, MindHealthBC, which will make it easier for individuals with mental health and substance use issues to find help. Check out: www.mindhealthbc.ca

VANCOUVER COASTAL – SPRING 2016

Healthier You

eventcalendar

SPRING 2016

GET OUT AND GET ACTIVE The months of May, June and July offer many opportunities for everyone to get outside and get active. Whether you are the weekend warrior to the every day fitness fanatic or just want to get out with your family and friends, there are many events in the Lower Mainland, North Shore and Sea to Sky Corridor that everyone can take part in.

MAY May 1: BMO Vancouver Marathon – bmovanmarathon.ca May 7: Run For Women Vancouver – The Shoppers Drug Mart Run for Women is Canada’s only national women’s race series offering a 5km, 10 km and girls 1 km. www.runforwomen.ca

May 8: Fairmont Mother’s Day Run – There is a 3 km, 5 km and 10 km run on a course through Stanley Park in Vancouver. – runmomrun.ca

May 14: BarnBurner Triple – A challenging 10 km and 15 km trail run with a grassroots feel in Pemberton. barnburnertriple.com

May 15: Shaughnessy 8k Run 5k Poker Walk – A scenic

course travels through the residential streets of Shaughnessy and Kerrisdale. – www.facebook.com/shaughnessy8K

May 21: Iron Knee Tender Knee – Event Date: May 21,

2016. Runners can race in the Iron Knee event, which is 25 km or the Tender Knee event, which is 13km. Starts in the Cleveland Park or Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve in North Vancouver to the finish on the shores of Deep Cove. mountainmadness.ca/ironkneetenderknee.php#one

May 28: Survival of the Fittest – The Survival of the Fittest course is a beautiful loop from the scenic Quest University in Squamish. Runners can choose from the 13 km or 18 km distance. – www.coastmountaintrailseries.com/survival.html

May 29: Microsemi Science Fair Fun Run – The largest, timed 5 km fun run in the province and a major fundraiser for B.C.’s technology sector. – www.sciencefairs.ca/funrun/

JUNE June 4: Whistler Half Marathon – 10 km and half-marathon with a 21.1 scenic course designed to showcase all that is Whistler. – www.whistlerhalfmarathon.com

June 4: Spartan Race North Vancouver – The North

Vancouver Spartan Race is a sprint version (about 5k) obstacle course race where participants attempt to run through numerous obstacles as fast as possible. – www.runguides.com/vancouver/ event/spartan-race-north-vancouver

June 5: Vancouver Child Run – A 5 km and fun run for

families, the event is the largest family fun run in Vancouver with participants raising funds for BC Children’s Hospital. www.bcchf.ca/events/event-calendar/rbc-run-for-the-kids/

June 5: MEC Vancouver Race – 5k, 10k, Half-marathon in the historic Steveston Village of Richmond. – events.mec.ca/ event/99531/mec-vancouver-race-four-5k10khalf-marathon

June: Ambleside Mile (West Vancouver) – The final date has not been finalized. This annual one-mile race is part of the Community Day Parade as is open to runners/walkers of all levels. – www.amblesidemile.com

June 10: Blue Shore Financial Longest Day Road Race

An evening 5 km and 10 km race around the campus of the University of British Columbia. – www.events.runningroom.com/ site/?raceId=12868

June 11: Race For Kids Vancouver – The Capital One Race for Kids is an urban adventure race and is part of a nation-wide series were teams of four race to complete 10 checkpoints around the city then return to the start line. bgccan.akaraisin.com/pledge/Event/Registration. aspx?seid=11636&mid=60

June 11: Comfortably Numb in Whistler – A beautiful

and challenging point-to-point race encompassing 15 km of trail running along an internationally-recognized mountain biking route. – www.comfortablynumb.ca

June 12: Seek the Peak – A 16 km ultimate fitness challenge

on Grouse Mountain that will test your fitness, stamina, strength and overall mental toughness. – seekthepeak.ca

June 18: Tough Mudder Whistler

Tough Mudder Whistler, at Whistler Olympic Park, is a fun, challenging obstacle race that is not for the faint of heart. toughmudder.com/events/2016-whistler

June 15: Tenderfoot Boogie Squamish – Tenderfoot

Boogie is an exciting trail race, starting in Squamish by the Adventure Centre and finishing off in Whistler Mountain at the Meadow Park Aquatic Centre. www.trailwhisperer.ca/Tenderfoot/

June 26: Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon

More than 5,000 runners will compete in one of the largest half marathons in Canada. – www.runguides.com/vancouver/event/ scotiabank-vancouver-half-marathon

June 26: Vancouver Spring Sprint – A fundraising event to

raise funds for critical research into the cause of an cure for brain tumours. – www.braintumourwalk.ca/site/PageServer?pagename =EventCentral_Landing