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South Canterbury has a population of 54,000, and includes the Timaru, Waimate and Mackenzie Districts, between the Rangitata and Waitaki rivers. According to the 2006 Census, the population is predominately Pakeha with less than 20% of other ethnic backgrounds including 6% Maori. The region has a higher percentage of older people (18%) than the national average, and nearly 1 in 3 people in South Canterbury live in rural areas, nearly twice the level for the rest of New Zealand.
Community and Public Health staff based in Timaru, provide a range of public health services across the district. Their work particularly reflects the South Canterbury District Health Board's (SCDHB) second strategic priority "to improve the population's health status", with key focus areas on lifestyle, cancer, child and adolescent health, and reducing inequalities.
A recent major initiative has been the development of WAVE (Well-being and Vitality in Education); a programme of intersectoral activities aimed at creating and supporting healthier environments for South Canterbury children and young people. WAVE is unique to South Canterbury in that it supports and enhances health promotion activities across the education sector, ranging from Early Childhood Centres to tertiary providers. It incorporates the Fruit in Schools and Active Schools programmes.
Two Health Protection Officers work in the following areas within the community:
The health promotion staff work in the areas of Nutrition, Physical Activity, Mental Health, Sexual Health, Maori Health and promote Smokefree environments and responsible alcohol and drug behaviours.
The Timaru office also has a Community Health Information Centre on site, providing a range of health education resources from the Ministry of Health and other providers.
Links
South Canterbury District Health Board
Environment Canterbury (Regional Council)
Timaru District Council
MacKenzie District Council
Waimate District Council
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