Community Health Connect  is the Calgary West Central Primary Care Network's newsletter dedicated to providing members of our community with the latest healthcare information.

In this issue:

• Walk this way: Your prescription to get active 
• A dietitian's guide: Tips for making back-to-school lunches your kids will enjoy
• Your voice matters: Volunteer with the Patient Advisory Council

Walk this way: Your prescription to get active

Did you know? Studies reveal that written prescriptions are better received than verbal advice in motivating people to make a change. 

 Prescription to Get Active  (RxTGA) is exactly as it sounds: A prescription that helps you get more physically active. This motivational tool helps break down barriers and encourages us to discover new activity options. 

Prescription to Get Active can help you explore activities, such as ways to get moving in the city, but also connect you to facilities for a free trial and online resources to encourage activity and movement. 

Whether you are new to being active or are getting back on track, we hope you’ll check out the outdoor spaces in our city or ask your family doctor if they are a prescriber with Prescription to Get Active.

You don’t have to wait to start getting active! Yisel Perez Batista, one of our Mental Health Program Coordinators, shares her love of walking on the Elbow River Pathway as a great activity idea to help anyone get active.

Walking outdoors isn’t just a leisure activity; it’s a powerful way to boost your health and well-being. Several pathways in Calgary invite us to enjoy the city's natural beauty; probably one of the most popular is the Elbow River Pathway.

The Elbow River Pathway begins where the Elbow River and Bow River meet, just east of downtown Calgary. From there, it extends southward for approximately 11 kilometres.

The pathway offers a mix of paved sections, grassy areas, and wooded stretches. It’s a great spot for running, cycling, hiking, rollerblading, and skateboarding. While it’s a popular trail, you can still find moments of solitude, especially during quieter times of the day.

Five health benefits of outdoor walking are:

1. Physical fitness: Walking briskly outdoors provides a great cardiovascular workout, helping to strengthen your heart, improve circulation, and boost overall fitness levels.
2. Mental clarity: Spending time in nature has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. The sights and sounds of the outdoors can help clear your mind and improve mental well-being.
3. Vitamin D boost: Walking in sunlight allows your body to naturally produce vitamin D, which is essential for bone health and immune function.
4. Weight management: Regular walking can aid in maintaining a healthy weight by burning calories and boosting metabolism.
5. Social connection: Walking with friends and family, or joining walking groups, fosters social interaction, which is crucial for mental and emotional health.

Walking outdoors along the Elbow River Pathway or any scenic trail offers numerous health benefits, from physical fitness to mental well-being. So, grab your walking shoes, soak in the beauty around you, and embark on a journey to better health through outdoor walking. Happy trails!

A dietitian's guide: Tips for making back-to-school lunches your kids will enjoy

Packing healthy lunches kids will actually eat can be a difficult task for parents and caregivers during the upcoming back-to-school season.

Balanced meals are an important part of fuelling minds and bodies, but it can be hard to juggle enjoyment with nutrition.

Dietitians from Alberta Primary Care Networks share their tips for making back-to-school lunches nutritious, delicious, and enjoyable.

Read all the tips in the latest article on albertafindadoctor.com. 

Your voice matters: Volunteer with the Patient Advisory Council

 Join our Patient Advisory Council  and make a difference for patients and families throughout our region. We are looking for volunteers to join the council for our PCN — the Calgary West Central Primary Care Network.

Our Patient Advisory Council involves members of our community in initiatives to ensure patients and families are true partners in primary care.

What is the purpose of the council?

• Share your views and ideas on how we can improve our current and future programs and services for patients and families.
• Help us understand the needs and preferences of different kinds of patients, especially those who may face barriers or challenges in getting the care they need.
• Advise us on how we can work better with other healthcare providers in our area to make sure patients and families get the best care possible.

If you have ideas to help improve our PCN or know someone who might, please visit our recently revised website for details and share the information with people you know.

If you have feedback on any health topics you would like to learn or read more about, please contact us directly at hello@cwcpcn.com.

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