Igah Sanguya wants people to make the best possible choices for their health, and she tries to give them the information they need to do that.

As a community health representative (CHR) in Clyde River, she promotes monthly health themes SA国际影视传媒� January reviewed the dangers of tobacco while February is sexual health month. There are also periodic weeks devoted to other conditions such as Alzheimer's and mental health awareness.

She can be heard on local radio weekly, reading Department of Health advisories pertaining to the flu or vaccinations, for example. She also answers people's health questions during a radio call-in show.

SA国际影视传媒淲hen people call in and say, 'I didn't know that. Thanks for telling me that,' stuff like that... really gets me wanting to do more,SA国际影视传媒� said Sanguya.

Another of her responsibilities is visiting new mothers to give out baby boxes that contain items like diapers, toiletries, clothing and books. She also shares knowledge on how to avoid sudden infant death syndrome.

Among the general health tips that Sanguya considers to be most important for all Nunavummiut are to eat nutritious foods SA国际影视传媒� country foods among them SA国际影视传媒� get enough rest and avoid smoking, SA国际影视传媒渨hich is often very hard to do,SA国际影视传媒� she acknowledged in regards to cigarette addiction.

Therefore she finds satisfaction in small victories.

SA国际影视传媒淚f I talk about smoking and one person quits, that's a big plus for me, just one person,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淥r if I see a child coughing and he or she coughs into his elbow, that's a plus for me. Little things like that gets me up.SA国际影视传媒�

Clyde River has one of the highest immunization rates in the territory and Sanguya is gratified by that as well.

SA国际影视传媒淭hat's what I like,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Constantly dispensing advice means Sanguya feels some pressure to set an example. When she lets her guard down, she can get caught.

SA国际影视传媒淥ne time I was at the store and behind me there was a young girl. I was buying a can of pop and some chocolate bars for myself. She said, 'You eat that? You eat that? Really?'SA国际影视传媒� Sanguya recalled with a laugh. SA国际影视传媒淵ou have to be really careful what you do yourself when you teach the importance of eating well.SA国际影视传媒�

Sanguya, who fills one of 30 CHR positions across Nunavut, transitioned from a clerk/interpreter role with the Department of Health to a CHR. That former job gave her some valuable background and exposure.

SA国际影视传媒淚t really helped me because I knew medical (terminology) by then. It really helped my position right now,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Because medical science is forever evolving and best practices change, CHRs take part in monthly teleconferences and sometimes participate in tele-health sessions to update them on new developments.

SA国际影视传媒淏eing in a medical place is very rewarding. I'd like to tell young people out there who are thinking about a medical (career), please pursue it,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚t takes time... go to school, do what you like to do, pursue it and it's rewarding.SA国际影视传媒�