Further Information
- Chronic disease prevention – General
- The cost of chronic disease
- The cost effectiveness of prevention
- Inequalities in the burden of chronic disease
- Best practices in chronic disease prevention
- Key reports, journals and web sites
- Conferences and other chronic disease learning opportunities
Chronic disease prevention – General
The Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada (CDPAC) is a networked community of organizations and individuals who share a common vision for an integrated system of chronic disease prevention in Canada.
Take a look at the proceedings from the “Integrated Chronic Disease Prevention: Getting It Together” conference held November 6-9, 2004 for a general overview.
The cost of chronic disease
“The total cost to Canada of illness, disability, and death from the four leading preventable chronic diseases - cardiovascular, cancer, respiratory and diabetes - is estimated at C$45 billion annually. The cost in terms of quality of life is immeasurable. Although these chronic diseases are among the most common and costly health problems facing Canadians, they are also among the most preventable." Source: Minister of State (Public Health) Dr. Carolyn Bennett at The Fourth World Health Organization (WHO) Global Forum on Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, Ottawa, November 2004
For more information visit
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/media/nr-rp/2004/who_2004_e.html.
“The six diagnostic categories with the largest total costs are cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, cancer, injuries, respiratory diseases and nervous system and sense organ diseases. The diagnostic categories represent over two-thirds of the total cost of illness classified by diagnostic category” (Economic Burden of Illness in Canada 1998; page 5).
For more information visit
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ebic-femc98/pdf/ebic1998.pdf.
The cost effectiveness of prevention
The Centres for Disease Control Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion is at the forefront of the nation's efforts to prevent and control chronic diseases. The center conducts studies to better understand the causes of these diseases, supports programs to promote healthy behaviors, and monitors the health of the nation through surveys. Critical to the success of these efforts are partnerships with state health and education agencies, voluntary associations, private organizations, and other federal agencies. Together, the center and its partners are working to create a healthier nation.
The CDC web site contains an overview of Chronic Disease Prevention and information on the cost-effectiveness of these efforts.
Inequalities in the burden of chronic disease
Addressing chronic diseases includes addressing inequalities in the burden of chronic disease. These inequities may be as a result of biological differences such as sex and gender, as well as socio-economic and cultural factors.
For more information visit:
- A Framework for a Provincial Chronic Disease Prevention Initiative
- "Certain Circumstances" Issues in Equity and Responsiveness in Access to Health Care in Canada
- A strategy to prevent chronic disease in Europe: A focus on public health action (The CINDI vision)
Best practices in chronic disease prevention
The Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control is currently working on three major initiatives in the area of Best Practices for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
- National Best Practices Consortium for Integrated Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
- Comprehensive Best Practices System
- Canadian Heart Health Initiative and Canadian Diabetes Strategy Learnings Integration Initiative
Key reports, journals and web sites
- Cost of Chronic Disease In Nova Scotia
- A Framework for a Provincial Chronic Disease Prevention Initiative: October 2003 – Population Health and Wellness, Ministry of Health Planning, Victoria, BC
- Preventing Chronic Disease (PCD)
- From Stroke Prevention to Health Gain - Module 3: Current Approaches
- From Stroke Prevention to Health Gain - Module 4: Chronic Disease Prevention Models
- From Stroke Prevention to Health Gain – Full Report
Chronic disease prevention web sites
- Toward Evidenced Informed Practice (Best and Promising Practice Toolkit)
- An Overview of the Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance
- Alberta Healthy Living Framework: An integrated Approach
- British Columbia Health Living Alliance
- Manitoba Alliance for the Prevention of Chronic Disease
- Healthy Eating Physical Activity Coalition of New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia Provincial Chronic Disease Prevention Strategy