Wise MOOve Holdings is a Social Enterprise organization comprised of talented people who have a passion to make a difference in the world not matter how small or impossible it may seem. Community is at the heart of who we are and what we do.
Our mission is to reach out to the open-minded “Change Agents” across the country to engage, educate and empower them to make a difference in their lives, the lives of their families, networks, workplaces and communities.
Our purpose is to give our audience the knowledge and resources they need to make a difference.
Together we will make a difference, together we will change the world – it is not too big.

Editor's Message
When we think about health, we naturally tend to think about the health of our own bodies or the well-being of our family. Yet, how often do we give consideration to the health of our community or country? According to the World Health Organization (WHO) in a report released in 2008, social factors play an enormous role in our ability to optimize biological predisposition to good health. The report states that a child born in a suburb of Glasgow, Scotland can expect a 28 year shorter lifespan than another child only 13 kilometres away or that the life expectancy of an aboriginal Australian man is 17 years shorter than other Australian males. Research results indicate that social inequities are significant contributors to our health and longevity. Social determinants of health include basic living conditions, environment, access to health care, education, employment, poverty, being members of minorities, and cultural respect. The health of a community or even a country for that matter, goes far beyond our health care system.
Social equality or the health of a community requires the involvement of everyone—business, government and the community banding together to create balance. Communities that are unbalanced by wealth disparities face the most difficult challenges in assisting those attempting to climb the social grade. The theory is that those near the top of the social grade have less distance to travel to get to the top than those that are closer to the bottom. Factors such as nutritious foods, clean water and air, good jobs, housing, access to health information and health care all play important roles in determining how well we truly are. Why should you care if your neighbour is lower on the social gradient than you are? Because it costs you tax dollars to raise him/her up the scale. Statistics consistently show that those who are lowest on the social gradient are the heaviest users of our health system. How long can our tax-supported, free access health care system continue with an aging population?
The WHO cites fairness and equity across all levels of society, regardless of socioeconomic status, gender or culture. Nordic countries for example encourage equitable access to benefits and services, full employment, gender equality and low tolerance to social exclusion. The report
indicates that heart disease is not a result of insufficient medical attention but rather due largely to poor lifestyle habits. Diabetes for example, is as much a product of people’s environment as it is their genetic predisposition; take away their access to fast, fatty and unhealthy foods and they may never present disease.
What is the answer to addressing health inequities in Canada? Disease prevention, promotion, education and knowledge transfer to all levels of society regardless of position on the social gradient. Businesses should be implementing corporate sustainability policies, government should seek better governance strategies, and we as the public can share—share our knowledge, information and resources with others. We need to learn to “lift up” instead of “put down.” Above all, we must work together to create social equity in Canada. Whether we live in rural Canada or the large cities, whether we are dark skinned or light, whether we are men or women, young or elderly, we all deserve to stand together at the top of the grade.

Cynthia A. Moyer
Editor-in-Chief
Open Magazine

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Cynthia A. Moyer

ART DIRECTOR
Robert Matheson

COPY EDITOR
George Zador

EDITORIAL ADVISOR
Esther Konigsberg, MD, CCFP

SALES CONSULTANT
Pat Holmlund

CHIEF TECHNOLAGY OFFICER
James A. Moyer

PHOTOGRAPHER
Robert Nolan
Cover Shot - Robert Nolan

OFFICE CO-ORDINATOR
Sheryl Moran

SPECIAL EVENT CO-ORDINATOR
Wendy Smith