OCTOBER 31, 2006 - 09:00 ET
Obesity, Taxes and Incentives for Healthy Eating, Regulation of Marketing to Children, Poverty and Health are Highlights of Major Conference
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - Oct. 31, 2006) - Chronic diseases cost the Canadian economy $80 billion per year and are the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Some 16 million Canadians live with chronic disease, over 150 people die of chronic diseases in Canada every day, and so far in 2006 there have been over 131,000 deaths from cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease and respiratory diseases.
The Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada, a coalition of over 60 national and provincial/territorial organizations and networks from different sectors and disciplines, is hosting its second national Conference Building It Together starting Sunday evening in Ottawa. Some 400 researchers, policy makers and practitioners are examining ways to improve Canada's chronic disease prevention system to reduce the human and economic toll it takes on our population.
Speakers and participants include Health Minister Tony Clement and Chief Public Health Officer Dr. David Butler-Jones. Topics of discussion include obesity, poverty and health, marketing to children and healthy school environments and communities. For the full Conference program or to register to attend visit
www.cdpac.ca
Media are asked to register at the Conference and wear yellow media badges at all times.