Healthy Development

Children 4-12 years
(Elementary School-aged)

Promoting the healthy development of children and helping them to reach their full potential – both key goals for the province. The Department of Health and Wellness supports many strategies across the lifespan and in homes, schools, and communities. We strive to create healthy public policies, standards, programs and services that will promote and protect the health of Nova Scotian children now and in the future.

Presently, approximately 30% of children in Nova Scotia are either overweight or obese and most children are not meeting the recommended level of daily physical activity. Statistics like these led us to develop and support initiatives such as Health Promoting Schools, the Healthy Foods at School Policy and the Tobacco Free policy.

As well, local Public Health Services offer the following publicly funded health initiatives.

• Health Promoting Schools
• Enhanced Vision Screening Program
• Fluoride Mouthrinse Program
• Immunization
• Sexual Health and Puberty
• Healthy Eating
• Safety and Injury Prevention
• Tobacco
• Physical Activity
• Mental Health