No Magic Pill - Chronic disease and prevention experts call for aggressive approach to reduce inequities

    National conference addresses socio-economic factors that affect
    Canadians' health

    OTTAWA, Nov. 24 /CNW Telbec/ - Canadians are among the world's healthiest
populations, yet there are significant gaps between the health of the nation's
rich and poor.
    Chronic disease and prevention experts are gathered in Ottawa to address
socio-economic status and chronic disease at the Chronic Disease Prevention
Alliance of Canada's (CDPAC) third national congress. They are emphasizing the
need for concerted, increased focus on the current inequities that affect the
most vulnerable among us and cost billions of dollars in health care.
    "The economy will have consequences for those most vulnerable," said Paul
Lapierre, CDPAC chair and Vice-President, Public Affairs and Cancer Control at
the Canadian Cancer Society. Lapierre cited a pivotal report issued by the
Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI)'s Canadian Population Health
Initiative (CPHI) on the state of Canadian urban health released at the
Congress. "Just as the World Health Organization (WHO) report called on
government to close the gaps in health status by improving living conditions
for disadvantaged citizens, our central task now is to act together to reduce
socio-economic inequities."
    The CIHI report "Reducing Gaps in Health: A Focus on Socio-Economic
Status in Canada" reveals that differences in health status in Canadian cities
are linked to social and economic factors such as housing, income, employment
and education. The report follows and complements the findings of the WHO
watershed report, "Closing the Gap in a Generation: Health equity through
action on the social determinants of health" (August 2008).
    In recognizing the progress to date, CDPAC presents an award to the
Honourable Monique Bégin to recognize her contributions to chronic disease
prevention. Dr. Bégin has dedicated her career to public policies and human
rights. Among her many achievements, she was invested as "Officer of the Order
of Canada" in 1998 and is best known for the Canada Health Act of 1984.
    In addition, Canadian and international experts, including Dr. Sandro
Galea, Dr. Cordell Neudorf, Dr. Alan Shiell, Dr. Jennie Popay and Hon. Wilbert
Keon, have come together to discuss the evidence on the direct correlation
between socio-economic status and chronic disease. Over the next three days,
they will identify key knowledge and actions required to reduce inequities and
strengthen collaborative relationships.
    "Canada has made tremendous progress in reducing poverty and health
inequities amongst seniors over the past 30 years", said Stephen Samis, CDPAC
conference chair and director, Health Policy, Heart and Stroke Foundation of
Canada. "Now we need to identify the right social and economic policies at the
municipal, provincial and federal levels that will reduce disparities, address
housing needs and ultimately improve the health, quality of life and
productivity of all Canadians."

    CDPAC is a network of several of Canada's national health charities and
other organizations that share a common vision for an integrated system of
research, surveillance, policies, and programs for maintaining health and
preventing chronic disease in Canada.

For further information: Blueprint Public Relations: [phone];
Cindy Goldberg, ext. 24, cell: [phone], [e-mail]; Kelly
Goulet-Lewis, ext. 22, cell: [phone], [e-mail]