OPHA supports Ontario's health professionals, volunteers and community agencies with the skills and knowledte to help prevent cardiovascular disease.

Heart Health Resource Centre (HHRC)

HHRC was founded at OPHA in 1993 in order to support the learning needs of the Community partnerships working within the Ontario Heart Health Program. Over the years, it has developed tools and training to improve the skills, knowledge and a critical mass of expertise in community-based chronic disease prevention programming. Its mission is to enhance the capacity of public health agencies and their community partners to implement comprehensive, multi-risk factor, community-based chronic disease prevention programs. The HHRC is a member of the Ontario Health Promotion Resource System.

HHRC in Action…

  • Provides training and development opportunities via symposia, workshops and webinars to Heart Health Coordinators, their community partners, public health units, NGO’s, government representatives and other health promoters to enhance their ability to lead quality interventions in their communities.
  • Facilitates on-site consultations according to the needs of community partnerships to increase their capacity to develop and deliver effective, community-based chronic disease prevention strategies.
  • Provides one-on-one, skill-building coaching support for Heart Health Coordinators.
  • Produces relevant and timely resources, such as a website, newsletter series and manuals that contribute to increased knowledge and skills.
  • Provides support to the Ontario Heart Health Network and participates on a variety of provincial advisory committees related to chronic disease prevention.

Impact

HHRC is proud of its strong 14 year track record of improving the capacity of health promoters and their community partners to be leaders and advocates for healthy public policy in chronic disease prevention. The HHRC has accomplished this by innovatively adapting to an ever-changing environment and community health priorities.