Ontario's Health is Worth 0.5%
- by: Heart and Stroke Foundation Ontario
- recipient: Premier Dalton McGuinty and Ontario Minister of Finance Dwight Duncan
Ontario is facing an urgent health care crisis. But the real tragedy is that it's preventable.
Did you know that up to 80% of premature heart disease and stroke, and about half of all cancers, can be prevented through healthy public policies and lifestyle changes, such as increasing physical activity and healthy eating, reducing high-risk alcohol consumption and eliminating tobacco use?
The Ontario government spends nearly 50% of the provincial budget on healthcare to treat those who are already sick. That's a staggering $46 billion and quickly rising. Yet, only 0.35% is set aside for health promotion and disease prevention. It's time to invest in a healthier Ontario.
Take action now! Tell Ontario's Premier and Finance Minister that health promotion is worth a small but critical increase to 0.5% of the Ontario budget.
Together we can put a stop to exploding health care costs and ensure better, healthier lives for all Ontarians.
Did you know that up to 80% of premature heart disease and stroke, and about half of all cancers, can be prevented through healthy public policies and lifestyle changes, such as increasing physical activity and healthy eating, reducing high-risk alcohol consumption and eliminating tobacco use?
The Ontario government spends nearly 50% of the provincial budget on healthcare to treat those who are already sick. That's a staggering $46 billion and quickly rising. Yet, only 0.35% is set aside for health promotion and disease prevention. It's time to invest in a healthier Ontario.
Take action now! Tell Ontario's Premier and Finance Minister that health promotion is worth a small but critical increase to 0.5% of the Ontario budget.
Together we can put a stop to exploding health care costs and ensure better, healthier lives for all Ontarians.
I'm writing to let you know that I'm concerned about the state of healthcare in Ontario. Ontario is facing an urgent health system crisis. But the real tragedy is that it's preventable.
[Your comment will be added here]
Did you know that up to 80% of premature heart disease and stroke, and about half of all cancers, can be prevented through healthy public policies and lifestyle changes, such as increasing physical activity and healthy eating, reducing high-risk alcohol consumption and eliminating tobacco use?
The Ontario government spends nearly 50% of the provincial budget on healthcare to treat those who are already sick. That's a staggering $46 billion and quickly rising. Yet, only 0.35% is set aside for health promotion and disease prevention. With healthcare costs expected to take up 80% of the provincial budget by 2030, it is time to invest in a healthier Ontario.
During the upcoming 2012 budget consultations, I'm calling on you to support an investment of at least 0.5% (up from 0.35%) of the Ontario budget towards health promotion. This is a small but critical increase of an additional $170 million dollars, which will save Ontarians' lives and billions of tax dollars.
With one in three Ontarians affected by chronic disease, we need to make health promotion and disease prevention a priority. Since 2003, the rate of obesity increased by 23%, the rate of high blood pressure increased by 19%, and the diabetes rate increased by 57% in Ontario. Moreover, even younger Canadians are experiencing increases in risk factors: among those 35 to 49 years of age, the prevalence of high blood pressure increased 127%, diabetes by 64% and obesity by 20%. It is also estimated that 45% of males and 40% of females in Ontario are likely to develop cancer in their lifetime.
I support the Better Health is Worth 0.5% campaign, which is a continuation of the Healthiest Province initiative championed by members of the Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance (OCDPA), including the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division, and Ophea.
Better health is worth at least 0.5% of the Ontario budget. Together we can make Ontario the healthiest province.
I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
Sign PetitionSign Petition[Your comment will be added here]
Did you know that up to 80% of premature heart disease and stroke, and about half of all cancers, can be prevented through healthy public policies and lifestyle changes, such as increasing physical activity and healthy eating, reducing high-risk alcohol consumption and eliminating tobacco use?
The Ontario government spends nearly 50% of the provincial budget on healthcare to treat those who are already sick. That's a staggering $46 billion and quickly rising. Yet, only 0.35% is set aside for health promotion and disease prevention. With healthcare costs expected to take up 80% of the provincial budget by 2030, it is time to invest in a healthier Ontario.
During the upcoming 2012 budget consultations, I'm calling on you to support an investment of at least 0.5% (up from 0.35%) of the Ontario budget towards health promotion. This is a small but critical increase of an additional $170 million dollars, which will save Ontarians' lives and billions of tax dollars.
With one in three Ontarians affected by chronic disease, we need to make health promotion and disease prevention a priority. Since 2003, the rate of obesity increased by 23%, the rate of high blood pressure increased by 19%, and the diabetes rate increased by 57% in Ontario. Moreover, even younger Canadians are experiencing increases in risk factors: among those 35 to 49 years of age, the prevalence of high blood pressure increased 127%, diabetes by 64% and obesity by 20%. It is also estimated that 45% of males and 40% of females in Ontario are likely to develop cancer in their lifetime.
I support the Better Health is Worth 0.5% campaign, which is a continuation of the Healthiest Province initiative championed by members of the Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance (OCDPA), including the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division, and Ophea.
Better health is worth at least 0.5% of the Ontario budget. Together we can make Ontario the healthiest province.
I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
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