Oceanside Health & Wellness Network

In October 2013, a group of stakeholders came together to discuss health and well-being in the Oceanside region. They decided to form a group that would invite the community to identify and address health-related issues together. This group evolved to become the Oceanside Health and Wellness Network (OHWN).

OHWN is committed to working together to enhance the health and well-being of Oceanside residents with a focus on the determinants of health. We work collaboratively and take collective action on strategic priorities.

Our shared vision is:

To respectfully work together to advance the health and wellbeing of the population of Oceanside. By addressing factors that influence health and other complex issues that would benefit from collaboration, we can speak as one voice on these issues.

Regional Map / list of communities

The Oceanside Region includes the municipalities of Parksville and Qualicum Beach and four electoral areas of the Regional District of Nanaimo. The geographic area encompasses two urban centres and several small waterfront and rural communities stretching from Nanoose Bay, Errington/Coombs to Deep Bay/Bowser. The Oceanside Region is aligned with the boundaries of School District 69 and Local Health Area 69 (Qualicum). The total population of this region is 45,291 (2011 Census).

The Regional District of Nanaimo is administering funding from Island Health for the Oceanside Health and Wellness Network. This includes $15,000 of seed funding and support for a part-time coordinator.

Oceanside Region

Determinants of Health

Our lifestyle choices do affect our health, but often these choices are influenced by factors that are larger than ourselves. These are often referred to as the Determinants of Health, and they include cultural, socio-economic, and environmental factors including:

  • Income and Social Status
  • Social Support Networks
  • Education and Literacy
  • Employment and Working Conditions
  • Social and Physical Environments
  • Personal Health Practices and Coping Skills
  • Health Child Development
  • Biology and Genetic Endowment
  • Health Services
  • Gender
  • Culture
These factors are complex. Community health networks have a unique role to take action on the determinants of health to improve the overall health of the community.

Source: Public Health Agency of Canada

Do you want to learn more about the Determinants of Health? Visit our Links page