Resolutions for Public Health workers. How can we personally make Canada healthier in 2012?

In the actions and encounters we on a daily basis, the question that we should continually ask, is how can I make the world that I can touch a healthier place today and into the future?   DrPHealth would like to propose two sets of resolutions, the first as resolutions for us as individual public health workers in Canada, the second for the next posting, as resolutions for my personal contributions.

The strength of the Canadian public health system is the people who see what we do as a vocation.  Collectively we have accomplished so much to improving the health of Canadians.  Daily we see how much more we can do.   The following are perhaps just reminders as to what might be the dozen most important things to do in 2012.  

1. Advocate for policies that specifically reduce income disparities as it is the major modifiable driving force for poorer health.
2. Ask frequently the question, how will this service/policy/action improve the health of our children and future generation?
3. View the world that our grandchildren will inherit and the threats caused by Climate Change, Contamination, Consumption of non-renewable resources and Consumerism. 
4. Be a constant reminder of the prosperity we enjoy and the challenge so many others of our global neighbours face in accessing the minimum prerequisites for health of peace, shelter, education, food, income, stable eco-system, sustainable resources, social justice and equity.
5. Support the adoption of healthier lifestyles in at least the major risk behaviours of tobacco use, alcohol consumption, poorer nutrition and sedentary lifestyle.
6. Recognize the value of our current health care system, and constantly ask what is the added value to the health of the population of the resources we are about to expend.
7. Encourage frequently that the solution to sustainability of our health system, is to prevent the need to utilize the health care services in the first place.
8. Put safety and injury reduction on the agendas of those that can make safer choices
9. Argue for incorporation of culturally appropriate approaches to improve health and reduce the existing disparity.
10. Ensure sexism, ageism, racism, or other non-modifiable characteristics are exorcised from the places we live, work and play.   
11. Promote tolerance of the diversity of individuals in our society including those with addictions, mental health disorders, disabilities and living street oriented lifestyles and others  
12. Support the adoption of services that reduce harm for those who engage in unhealthy practices.  

Of course, we would welcome suggesting for additions and modifications.   Please post a comment or contact us at drphealth@gmail.com 

be sure to share these resolutions with colleagues, perhaps a creed for public health workers to adopt for the New Year.