The New Brunswick Lung Association has identified vulnerabilities of our health, environmental, and social systems, that have been exemplified by COVID-19 pandemic. These vulnerabilities are the result of many decades where economic growth has been more important than health, wellbeing, and environmental balance. As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, we see an historical opportunity to advocate for policy reform in key areas with a goal to reduce the inequities that underlie poor health.

We are welcoming you to review our recommendations in the attached white paper, and your sign on as a supporter of any recommendation, a whole pillar, or the whole document. If you would like to lead any one area of these recommendations we are completely open to collaboration and to following your lead.

This advocacy campaign is lead by our new Foundation for Resilient Health, which is built on the strong foundation of the Canadian Network for Human Health and the Environment (a subsidiary of the New Brunswick Lung Association). The Foundation for resilient health expands on our work with health professionals, health and environment organizations, and on our expertise in environmental health. The Foundation for Resilient Health springboards from this history, trust, and evidence-based expertise, into the realm of promoting the key pillars of resilient health.

The four pillars for action laid out in our attached White Paper include:

• Our Natural Environment - protecting our natural support system
• Climate Change - recognizing the existential threat posed by climate change and taking immediate action
• Public Health and Wellness - shifting the health care focus to wellness and illness prevention
• Economy - improving financial equity in Canada

Our pillars and recommendations were developed following consultation with many key experts across Canada and are founded in scientific evidence. We have engaged the services of a national lobbyist to help us bring these issues to the attention of our Members of Parliament and we will work with our elected officials to achieve change in these areas. Some recommendations can be achieved in the short term; others will take perhaps years of engagement.

We invite you to read our White Paper that forms the backbone of our advocacy plan. We are inviting you to let us know if some or all of our recommendations resonate with the broader goals of your organization. If you would like to add the name of your organization as a supporter of any recommendation, a whole pillar, or the whole document, please let us know. If you would like to lead any one area of these recommendations we are completely open to collaboration and to following your lead.

If you respond by signing-on we will collaborate with you as our work progresses.

To sign-on or for more information email mlangille@resilient-health.ca

Click here to see the invitation to sign-on and for more information on the Foundation for Resilient Health.