THE REPORT ON THE HEALTH STATUS OF MANITOBANS IS NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PROVINCIAL PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER

From a Manitoba News Release:

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June 16, 2011

REPORT FROM CHIEF PROVINCIAL PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER TABLED IN LEGISLATURE; PROVINCE ACCEPTS ALL RECOMMENDATIONS: OSWALD

A first report from the chief provincial public health officer on the health status of Manitobans, including recommendations to strengthen prevention of diseases and injuries and to reduce health inequalities, was tabled in the legislature today by Health Minister Theresa Oswald.

?I want to thank Dr. Joel Kettner and his team for their good work in assessing our health status and making recommendations on how to improve the health ofManitobans,? said Oswald.  ?This report contains valuable information and helpful recommendations that will serve as a guide for all of government so we can continue to work together to improve our prevention strategies.?

Titled /Priorities for Prevention:  Everyone, Every Place, Every Day/, the report describes a range of health problems that affect Manitobans and gives advice onpriorities forprevention.

The report recommends the government should assess the effects on health and health inequalities when considering major decisions, policies, legislation and other actions.  Recommendations focus on co-ordinating and strengthening existing prevention strategies and developing new ones.

An initial implementation team will be created to review the recommendations and advise government on the first steps of their implementation Oswald said, adding this team will consist of representatives from Manitoba Health, including the Office of the Chief Provincial Public Health Officer, Manitoba Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors, and Healthy Child Manitoba.  The team will also advise on options for engaging multiple governmental departments, in addition to appropriate individuals and organizations, in the co-ordination of prevention strategies.

?This report reinforces our understanding that health and health care does not only happen in the doctor?s office.  Health begins in the home and other places where people live, grow, learn, work and play,? said Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors Minister Jim Rondeau.  ?Manitoba was the first province to create a department focused on healthy living and we will use this report to guide our work in the months and years ahead.?

Under the Public Health Act, the chief provincial public health officer is required to submit a report on the health status of Manitobans at least every five years.

The full report is available online at www.gov.mb.ca/health/cppho[1] and a print version will be made available at the Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library[2].

Please contact MHIKNET Library Services[3] at mhiknet@umanitoba.ca or 1-877-789-3804 if you will need to borrow the print version.

Thank you,

Carol Friesen