Cardiovascular Health Action Association
Mission
TheCardiovascular Health Action Association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to fight the high prevalence of obesity and its cardiovascular complications among children and families by developing concrete solutions to this problem.
Our goals
HEALTHY CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Deploy the Approach 180 by establishing care programs and activities enabling children and families to receive the services they need to prevent or manage obesity and other non-communicable diseases through healthy lifestyle education.
TRAINED PROFESSIONALS
Implement educational and awareness programs, based on the Approach 180, dedicated to all actors of the health sector and sectors concerned by the problematic of obesity and other non-communicable diseases, in order to provide them with standardized knowledge and skills in preventive and global health based on a healthy lifestyle.
The cause
Since 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations (UN) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have increased their efforts to defeat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes type 2, cardiovascular complications and certain cancers through recommendations for the implementation of programs intended to fight a neglected pandemic: obesity. Despite these efforts, the children of the current generation are the first whose life expectancy, for the first time, will decrease by 3 years.
Globally, in 2018, the WHO reported that more than 340 million children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 live with obesity and almost 40 million children under 5 years suffer from this pandemic disease. Globally, approximately 13% of the adult population suffers from obesity, representing 650 million individuals worldwide. The prevalence of obesity has tripled globally since 1975.
Long stigmatized as a reversible consequence of personal choices and responsibilities, obesity has complex genetic, physiological, socio-economic and environmental causes. Its high prevalence is the result of societal responsibility.
In order to overcome this new millennium challenge, these three organizations (WHO, UN, OECD) have declared that governments, wherever they are, will not win this battle without the support of industry, foundations and commercial enterprises. They call for valuable partnerships to educate, transform the healthcare offer and ensure healthier families around the world.
Our story
2011: Approach 180 pilot project in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean
It was in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean that Dr. Julie St-Pierre started Approach 180 , inspired by the “Let's Move” program of the former American first lady, Michelle Obama. Accompanied by a multidisciplinary team, they started the pilot project of the Approach 180 we know today.
2013: Official creation of the Réseau d’action en Santé Cardiovasculaire
Official creation of the Cardiovascular Health Action Association, the charitable organization that will support concrete action to fight obesity and deploy Approach 180.
2017: Opening of the Clinic 180 in Montreal
Supported by Chicoutimi pediatricians in pursuing the mission in Saguenay-Lac-St-Jeau, Dr. St-Pierre and the RASC team deploy Approach 180 and open a community clinic on Plateau Mont-Royal in Montreal . In addition to treating youths and their families with the Approach 180 program, the facility offers a training center for healthcare professionals.
2017-2020: Center of Excellence in Childhood Obesity-Foundation of Stars
The Plateau Mont-Royal clinic becomes the headquarters of the Center for Excellence in Childhood Obesity - Foundation of Stars, whose main objective is to bring together and support the best researchers and professionals from all fields relating to the problem of childhood obesity.
2018: Hosting the 1st Forum on the problematic of obesity among young people
Hosting the 1st Forum on the problematic of obesity among young people , a major event which brought together nearly 100 of the best researchers and professionals from all fields affected by the problem of childhood obesity. This event made it possible to identify the main directions of research and interventions for the years to come.
2019: Deployment of Approach 180 in Quebec
Further deployment of Approche 180. Thanks to a dedicated fund, the Cité Médicale in Sainte-Foy has started to apply Approach 180 to support young people and families in the Quebec City area.
2021: Opening of the Maison de Santé Prévention-Approach 180 in Montreal
In Montreal, Approach 180 now operates under a new care organization, the Maison de Santé Prévention . A group of professionals working in multidisciplinarity, offering services and care oriented towards health and prevention aimed at the acquisition of healthy lifestyle habits for the whole family and intergenerational.
2021: Publication of the book Redonner la santé à toute la famille
Publication of the book Redonner la santé à toute la famille. The first work by Dr. St-Pierre, making Approach 180 accessible to everyone, at their own pace.
2022: Launch of the Lifestyle Interdisciplinary educative chair
Supported by a philanthropic donation, the RASC announces the official launch of the Lifestyle Interdisciplinary educative chair. The main objective of this chair is to offer health, social and education professionals and students a standardized and innovative online training program that meets best practices in obesity and other non-communicable diseases. Implementation of the program is scheduled for early 2024.
2022: Deployment of the Approach 180 adult program
Implementation of the first-ever Approche 180 adult care program at the Maison de Santé Prévention. This program not only provides a continuum of care for young people treated at Approche 180, but also for parents wishing to improve their health and their family's health.
2023: 10th anniversary of the RASC
The RASC celebrates its 10th anniversary . 10 years of innovation, expertise and support allowing young people and families in Quebec to choose a healthy future.
