Fletcher Tables first annual report of the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada

June 19, 2008

OTTAWA, OTTAWA — Today the first annual report of the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, Dr. David Butler-Jones, was tabled in Parliament by Steven Fletcher, MP for Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia and Parliamentary Secretary for Health.

The report is an assessment of the state of public health in Canada, and was prepared to take a broad look at the overall health of Canadians as well as disparities in health and other issues.

“While most Canadians enjoy good to excellent health, as a result of social, economic and environmental factors, some Canadians are less healthy than others", said Butler-Jones in reporting on the State of Public Health in Canada. “There are many things we can do ― both individually and collectively ― to create the conditions that are the foundation of good health. I would like this Report to start a discussion among all Canadians on how we can move forward to build on Canada’s successes in addressing health inequalities.”

The Report identifies Canadians’ income, education, environment; health behaviours (including diet and exercise); and social supports from family, friends and communities among the variety of factors determining how healthy we are.

The Report’s recommendations include:

• Build recognition among Canadians of the importance of disease prevention and health promotion;
• Build on public policies in key support areas that will ensure Canadians have equal opportunities for health and well-being; and
• Understand that economic and social environments are linked to health.
  

Dr. Butler-Jones added: “The good news is that different jurisdictions and sectors — including the public health sector — have been working together and independently, applying the growing knowledge and experience of what affects our health and quality of life to reduce social and health inequalities. If we work together as a nation to leverage the knowledge, experience, and expertise gained from our successes, I am confident that we can give all Canadians the opportunity for good health and well-being.”

The report cites examples of successful programs, such as the Cape Breton Island Eskasoni Primary Care Project, which came as a result of a community decision to manage its own health care. The results of the project are :

• A collaborative and broadly-based steering committee coming together to build a new health centre to allow programs and services to be housed under one roof, and physician and other related services to be revamped;
• Annual visits to the family doctor decreasing from a high of 11 visits per year to approximately 4; trips to the outpatient/ emergency department at the regional hospital decreasing 40 per cent and, with fewer trips off reserve for care, medical transportation costs reduced by $200,000 in the three-year period after the centre was opened.
  

To view the entire Report or the Report-at-a-glance, please visit: www.publichealth.gc.ca/chiefpublichealthofficer

The position of Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) of Canada was created in 2004 when the Public Health Agency of Canada was established. The CPHO's role is to:

• Provide leadership to the Public Health Agency of Canada;
• Provide advice to the Minister of Health and, as appropriate, work with other federal departments and agencies, provincial/territorial and municipal governments, the international community, the public health community and Canadians on public health issues;
• Assume the role of the federal government spokesperson on public health issues, in particular during public health emergencies; and
• Play a leadership/advocacy role in national public health matters and citizen engagement in public health.