Action Guides & Toolkits
Use this quick start reference sheet to help you and your team consider where to enter the policy process, the type of influence or change you want to achieve and to provide examples of indicators for policy influence or change. Ideally, this quick reference guide is for individuals and/or organizations who are engaged in research, policy analysis or inquiry, and advocacy that work towards healthy public policies and healthy communities.
Use this printable resource as a visual reference for action areas within local government, as primer for those on your team who may be new to the concept of equity in government policy and planning, or as a quick reference summarizing the more in-depth content of the Equity Action Guide.
In early 2020, BC Healthy Communities conducted research to identify local government and health authority needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ways that they could support those needs through the recovery phase. Food security and insecurity was identified as a key concern. In response, BC Healthy Communities developed a series of Rapid Action Resources that explore food security and insecurity issues from a Healthy Communities lens, offering ideas for local government action in this area.
This guide is for local governments across the province working to implement and champion equity across social, economic, environmental and cultural domains.
This guide is for local governments of rural and urban communities across British Columbia who want to create active, healthy and thriving places for all people.
This Health Impact Assessment Resource supports local and Indigenous government staff, as well as public health professionals, to implement a Healthy Communities approach to planning and evaluating local projects, policies and programs.
This guide is for local governments of rural and urban communities looking to incorporate equity-focused community engagement strategies in their public consultation processes.
Healthy eating promotes and supports social, physical, and mental well-being at all ages and stages of life, and contributes to the overall health of individuals, families, and communities. Food security at the community level is achieved when all citizens obtain a safe, personally acceptable, nutritious diet through a sustainable food system that maximizes healthy choices, community self-reliance, and equal access for everyone. Food security is vital to the health and well-being of a community and is the foundation for healthy eating.
– BC Healthy Communities Society and Healthy Families BC
This housing guide supports local governments of rural and urban communities across British Columbia as they create active, healthy and thriving places for all people.
This guide is for local governments across the province working to create healthy, equitable natural spaces.
How do local governments improve health and community well–being?
This tool is a conversation starter for local government staff looking for efficient and clear processes to successfully implement healthy community policies. Use it to help guide decision-making as you work towards a healthier community for all.
Active living can have broad community benefits, including the prevention of chronic disease, mental illness, falls and other injuries; improving social and community connectedness; reducing carbon emissions; increasing productivity; and improving overall quality of life.
This resource is to support local governments across British Columbia as they work to reduce youth access and exposure to vapour products. With the rising popularity of vaping, young people have gained access to these products, and rates of youth vaping are increasing rapidly. This resource provides data about youth vaping in B.C., examples of how local governments in B.C. have used their regulatory authority to reduce youth access and exposure, and further links, reading and resources to support local governments on this topic.
New! Updated for 2018.
How can local governments support social connectedness in communities?
Listen to the recording of our 2018 Social Connectedness webinar.
How can local governments decrease the harmful impact of tobacco use in communities?
The majority of British Columbians are non-smokers: 85% of BC residents do not smoke.
However, tobacco use remains the single most preventable cause of death and disease in Canada. It kills approximately 6,000 British Columbians each year, despite BC having the lowest smoking rate in Canada.
