Preventing Chronic Diseases

The increasing incidence of chronic disease has emerged as one of the most important health issues in the 21st century. Many chronic illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, are preventable, non-communicable conditions.

As the cost of providing health care in BC rises sharply, so does the burden of disease - the impact on health and the cost of illness - for the province. Relatively few conditions account a large part of health care costs in Canada today. In fact, cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes alone consume a substantial portion of our health care resources, totaling $1.28 billion or 10.3 per cent of BC's health care budget.

Studies show that physical inactivity, obesity, unhealthy eating and smoking are common risk factors that contribute to the development of certain chronic illnesses. These risk factors are a concern for many British Columbians. Studies show that a wide range of broader risk conditions contribute to chronic diseases, including living and working conditions, environmental pollution, certain infections, social relationships and early childhood experiences, among others. Studies also show that almost 50 per cent of British Columbians are not physically active enough to achieve health benefits. And overall dietary habits seem worse than indicated in self-reported studies. Most alarming is the dramatic rise in childhood obesity, which has more than doubled in Canada since 1981.

By investing in health promotion and illness prevention, we can help improve health and wellness, reduce and prevent chronic illness, and relieve financial pressures on BC's health care system.