Public Health Issues in Canada

What do you think are the current issues? 1.Consider if the issue is affecting more than a few individuals 2.Is it something that could affect a larger group of people if not controlled? 3.Does it negatively affect a group of people? 4.Did you see the issue on the PHAC website?

Diabetes What is it? The body’s inability to sufficiently produce and/or properly use insulin, which is needed to move blood sugar into cells Type I (insulin-dependent or early onset) and Type II (non-insulin dependent or late onset) diabetes Type II is currently a public health issue

Type I Diabetes The pancreas undergo an autoimmune response that leaves the pancreas incapable of producing insulin – therefore glucose builds up in the blood. Patients with Type I diabetes need insulin medication to survive. Cause not fully understood but there is a genetic link.

Type II Diabetes Type II Body cells (fat and muscle) do not respond correctly to insulin – insulin resistance Blood sugar does not get into these cells to be stored for energy, so high levels of blood sugar develop (hyperglycemia); also a decline in insulin production by the pancreas Most people with the disease are overweight – increased fat makes it harder for your body to use insulin the correct way

Type II Diabetes Risk Factors include: -Older than 45 years (this is changing) -Excess body weight -Family history of diabetes -Low activity level

Why is Type II Diabetes a concern? The condition used to occur in individuals over 30 years old; now patients who are barely teenager are developing Type II diabetes. Type II is more common than Type I diabetes in childhood. Biggest risk factors are poor eating habits, obesity and lack of exercise

Type II diabetes complications Increased risk of cardiovascular problems Nerve damage Kidney damage Eye damage Nerve damage in feet Bacterial/fungal skin infections Gum infections Link to Alzheimer’s disease

What do you think? Do you think the government should be spending money on physical activity campaigns to help prevent diabetes? Or do you think that the government should help by investing in pharmaceutical companies and in diabetes research in order to come up with an effective treatment?

Whatcha think… What kind of programs should be started to prevent or reverse the diabetes epidemic – a program that gives the government the most bang for its bucks?

Cancer – chronic disease Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells = malignant cells. Many causes that are known-benzene and other chemicals, too much alcohol, genetics, radiation, viruses….

More on cancer…. Symptoms vary with the location and type of cancer (i.e. chest pain, coughing with lung cancer) Cancer detection – biopsy of tumour, blood tests, x-rays, CT scan, MRI san Treatment depends on the cancer and its stage – could be surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or a combination

Some statistics on cancer (2010) -177,800 new cancer cases (slightly more men) Most common cancers (new cases per year) -25,500 prostrate cancer (or 122 per 100,000) -25,300 lung cancer (about the same for ♀ & ♂ -23,600 breast cancer -22,200 colorectal cancer (more men)

Cancer deaths TotalMaleFemale All cancers75,00039,90035,100 Lung20,60011,300 9,300 Colorectal8,9005,0003,900 Breast5,1005,100 Prostate4,1004,100 Pancreas3,8001,9001,900

And yet more on cancer…. About 70 % of all new cancer cases and 82% of all cancer deaths will occur in Canadians aged 60 years or older Breast cancer occurs mostly in women aged 50-69, most breast cancer deaths are for women over 80 Prostate cancer most frequently diagnosed in males aged 60-69, most prostate cancer deaths occur in males over 80 years More information: (Cancer Statistics Report)

What do you think? A new genetic screening test for some cancers could allow for the identification of people who are at higher risk. Even if the test is positive, the person may never develop cancer. Do you think such a test should be available and if so, should it be publicly funded?

What do you think? Certain cancer are linked to lifestyle choices (i.e. smoking), some people think that public health care dollars should not support the treatment of these types of cancers (at least not 100%) and that there is a certain degree of personal choice and responsibility.