Investing in whole health

Taking action toward whole health and wellness requires each of us to have access to, understand and use health information. That’s why Saskatchewan Blue Cross proudly supports organizations and initiatives working to improve health literacy in communities across Saskatchewan.

What is health literacy?

The formal definition:

“The degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.”

Health literacy is a targeted approach to community wellness that allows one to impact change on a fundamental level. Saskatchewan Blue Cross understands that healthy communities are prosperous communities, and that individual wellness can be improved by informed decision making.  Unfortunately, not everyone has the same access to information and services, nor do they have the same capacity to understand it.

Take a moment to consider:

• How well do you understand our healthcare system?
• Would you know where to go for help if you or a loved one was having a mental health crisis?
• Have you ever struggled to understand a medical diagnosis or prescribed recovery process?
• Put yourself in the shoes of a new Canadian citizen, who may not speak fluent English or a senior citizen who may not have the tools to research online.
• Imagine living in a remote location without access to a family physician, where doctors from outside the community are only available on a sporadic fly-in basis.
• How do you separate fact from fiction when researching health information online?

These are all challenges that affect our ability to make positive health and wellness choices. The Community Investment program’s goal is to create strategic partnerships to support tools and resources that will help close health literacy gaps within Saskatchewan.

We invest in health literacy partnerships that focus on:

1. Health and wellness education or issues awareness
2. Health and wellness access
3. Health and wellness advancement (technology, practice, innovation, research)

For charitable organizations who are advancing the overall health and wellbeing of Saskatchewan residents. Saskatchewan Blue Cross is here to help by providing support and funds.

We invest in Community Health & Wellbeing partnerships with a focus on:

1. Health Services
2. Volunteerism

Organizations that honour diversity and inclusion and foster an inclusive, equitable and accessible community where everyone can feel valued, respected and supported, while having the freedom and protection to be who they are, free of discrimination, harassment, and violence is what Saskatchewan Blue Cross stands with.