The Sun Country Health Region ended the 2004-2005 financial year in the black and even managed a slight surplus, according to the region's annual report for 2004-2005.

"The RHA is proud to report that, for the third straight year, the Sun Country Health Region has achieved a balanced budget and sustained current levels of programs and services for our clients," said CEO Lee Spencer.

The health region's financial statements show an extremely slight surplus of $6,012 left over in their general operating fund after deducting expenses from revenue.

Originally, Sun Country had budgeted for revenues and expenses of $91.57 million. However, actual revenue was $93.42 million, and actual expenses were $93.414 million.

Saskatchewan Health's General Revenue Fund contributed a bigger piece of the pie this year, giving Sun Country roughly $81.23 million. That compares to $77.1 million in 2004.

While some areas of revenue were down, such as out-of-province and out-of-country revenue, other areas were significantly higher, such as donations. (Sun Country budgeted for roughly $25,000, but received nearly $450,000.)

In general, expenses were either slightly less or slightly higher than Sun Country budgeted for, but there were no excessive differences. The one exception, however, was supportive care services, where Sun Country spent roughly $2 million more than they budgeted.

Besides finances, the annual report listed a number of major developments within the region in 2004-2005.

A landmark for the Sun Country Health Region this year was the move into the Tatagwa View long-term care facility and regional head office.

The $22.24 million facility is the first building in Sun Country to be constructed around the Eden Philosophy, which advocates a home-like environment. Construction began in July 2003, and the building was occupied earlier this year.

The annual report shows that Sun Country contributed roughly $7.17 million towards the facility, and Saskatchewan Health a total of $15 million. Of that amount, $520,621 remains to be raised by Sun Country.

This year also saw the creation of the Population Health Promotion Action Plan in September to address substance use and abuse, mental well-being, active communities and accessible nutritious foods.

Sun Country also received grant funding in 2004 to address nutrition and physical activity at the school level. Following a needs assessment of area schools, Sun Country is developing a program called "Body Walk," an interactive educational environment that helps children learn about the body's functions and maintaining good health.

Promoting physical activity and nutrition is a growing focus within the health region because of increasing inactivity and obesity rates.

In 2003, approximately 53 per cent of Sun Country's population over 12 was considered as physically inactive. As well, 34 per cent of the population is considered overweight according to the Body Mass Index (BMI), and 25 per cent are considered obese.

(It should be noted that, while BMI is still a good standard for judging weight, it is no longer used as the sole determinant of a person's physical fitness.)

In 2004, the Sun Country Health Region managed to escape an abundance of West Nile activity due to an unusually cool summer - there were only two cases of West Nile in the entire region.

Throughout the season, Sun Country Health Region inspectors worked with SaskHealth to co-ordinate the weekly collection of mosquito samples from Weyburn, Estevan, Coronach, Bengough and Stoughton. The program is much the same in 2005, except the Stoughton sampling station is now in Oxbow.

Public health inspectors were also designated tobacco enforcement officers with the implementation of the Tobacco Control Act at the beginning of 2005.

Approximately 23.7 per cent of residents over 12 are daily or occasional smokers, roughly the same as the provincial rate.

Though smoking is now prohibited in all enclosed public places, exposure to second-hand smoke is still an issue. About 12 per cent of residents report being exposed to second-hand smoke at home, 16 per cent in vehicles, and 25.4 per cent in public places.

Other major initiatives of the health region in 2004-2005 were the development of a new long-term care placement process, the addition of three new vaccines to the provincial immunization program and the creation of a catalogue of services that are needed at the region's various facilities, which will hopefully assist with future capital planning.

"Demands for capital dollars will continue to be stressed in the region in the years to come," said Spencer in a release.

Other statistics within the report show the population of the region (now 54,000 people) is decreasing at a rate of 6.6 per cent over five years. The provincial population decreased by 1.1 per cent during that same period.

Between 1993 and 2002, the leading causes of death for Sun Country residents were coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, lung cancer, pneumonia, prostate cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Accidental falls comprise a large percentage of injury hospitalizations, approximately 53 per cent of women and 40 per cent of seniors.