Strengthening the Forces is a health promotion program designed to assist Canadian Forces (CF) members, Regular and Primary Reserve, to take control of their health and well-being. Maintaining a high level of health improves one's ability to perform effectively and safely on CF operations, and to enjoy a high quality of life. Some programs are also available to families and other members of the Defence Team.
Hasn't this program been around for years?
Health promotion in the CF has been carried out under the title "Strengthening the Forces" for several years. This program has taken that work and expanded and adapted it to meet the needs of the CF community in the 21st century.
How is this program different?
Strengthening the Forces is a joint initiative of Force Health Protection (FHP) and the Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency (CFPSA).
A core of FHP health promotion experts carry out the research, design and evaluation of health promotion programs. The programs focus on the traditional areas of nutrition, weight management and addiction as well as on new areas such as injury prevention and stress management.
CFPSA delivers these programs through 70 Health Promotion Directors and Managers located at bases and wings across Canada and in Europe. More than just program delivery, the job of these Health Promotion Directors and Managers is to identify and respond to the health promotion needs of their community.