The Value of Investing in Prevention
On February 8, The Conference Board of Canada released a report about the potential impact on national health expenditures if risk factors related to cardiovascular diseases were reduced.
The Conference Board says, "Canada could save $76.4 billion between 2005 and 2020 – an average of about $5 billion a year in health savings – if some of the targets set out by the Canadian Heart Health Strategy and Action Plan (CHHS-AP) are met."
The news release on the report can be viewed by clicking here.
The full report can be viewed by clicking here.
The report focuses on five risk factors:
1. hypertension
2. smoking
3. diet
4. physical activity
5. obesity
Clearly, NDs are already making an important contribution to addressing these risk factors. The OAND will be using this report as part of our efforts to raise awareness among policy makers about the importance of a more central role for NDs in reducing the burden of chronic disease.
