THUNDER BAY – Healthbeat – Did you know that up to 80 per cent of heart disease and stroke, and about half of all cancers, can be prevented through health promotion programs and lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity, healthy eating, reducing high-risk alcohol consumption and eliminating tobacco use?
Currently, the Ontario government spends nearly 50 per cent of the provincial budget on healthcare, yet only 0.35 per cent of it is set aside for health promotion to prevent illness and chronic disease. Effective health promotion and disease prevention programs are a good investment returning more than $5 for every $1 spent, so prevention saves government dollars in the long run.
In participation with other member organizations of the Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance (OCDPA), the Canadian Cancer Society’s Public Issues volunteers, have been meeting with MPPs from across the province to highlight the need to invest in the future health of the province by setting aside more money for health promotion and disease prevention. On March 27th, the Ontario government will deliver its 2012 budget so we only have a few days left to influence and shape the future of healthcare in the province.
We need your help to make Ontario the healthiest province in Canada! E-mail your MPP, Premier and Finance Minister and let them know that better health is worth 0.5 per cent of the Ontario budget. For more information and to take action, please visit www.healthiestprovince.ca.
Millie Gormely
Volunteer
Canadian Cancer Society – Northwest Region
920 Tungsten St
Thunder Bay ON P7B 5Z6
(807) 344-5433
1 800 227 5557