Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Strategy Released

A comprehensive strategy to assist those living with or at risk for chronic disease was released today by the Provincial Government. Improving Health Together: A Policy Framework for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management in Newfoundland and Labrador provides a long-term approach for addressing chronic disease in the province. An investment of $500,000 was also announced today for the implementation of Improving Health: My Way, the Provincial Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, a key initiative of the strategy.

The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services, was joined by Carol Ann Smith, Regional Director of the Canadian Diabetes Association, for the official release of the strategy.

“We recognize that in Newfoundland and Labrador, the rates of chronic disease are significant and we as a government have a responsibility to set the ground work to help individuals with or at risk of developing a chronic disease,” said Minister Sullivan. “Over half of our residents, 12 years of age and up, have at least one chronic disease. This strategy will help guide the Provincial Government as we continue to work to address the needs of people living with a chronic disease and assist them to lead a healthy life.”

This strategy considers the common issues and needs of all those living with or at risk for chronic disease and provides a focus on a select number of chronic diseases that affect many individuals and have a high impact on quality of life. These include: arthritis, cancer, chronic pain, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, lung disease, and stroke.

The strategy will be guided by six core policies that focus on self-management, prevention and awareness, health care delivery, practice guidelines, information systems and research, and community action. Improving Health Together will build on and collaborate with other Provincial Government initiatives to improve health and wellness, such as the Provincial Wellness Plan, the Provincial Healthy Aging Policy Framework, the Recreation and Sport Strategy, and the Poverty Reduction Strategy.

As part of this strategy, $500,000 was announced to fund the Provincial Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, Improving Health: My Way, a significant component of the framework. This funding will support the four regional health authorities in their implementation of a program for people with chronic disease. Under this program, participants and their support persons will learn how to best manage their illness and stay healthy.

“We welcome this investment by the Provincial Government to address chronic disease prevention and management in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Ms. Smith. “We look forward to continuing to work with government since people living with chronic diseases benefit greatly from strong partnerships between government, the health system and the community. Community agencies have much to offer in the prevention and management of chronic diseases.”

To obtain a copy of Improving Health Together: A Policy Framework for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management in Newfoundland and Labrador, visit www.gov.nl.ca/health 

In the last eight years, the Provincial Government has made significant investments in improving chronic disease prevention and management. This includes funding for the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program for new drugs and therapies and expanded eligibility, cancer care and prevention, and support for the development of the Electronic Health Record, which when completed will allow health providers quick access to medical information.

The Provincial Government has also invested in programs and initiatives to address chronic disease and promote healthy living throughout the province. Approximately $151.1 million has been allocated for the provision of dialysis services since 2003; $4.1 million is directed annually to the implementation of the Provincial Wellness Plan; $1.4 million has funded the insulin pump therapy program which provides insulin pumps to several hundred people living with diabetes; and, $477,700 was allocated for the expansion of the Janeway Lifestyles Program which provides services for children to achieve healthy weights and address other risk factors for chronic disease.

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2011 12 19             1:10 p.m.