CIHI Report Underscores Need For Action Plan On Lung Health And Access To Smoking Cessation Programs And Affordable Medications, Canada

Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Also Included In: Respiratory / Asthma;  Lung Cancer;  COPD
Article Date: 25 Nov 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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The Lung Association today commended the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) on its newly released report examining health disparity and its relation to low socio-economic status. The report underscores the need for a national action plan on lung health, and the need for increased access to affordable smoking cessation medications and programs.

The CIHR Report found that there is a key link between low socio-economic status and lung diseases such as asthma and COPD. Canadians from the low socio-economic group who live in urban areas of Canada were found to be 2.7 times more likely to be hospitalized for chronic conditions than those from higher socio-economic groups. As well, the report shows that COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) has the highest rate of any chronic disease for disparity of hospitalization rates between rich and poor. The cities with the highest disparity for COPD are London (Ontario) and Regina (Saskatchewan) at 4.7 times.

The report also examined childhood asthma and found that children from low socio-economic groups had 56% higher hospitalization rates for asthma than children from high socio-economic groups. Childhood asthma hospitalization disparity was found to be worse in Winnipeg by 3 times.

The CIHI study also examined risk factors for health and showed that smoking was 1.8 times higher in those with low socio-economic status. Higher rates of smoking lead to higher rates of COPD. Exposure of children to second-hand smoke is associated with higher rates of asthma.

The high rates of smoking found in the low socio-economic segment are an indication that more innovation is needed in developing programs to help people quit smoking. As The Lung Association recommended in"Making Quit Happen: Canada's Challenges to Smoking Cessation", new strategies must be developed that are specifically designed to work with the groups who need the most help. In addition to ensuring better access to smoking cessation programs and supports to all people living in Canada, the Association also recommended in its report that all smoking cessation medications be included on provincial formularies and drug coverage plans to make them more accessible.

The Lung Association supports the CIHI findings that more work must be done to reduce the gap in health due to socio-economic status. The broad range of health conditions affected by low socio-economic status shows that we need to do more than address the individual diseases and conditions. Agencies must work together on common problems and integrated approaches to chronic disease management must be used.

To that end, The Lung Association again took the opportunity to urge the federal government to commit initial funding for the National Lung Health Framework - Canada's first comprehensive national action plan on lung health - in the 2009 Federal Budget. The plan will improve the respiratory health of all people living in Canada through collaborative and equitable patient care, policy, programming, research and leadership. It is also a plan that recognizes how imperative it is to address social determinants of health, such as poverty and poor housing, as a means to improving the lung health of all people living in Canada.

During the recent federal election campaign, referencing his government's commitment to lung health, Prime Minister Harper announced an initial funding investment of $10 million over two years to begin implementing the National Lung Health Framework. The Association looks forward to seeing this commitment in the 2009 federal budget, and will continue working with Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq, her Cabinet and caucus colleagues, and all Parliamentarians, to ensure that lung health remains a priority in the 40th Parliament. The Association and its partners will continue working with the government and all Parliamentarians to ensure that the Framework is fully funded before the next federal election.

Established in 1900, The Lung Association is one of Canada's oldest and most respected health charities, and the leading national organization for science-based information, research, education, support programs and advocacy on lung heath issues.

Source

Cameron Bishop
Director of Government Affairs and Media Relations
Directeur des affaires gouvernementales et relations médias

The Lung Association/L'Association pulmonaire
http://www.lung.ca