Health Council of Canada Endorses Findings of Conference Board of Canada Report

MEDIA RELEASE: Attention Assignment Editors and Health Reporters

Toronto Oct. 29, 2008 – Dr. Jeanne Besner, Chair of the Health Council of Canada, today endorsed the Conference Board of Canada’s recent report on Canada’s health performance. The report gave Canada a “B” ranking, placing the country 10th out of 16 countries in relative health performance.“The Health Council believes this study is an important wake-up call for Canadians. It sheds light on our health status in a stark but informative way,” she said.

The Health Council has reported in the past on several of the issues highlighted in the Conference Board report. The Council is working to deepen understanding of some of the fundamental challenges straining Canada’s health care system and is currently investigating such issues as value for money in the health care system and chronic disease management.

The Council believes that Canadians and governments alike are concerned about the sustainability and quality of their health system and that any future investments must get at the underlying systemic issues.

According to Dr. Besner, “The Conference Board of Canada is performing a great service when it reminds us that unless we change our behaviours and the ways we deliver health care services in Canada, we risk poorer health status and higher costs.”

Background

The Health Council of Canada, created by the 2003 First Ministers’ Accord on Health Care Renewal is mandated to monitor and report on the progress of health care renewal in Canada. Councillors were appointed by the participating provinces, territories and the Government of Canada and have expertise and broad experience in community care, Aboriginal health, nursing, health education and administration, finance, medicine and pharmacy.

For more information on the Health Council of Canada and to view past reports, visit www.healthcouncilcanada.ca.

-30-

For further information or to arrange an interview, contact:

Pierre Lachaine, Health Council of Canada – Media Relations
Phone (416) 480-7085
Cell (416) 779-4532
plachaine@healthcouncilcanada.ca