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Ontario Needs Comprehensive Public Health Strategy

Dr. Arlene King Says That Public Health Is Everyone’s Business

January 27, 2011

News

Ontario needs a comprehensive system-wide public health strategy that focuses on prevention and health promotion, says Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Arlene King.

Investments in prevention will improve the health of the population. They are also a necessary component of any strategy to restrain the growth in health care spending, says Dr. King.

In her 2009 annual report to the legislative assembly, Dr. King says that prevention efforts must be directed in five areas:

• Reducing obesity and physical inactivity
• Investing in healthy child development
• Preventing injuries
• Reducing health inequities
• Investing in the war on tobacco.

The Chief Medical Officer of Health’s annual report emphasizes the need to look at the broader determinants of health including economic and social conditions that are known to greatly influence health. The report is a call to action for a system-wide approach to public health that encompasses all three levels of government, the health, education, financial and social sectors, as well as the people of Ontario.

Dr. King will release her recommendations for a comprehensive public health strategy later in 2011.

QUOTES

"Recent investments in public health have greatly benefited the people of Ontario. To maintain this progress Ontario now needs a comprehensive public health strategy that will keep our people healthy and help sustain our health care system. This will require a system wide approach because public health is everyone’s business"
– Dr. Arlene King, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health

QUICK FACTS

• Almost 60 per cent of Ontario adults are overweight or obese.
• Approximately 13,000 Ontarians die from tobacco use each year.
• Aboriginal people experience the lowest health status of any identifiable population in Ontario.

LEARN MORE

Learn more about Dr. King’s five key areas of focus.

Read the CMOH 2009 Annual Report: Public Health – Everyone’s Business.

BACKGROUNDER

2009 Annual Report Of The Chief Medical Officer Of Health Of Ontario To The Legislative Assembly Of Ontario.

Members of the media:

Neala Barton, 416-327-4388
Minister's Office

David Jensen, 416-314-6197
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
ontario.ca/health-news