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Speaking Points for the Minister of Health of Canada The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq. UN NCD Summit on Non Communicable Diseases - Plenary speech
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September 19, 2011
New York
Check Against Delivery
Mister President, distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,
The Government of Canada is concerned about rising rates of chronic diseases. They are the leading causes of death in Canada.
The Political Declaration puts a priority on prevention. We have already done this in Canada.
Last fall, Canada's Health Ministers endorsed a Declaration on Prevention and Promotion. We are committed to promoting healthy living, preventing disease and reducing health disparities.
Individuals can make healthier choices in their everyday lives to reduce their risks. But we know that promoting good health is everyone's business. That's why solutions should involve a broad base of partners like non-governmental organizations, all levels of government and different sectors whose activities have a bearing on health.
Canada is taking action in many ways.
We have created a strong environment favouring the reduction of smoking in Canada.
Our results are impressive. Canada's smoking rate has dropped from 25 per cent in 1999 down to 17 per cent. This is a historic low for Canada.
Canada's federal, provincial and territorial governments are concerned by rising rates of overweight and obesity, particularly among Canada's children and youth. One in four children is affected. We must reverse the present trends.
To help with this we are looking to partner with organizations including the media to promote messages of healthy eating and living.
The Government of Canada also continues to make significant investments to address NCDs in our Indigenous populations. We hope that we can share our experience and learn from others to make meaningful progress.
In the area of mental illness, Canada is pleased that the language in the Political Declaration recognizes the linkages between mental and neurological disorders and NCDs.
The desire to alleviate human suffering is enough reason to increase our efforts to curb NCDs. However, they also cost the Canadian and global economies billions and billons of dollars every year.
These are challenges that we, in Canada, will solve as a society and as a part of a global community. Prevention must be the foundation for our action on NCDs, both domestically and internationally.
Thank you.
