BC's largest population health survey, the SPEAK survey, has been extended and will remain open until July 31 to help boost participation.
According to a media release from Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), people living throughout the VCH region can have a say in shaping the health programs and services in their communities by participating in the survey on population experiences, action, and knowledge (SPEAK) survey and sharing their experiences over the past few years. The release stated that since the survey launched on April 25, the response has been strong in urban centres, however, more information is needed from smaller and rural communities in the region, and from people who are typically under-represented in survey data.
“Understanding the experiences of rural communities, different ethnicities, and people with lower income and education is really important, and it helps to ensure that support and services are available where they're most needed," stated Dr. Moliehi Khaketla, VCH medical health officer. “We hope with the extra time, more people will be able to complete the survey.”
According to Deana Lancaster, VCH communications leader, public health, VCH is especially interested in people from qathet region and the Sunshine Coast participating in the survey.
The release stated that to date, more than 80,000 people in BC have completed the survey and organizers are hoping to hear from 120,000 people of all backgrounds and from all over the province, particularly from under-represented groups, where participation levels are lower, such as: first nations, Métis and Inuit people; people from racialized communities including those of Chinese, South and Southeast Asian, Black, Filipino, Latin American, Arab, and more; people living in rural parts of the province; men aged 18 to 34; people aged 75 and older; people with no post-secondary education; people with lower household incomes; people with children and young adults in their lives.
The survey asks how people living in BC are doing when it comes to their social, economic, physical health, mental health, and overall well-being, so the survey sponsors can better support communities across the province, the release stated. These types of population health assessments help inform public health interventions, practices, and policies. Previous survey findings have informed policy and programming priorities, including the reopening plans and safe return to school for kindergarten to grade 12, to target vaccine interventions in areas with low uptake and initiatives aimed at improving mental wellness in children and youth, according to the release.
The survey takes around 20 minutes to fill out and can be accessed at bccdc.ca/SpeakSurvey on any tablet, computer, or mobile device. It’s open to all British Columbians 18 years of age and older, can be completed anonymously, and is available online in English, Punjabi, simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, French, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese, the release stated.
Members of the public are also encouraged to share the survey with their family and loved ones and help them participate as needed.
In the VCH region, residents 19 or older who complete the survey can enter to win prizes, including four pairs of Apple AirPods Pro (second generation), and gift cards for Best Buy, Save-On-Foods, London Drugs, iTunes, and more. Rules and regulations are here: vch.ca/en/speaksurvey.
