On September 28, Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Perry Kendall, published a special report: “Investing in Prevention: Improving Health and Creating Sustainability”. 

Dr. Kendall and his team make a convincing case for “a strengthened provincial strategy for and investment in prevention, thus reducing the burden of disease on families and communities, the need for health care services, and the impact of disease, disability and premature death on the economy.”

Here’s a snapshot of some of points made in the report:

• While BC has done well in the area of tobacco control, we have a growing problem regarding obesity and weight-related illnesses.  As a population, we British Columbians consume too much of the wrong foods and drinks and get too little physical activity.
• Given this trend, we can anticipate an increased rate of cancer, heart disease, stroke, arthritis and other diseases.
• Health status and health behaviors are closely linked to socio-economic status.  The poorer you are, the less healthy your behaviors, and the poorer your health.  These links appear to be poorly understood in the health care system and are certainly not reflected in how resources are allocated.

The report makes five recommendations to the BC government:

1. Build on the foundational whole-of-government approach and commit to ensuring that the healthiest choice is the easiest choice.

2. Recommit to early childhood development.

3. Look at other jurisdictions that have committed to poverty reduction and create a “Made in BC” program.

4. Further strengthen the public health services provided by BC’s health authorities.

5. Build a primary care system that will effectively deliver evidence-based lifetime preventive services and integrate prevention into chronic disease management.

While these five recommendations may seem simple, let’s make no mistake about how difficult it is to implement them.  As a former Vice-President of a hospital, I know full well the pressing problems of crowded Emergency Departments and long waiting lists for diagnostic tests or surgery.  And last time I checked, our economy and the provincial budget still have many challenges before we feel we have turned the corner.

But Dr. Kendall’s concluding comments should give us all pause: 

Investing in prevention and the promotion of health should be undertaken for the same reasons that we treat disease and injury; not just because of the economic gains that will be realized, but because it is the hallmark of a civilized, humane and caring society.