A Healthier Canada is not just the Responsibility 
of Health Ministries


December 15, 2010 - A report released today by the Health Council of 
Canada declares that unless governments change their approach to 
addressing the needs of poorer and socially disadvantaged Canadians, we 
are destined to continue to spend large amount of dollars on our health 
care system. Governments must expand their approach to health promotion in 
order to tackle the major societal factors that lead to poor health and to 
take pressure off health care budgets. 

The report Stepping It Up: Moving the Focus from Health Care in Canada to 
a Healthier Canada indicates that health disparities play a significant 
role in health system costs. It states that ongoing spending on acute care 
and programs encouraging a healthy lifestyle is not enough to improve the 
overall health of Canadians, particularly those who live in or close to 
poverty. 

"Good health is not simply a matter of diet and exercise," says John G. 
Abbott, CEO of the Health Council of Canada. "These things matter, but 
research shows that other factors such as our income, employment, home and 
work environment, and social relationships have a stronger impact on our 
health and well-being."

Read commentary from guest bloggers and other health industry leaders 
about health promotion in Canada or download the full report on 
www.healthcouncilcanada.ca.