The McCreary Centre Society is a small non-profit organization concerned with the health of young people in British Columbia. Since 1977 McCreary has conducted community-based research and projects addressing current youth health issues. The society takes its name from the late Dr. J.F. McCreary, a pediatrician and medical administrator, whose leadership in promoting inter-professional teaching and multi-disciplinary approaches in health care set a standard that the society seeks to emulate.

Mission Statement

To foster wider understanding of the importance of youth health, increase knowledge about youth health needs and issues, promote a continuing commitment to youth health issues, and initiate and implement innovative projects which directly address unmet health needs of young people.

Adolescent Health Survey 2008 (AHS IV)

The Adolescent Health Survey (AHS) is a population-based survey of the health status and risk behaviours of BC adolescents. It is the largest survey of its kind in Canada and provides valuable information on the health status of BC youth.

Over 29,000 students in grades 7-12 across the province participated in the AHS IV.

> Download the report (6 MB pdf)

> Press release

> FAQ

> Methodology fact sheet

> MORE on the Adolescent Health Survey

> Order form

Adolescent Health Survey Regional reports:
Following the release of the provincial results of the BC Adolescent Health Survey, analysis of the survey at the Health Survey Delivery Area has now been completed. Data collection across the province was sufficient to allow reports to be published for 14 of the 16 HSDAs in BC. The 14 HSDA report are available in hard copy using this order form, or can be downloaded from the list below: NorthWest, Northern Interior, Thompson Cariboo Shuswap, Okanagan, Kootenay Boundary, East Kootenay, North Vancouver Island, Central Vancouver Island, South Vancouver Island, North Shore/Coast Garibaldi, Vancouver, Richmond, Fraser North, and Fraser South/Fraser East.

Adolescent Substance use and related harms in British Columbia

This 8 page bulletin using data from the 2008 Adolescent Health Survey shows that the rates of students using alcohol, marijuana or tobacco have declined over the past decade. The report is a joint publication of McCreary Centre Society and the Centre of Addictions Research of BC.

> Download the report (1.1 MB pdf)

A Seat at the Table: A Review of Youth Engagement in Vancouver (2.8 MB)

This report focuses on youth engagement in civic and community decision-making. It includes a literature review and offers different examples of involving young people in decision-making processes in Vancouver, from the perspectives of youth, service providers and funders. The report aims to offer a better understanding of the continuum of youth engagement that exists and to show the different ways that youth can be involved in decisions that affect their lives. Based on the evidence presented, the report concludes with some suggestions and check-lists for successfully engaging young people.

> Click here to view and download other reports

Events

B4
McCreary's Youth Advisory Council would like to announce that the 13th annual Breaking Barriers & Building Bridges (B4) by-youth-for-youth health conference is taking place March 19-21, 2010 at Camp Sasamaat.

This year the B4 is focusing on developing healthy relationships. Workshops will cover topics such as sexual health, overcoming violence and promoting mental health. The conference will also provide opportunities for youth to develop skills in film making. The B4 is a great opportunity for youth to build skills and also to network with youth from all over BC and to have a lot of fun. For more details or to register, please contact mccreary@mcs.bc.ca.

Website update
We are currently in the process of redesigning and updating our website. We apologies for any inconvenience in the meantime. If you cannot find something you are looking for, please email mccreary@mcs.bc.ca.