OHHP-TAFHL
Heart Health programming began in Ontario in 1990 with the Heart Health Action Program (HHAP). This pilot program took place between 1990 and 1996 in 5 demonstration sites across the province. Based on the successes and key learnings of the HHAP, the Ontario Heart Health Program Phase 1 (OHHP) ran from 1994 to 1998. In 1998 the program expanded to 37 sites throughout Ontario. Phase II, OHHP- Taking Action for Healthy Living, is funded by the Ministry of Health Promotion. The program is funded to December 2008.
- History of the Ontario Heart Health Program
- OHHP-Taking Action for Healthy Living
- Structure OHHP-Taking Action for Healthy Living
- The Work of Community Partnerships
History of the Ontario Heart Health Program
Heart health promotion had its beginnings in the 1980’s with international and national pioneering projects in Europe, the United States and Canada. These included programs from Stanford, Minnesota, Pawtucket, and North Karelia, Finland, and subsequently the Canadian Heart Health Initiative.
The Heart Health Action Program (HHAP)
From 1990-1996, 5 Ontario communities participated in the demonstration phase of the HHAP in Ontario. It provided information about the “how-to’s” for heart health in Ontario, especially with respect to community partnerships, local programming, and provincial supports for community projects.
The HHAP built on the learnings from pioneering projects in the United States and Europe. The first to take a community-based approach to cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, these pioneering projects demonstrated that:
- population-wide changes in CVD risk factors are possible; and
- programs will come and go – but the essence of sustainable change is community organization.
Ontario Heart Health Program (OHHP) Phase I
The OHHP was the first, and remains the only, provincial heart health program in Canada. The main intent of the OHHP was to provide a stimulus to develop a sustainable, province-wide infrastructure for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Phase 1 took place in 37 sites from 1998 to 2003.
The goal of Phase 1 was to reduce the prevalence of the three modifiable risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD):
- smoking
- physical inactivity
- unhealthy diet
The OHHP Phase I utilized a comprehensive approach, forming collations with community partners, funded through public health agencies, and matching funds via in-kind contributions.
Phase 1 Highlights
- 17 million dollars provided over 5 years
- 14.5 million dollars provided in-kind by community partners
- 1000 programming activities implemented in Year 5 alone
Some Key Lessons Learned from OHHP Phase I
Phase 1 developed a viable local infrastructure for primary, population-based prevention of heart disease (and chronic disease prevention). It strengthened public health leadership for heart health and Chronic Disease Prevention/National Healthy Living Strategy, and contributed to multi-risk factor programming for CDP/healthy living.
Visit Section 4, page 20, of the Orientation Manual or check out the Heart Health Journey in Ontario PowerPoint presentation.
OHHP -Taking Action for Healthy Living
Building on the successes of Phase I, Phase II, OHHP-Taking Action for Healthy Living began in 2003 and is funded to December 2008. 36 Community Partnerships deliver community-based heart health programs cross the province of Ontario.
Goal
The goal of the OHHP-Taking Action for Healthy Living is to prevent cardio vascular disease (CVD) and other chronic diseases, such as Type-II diabetes, stroke and some forms of cancer.
The OHHP-Taking Action for Healthy Living supports communities, in collaboration with a wide range of partners, in implementing programs at the community level that have a primary emphasis on:
- physical inactivity
- unhealthy eating
- use of and exposure to tobacco.
Structure
The OHHP-Taking Action for Healthy Living is a partnership between the Ministry of Health Promotion, the Board of Health or host agency, and a variety of community partners.
Community Partnerships include community agencies, organizations, groups and volunteers, and are structured to reflect local needs.
The host agency (e.g. Board of Health) provides, as an in-kind contribution one full-time person as the designated local OHHP Coordinator.
The Work of Community Partnerships
OHHP-Taking Action for Healthy Living Community Partnerships encourage communities to increase control over issues affecting health including maximizing the collective expertise of community partners that include Non-Government Organizations and the private sector.
Each community partnership runs comprehensive programs to reduce the risk of heart disease and other chronic conditions. These initiatives strengthen community action, develop personal skills, create supportive environments and advocate for healthy public policy.
Community partnerships mobilize more than 2,300 community partners across the province and generate local in-kind support in excess of 13.6 million dollars.
Across Ontario, OHHP-Taking Action for Healthy Living community partnerships:
- Address common risk factors to chronic diseases (inactivity, unhealthy eating and exposure to tobacco smoke).
- Recognize and address the relationship between lifestyle choices and social conditions.
- Combine prevention efforts with life settings (community, schools, and worksites).
- Engage partners within and across communities to create healthier communities through awareness, environmental supports, policy development, policy implementation and community mobilization.