Canada has set its sights on becoming one of the healthiest countries in the world, following a CAN$300m (£150m, 212m euro, US$260m) investment in health promotion over the next five years.
The funding is part of the federal government’s Integrated Strategy on Healthy Living and Chronic Disease, which will address healthy eating, physical activity and weight control – the key risk factors for some of the leading preventable chronic diseases.
The strategy was launched in response to the rising costs of treating ill health. More than three-quarters of deaths in Canada each year result from cancer, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and respiratory disease.
The government says the risk factors that lead to these diseases, such as physical inactivity and unhealthy eating, are also becoming increasingly common.
“Health promotion and chronic disease prevention are key to making Canada one of the healthiest nations in the world,” said Carolyn Bennett, minister of state for public health. “The strategy will also contribute to the sustainability of the healthcare system, by working to reduce the burden of disease.”
Through the strategy, the Canadian government is contributing CAN$56m (£28m, 40m euro, US$48m) to a healthy-living strategy. This will include a Healthy Living Fund, which will make investments at national, regional and local levels to support health promotion initiatives.
It will also include a social marketing campaign that aims to motivate Canadians to eat healthy food and to be more physically active. The campaign will focus on the importance of including these actions in daily life and will show how making small steps can lead to significant health improvements.
The healthy-living strategy will also aim to establish partnerships to exchange information and share best practice.
