VCH aims to boost responses to SPEAK Survey

People living throughout the province can have a say in shaping the health programs and services in their region by participating in the Survey on Population Experiences, Action, and Knowledge (SPEAK) survey and sharing their experiences over the past few years.

“Our goal is to learn what supports are needed to promote health and reduce inequities — especially with groups at greater risk of poorer health outcomes who have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic,” said Dr. Mark Lysyshyn, Deputy Chief Medical Health Officer for VCH. “We really want to hear from people who are typically under-represented in survey data; we hope the extra time will allow more people to participate.”

Together with the BC Centre for Disease Control and health authorities across the province, we launched the third round of SPEAK on April 25. To date, more than 80,000 people have responded and we are hoping to hear from 120,000 people of all backgrounds and from all over the province, particularly from underrepresented 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; and
• • people with children and young adults in their lives.

The survey asks how people living in B.C. are doing when it comes to their social, economic, physical health, mental health, and overall well-being, so we can better support communities across the province. These type 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.

The survey takes around 20 minutes to fill out and can be accessed at www.bccdc.ca/SpeakSurvey on any tablet, computer, or mobile device. It’s open to all British Columbians 18 years of age and older, takes approximately 20 minutes, can be completed anonymously, and is available online in English, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

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+ who complete the survey can enter to win prizes, including four pairs of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) and gift cards for Best Buy, Save On Foods, London Drugs, iTunes, and more. Rules and regulations are here: https://www.vch.ca/en/speaksurvey.

The SPEAK survey is funded by the BCCDC Foundation for Public Health.

Vancouver Coastal Health is committed to delivering exceptional care to 1.2 million people, including the First Nations, Métis and Inuit in our region, within the traditional territories of the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo-Xai'xais, Lil'wat, Musqueam, N'Quatqua, Nuxalk, Samahquam, shíshálh, Skatin, Squamish, Tla'amin, Tsleil-Waututh, Wuikinuxv, and Xa'xtsa. VCH is British Columbia’s hub of health-care innovation, research and academic excellence, providing specialized care to patients throughout the province. Learn more at vch.ca.

Vancouver Coastal Health
media@vch.ca
604.202.2012 (after-hours)