Breaking the cycle of health care costs

[Guest guest]

[i like how there's one political party in Canada whose health focus is

on PREVENTION, including a healthy environment, and making lifestyle

changes. We need more health professionals who work within the areas of

prevention and lifestyle changes.]

 

For Immediate Release

 

BREAK CYCLE OF HEALTH CARE COSTS: GPO

 

Toronto, September 20, 2004 - Recent efforts to increase spending on

health care are welcomed, but money invested will be 'hollow help'

unless federal and provincial governments - including Ontario - focus

on prevention, health maintenance, and early intervention, says Green

Party of Ontario leader Frank de Jong.

 

" Effective healthcare should start with ensuring a healthy

environment, " says de Jong. " We can prevent many health problems from

occurring in the first place by switching to organic agriculture,

moving to 100% renewable electricity production, and redesigning

communities so cars aren't needed. "

 

" Federal and provincial governments including Ontario can play their

part by taking positive preventive steps to creating a healthy living

environment including cutting toxic pollutants and eliminating the use

of pesticides and preservatives, " adds de Jong.

 

GPO health critic Judy Greenwood-Speers adds that illness prevention

should begin with promoting healthy lifestyles, from positive diet

choices to regular exercise for all ages. " These are solutions that

don't require billions of dollars to implement, " she says. " But they do

require that we make better use of our skilled healthcare

professionals, including allowing them to be proactive in helping guide

the population to make the right lifestyle choices. "

 

Greenwood-Speers adds: " Primary health care reform is more than just

having enough nurses and doctors. It's about helping them carry out the

roles they were trained to do, including promoting health and prevent

and treat illness. "

 

Ontarians can become actively involved in preventive health care and

contribute to breaking the cycle of health care costs, by reducing

their discretionary use of pharmaceuticals, by making healthier dietary

choices, and by adopting healthy lifestyles, she says.

 

" Examining how transportation and agricultural issues affect community

health is another way in which governments at all levels can make a

positive impact on health-related issues. Cycling, for example, helps

the environment while also improving your own health, " adds de Jong.

 

" We can all do our part, " de Jong says. " But governments at all levels

must participate by starting with the environment we all depend on for

air, water, and food and following up on real and meaningful primary

health care. Focusing on breaking the cycle of health care costs will

be the best investment Canadians and Ontarians can make. "

 

- 30 -

 

The Green Party of Ontario has a comprehensive plan to protect people's

long-term interests and preserve the environment that sustains our

lives and our economy. Practical solutions grounded by shared values

are what Green politics is all about.

 

To contact the Green Party of Ontario:

416-929-2397,1-888-647-3366 (toll free)

admin or visit www.greenparty.on.ca

[Guest guest]

Way to go Canada! Nora G

 

-

" David Elfstrom " <listbox

 

Monday, September 20, 2004 1:10 PM

Breaking the cycle of health care

costs

 

 

> [i like how there's one political party in Canada whose health focus is

> on PREVENTION, including a healthy environment, and making lifestyle

> changes. We need more health professionals who work within the areas of

> prevention and lifestyle changes.]

>

> For Immediate Release

>

> BREAK CYCLE OF HEALTH CARE COSTS: GPO

>

> Toronto, September 20, 2004 - Recent efforts to increase spending on

> health care are welcomed, but money invested will be 'hollow help'

> unless federal and provincial governments - including Ontario - focus

> on prevention, health maintenance, and early intervention, says Green

> Party of Ontario leader Frank de Jong.

>

> " Effective healthcare should start with ensuring a healthy

> environment, " says de Jong. " We can prevent many health problems from

> occurring in the first place by switching to organic agriculture,

> moving to 100% renewable electricity production, and redesigning

> communities so cars aren't needed. "

>

> " Federal and provincial governments including Ontario can play their

> part by taking positive preventive steps to creating a healthy living

> environment including cutting toxic pollutants and eliminating the use

> of pesticides and preservatives, " adds de Jong.

>

> GPO health critic Judy Greenwood-Speers adds that illness prevention

> should begin with promoting healthy lifestyles, from positive diet

> choices to regular exercise for all ages. " These are solutions that

> don't require billions of dollars to implement, " she says. " But they do

> require that we make better use of our skilled healthcare

> professionals, including allowing them to be proactive in helping guide

> the population to make the right lifestyle choices. "

>

> Greenwood-Speers adds: " Primary health care reform is more than just

> having enough nurses and doctors. It's about helping them carry out the

> roles they were trained to do, including promoting health and prevent

> and treat illness. "

>