The Canadian Heart Health Strategy and Action Plan

Abstract

I have previously mentioned on these pages (1) an important national initiative. In October 2006, the Minister of Health, the Honourable Tony Clement, announced funding to develop a pan-Canadian strategy for cardiovascular health and disease. The origins of this initiative date back to May 2005, when Stephen Fletcher, the opposition member of parliament at the time, introduced a private member’s bill proposing that Canada develop national strategies to address the common chronic diseases that account for the greatest portion of disease burden on Canadians. The bill called for strategies to address cancer, heart disease and mental health, and it passed with support from all parties. Since then, the cancer strategy has been completed, and has received funding for implementation over the next five years. The costs to develop a heart health strategy have now been committed, and mental health has recently been addressed by The Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology in its report, “Out of the Shadows at Last. Transforming Mental Health, Mental Illness and Addiction Services in Canada” (2). Eldon R Smith Since Minister Clement announced the funding for the Canadian Heart Health Strategy and action plan, much has been accomplished. A working group consisting of representatives from the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, the Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the Public Health Agency of Canada responded quickly, with the creation of a steering committee (SC) to lead the initiative. The SC consists of 29 thought leaders from across Canada, who bring the comprehensive knowledge and skills to guide the strategy development process. Although each of these individuals holds, or has held, positions with regional or national organizations involved in cardiovascular health, they have agreed to work together on the SC to do the best job possible for the citizens of Canada. The vision of the SC is a future wherein policy development is conducive to cardiovascular health, and in which these policies, in combination with favourable personal behaviours, will result in a population with less risk of cardiovascular disease. Such a population will experience fewer acute events; this will result in less chronic disease and the population will gain quality life years. The actions needed to achieve this vision will constitute the strategy, and when implemented, the result will be an integrated and comprehensive system of cardiovascular health and disease care. To determine the strategic initiatives needed to achieve the goals outlined above, the SC has structured these six theme working groups (TWGs), each dealing with an important area of concern: strengthening information systems for monitoring, management, evaluation and policy development; creating an environment conducive to cardiovascular health; preventing, detecting and controlling major risk factors; addressing and enhancing Aboriginal/indigenous cardiovascular health; timely access to quality (acute) care and diagnostics; and timely access to quality chronic disease management, rehabilitation services and end-of-life care. Each of the TWGs will consider a number of cross-cutting issues, including: reducing the impacts on cardiovascular outcomes that result from disparities; expanding the knowledge base; translating knowledge into action; addressing impacts and outcomes of interventions; and addressing and enhancing Aboriginal/indigenous cardiovascular health. All groups will also consider workforce and education system needs. The TWGs will consist of eight to 12 members who will work over the next year to develop their priority recommendations. The SC will then assess and integrate the work of the TWGs into the overall strategy document and develop an implementation plan and accompanying budget. The co-chairs for the TWGs have now been selected and are in the process of populating their groups. A lot of work lies ahead, but given the quality of the individuals who have agreed to serve on the SC, the track records of the co-chairs for the TWGs and the outstanding people already identified to be invited to serve on these working groups, I am extraordinarily enthusiastic about the potential to develop an outstanding plan to enhance the cardiovascular health and health care of Canadians.