Content Map Terms

Health Features

Health features highlight common health concerns that affect British Columbians. They provide an overview of the topic and direct you to related resources and services.

Topics include seasonal information, disease outbreaks and health programs. You will also find topics that address mental health or substance use information.

Some health features are also available in Chinese, Farsi, French, Korean, Punjabi, Spanish and Vietnamese.

See the list of health features, below.

Information in this Section

Seasonal

  • Back to School
    Whether your child is starting school for the first time or getting ready to graduate it is important that they stay safe and create healthy habits.
  • Beat the Heat
    Overheating during hot weather can harm your health and cause heat related-illnesses.
  • Lighten Up Your Holiday Recipes
    Choose healthy fats and limit the amount of salt and sugar you use.
  • Summer Food Safety
    The risk of food poisoning can increase during the summer months. Avoid getting sick by being prepared.
  • Wildfires and Your Health
    Learn about B.C. wildfires, preparing for an emergency, air quality, food and water safety, evacuation information, and more.
  • Your Health This Fall
    Learn what you can do to stay safe and healthy during the fall season.
  • Your Health This Spring
    Spending time outdoors this spring? Learn about bug bites or stings, staying safe in the wilderness, seasonal allergies, and more.
  • Your Health This Summer
    It’s the season for picnics, hiking, camping, swimming, boating and more! Learn what you can do to stay safe and healthy this summer.
  • Your Health This Winter
    Make healthy eating choices over the holidays, keep active and stay safe when it’s cold outside, and learn what you can do to stay healthy during flu season.

Illnesses and Conditions

  • Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD)
    Learn about symptoms and treatment of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD).
  • Complex Chronic Diseases
    Many Canadians are affected by complex chronic diseases.
  • Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
    BC's provincial health officer has declared COVID-19 a public health emergency. Find information about COVID-19, how to protect yourself, your family and your community.
  • Ebola Virus Disease
    Ebola virus disease is a very severe disease which originates in wild animals most often in remote villages of Central and West Africa.
  • Enterovirus D68
    Enterovirus D68 is a rare enterovirus that causes mild to severe respiratory illness.
  • Influenza (Flu) Season
    Are you prepared for flu season? Learn how to stay healthy during the Influenza (Flu) season.
  • Mycobacterium chimaera infection
    one of a group of common bacteria that sometimes cause lung infections or severe illness in people with weakened immune systems.
  • Severe Allergic Reaction (Anaphylaxis)
    Learn about the symptoms and the steps to follow when someone has a severe allergic reaction.
  • Understanding Asthma
    Learn about asthma symptoms and treatments.
  • Understanding Measles
    Measles is a very serious and contagious disease. Because of immunization, measles is now a rare disease in Canada.
  • Whooping Cough
    Whooping cough is a serious infection of the airways. It spreads easily when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or is in close contact with others.
  • Zika Virus Facts and Resources
    Zika virus infection is caused by a virus which is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.

Substance Use

  • Alcohol and Other Drug Use During Pregnancy
    When you are pregnant, the safest option is to not drink alcohol or take drugs at all.
  • Be Drug Smart
    Drug-related overdoses and deaths are a serious concern. Be drug smart if you are taking or planning on taking drugs, or know someone who takes drugs.
  • Cannabis
    Learn how cannabis can impact the health of you and your family.
  • Vaping
    Electronic cigarettes may cause health risks and have not been fully evaluated for safety and quality by Health Canada.

Health Planning and Information

  • Planning for Advanced Care
    Advance care planning is the process of thinking about and writing down your wishes or instructions about future health care treatment.
  • No CPR Form
    The No CPR Form provides you with a legal option that no CPR be provided by a health care provider or first responder.
  • Your Health Information
    Get secure online access to your health information when and where you need it.

Health Promotion and Treatment

Health and Safety

  • Concussion
    A concussion can happen to anyone, anywhere, and at any time. Learn how to prevent concussion, identify signs and treat concussion.
  • Elder Abuse
    Abuse and neglect in later life can affect a person’s health, happiness and safety.