Speech by the Minister of Health The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq to Announce Funding for a Population Health Study of Neurological Conditions

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September 29, 2011
Ottawa

Check Against Delivery

Good Morning everyone,

First of all, I would like to thank our host here at Ottawa University, the Dean of Medicine, Jacques Bradwejn.

I would also like to thank my colleague, the Minister of State for Seniors, Alice Wong, as well as Joyce Gordon, Chair of the Neurological Health Charities for joining me today.

It's a pleasure to be here to tell you about an initiative that has the potential to benefit every Canadian living with a neurological condition, as well as their families.

As our population continues to age, the number of people affected by neurological conditions will rise.

That's why the Government of Canada believes it's important to invest in neurological research.

Since 2006, we have invested close to $410 million dollars in neurological research.

Although we have made advances in this area, we still have a lot to learn.

That's why we're committed to doing work that increases our knowledge of all aspects of neurological conditions.

We need better information about the ways these disorders affect the quality of life of patients, their families, and their caregivers. We also need to know more about how these diseases progress in patients and how their health changes.

In 2009, the Government of Canada worked with Neurological Health Charities Canada to develop the first-ever National Population Health Study of Neurological Conditions.

The goal of this four-year study--which is, in fact, a suite of studies--is to find answers to the questions that patients, caregivers, and health professionals feel are most important.

It will help us better understand the risk factors associated with these conditions.

And, when the Study is complete in 2013, we will have a much clearer picture of who is affected by neurological conditions, how they are affected and, more importantly, what they need.

Today, I am pleased to announce close to $6 million dollars in funding--as part of the National Population Health Study of Neurological Conditions--to support 10 new research studies on neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and epilepsy.

These studies will give us better information about people living with neurological conditions in nursing homes, and about those requiring care in the community.

And they will help us understand how Aboriginal people view neurological conditions, as well as how these conditions affect their families and communities.

These are just a few examples of what our Government's investment will help achieve.

By supporting research and surveillance, we will continue to improve our understanding of neurological conditions and the ways they affect Canadians.

And I am confident that, working together with the Neurological Health Charities Canada, we will find ways to improve the quality of life of Canadians living with brain conditions, as well as the lives of the people who care for them.

Thank you.