Overview of Healthy Kids Panel Report Presentation for “Working Better Together” - AOHC Conference 2013
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care June 6, 2013
CONTEXT FOR ACTION- THE HIGH COST OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY •
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28 per cent of Ontario children and youth are overweight or obese based on the most recent measured data (2004). Between 1978/79 and 2004, the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity in Canada increased from 15 per cent to 26 per cent.
75% of obese children grow up to become obese adults. Adult obesity is associated with increased risks for chronic diseases and conditions including coronary artery disease, stroke, hypertension, breast and colon cancer, type 2 diabetes, gall bladder disease and osteoarthritis. Chronic diseases associated with adult obesity cost Ontario an estimated $4.5 billion per year.
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MAKING HEALTHY CHANGE HAPPEN – ONTARIO’S ACTION PLAN
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In January 2012, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) released Ontario’s Action Plan for Health Care, which made the commitment to: …aggressively take on the challenge to reduce childhood obesity by 20 per cent over five years. Success on this front will require partnership, so we will bring together a panel of advocates, health care leaders, non-profit organizations, and industry to develop the strategy to meet our target.
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In May 2012, the Minister announced the formation of the Healthy Kids Panel.
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The Panel met from May to December 2012.
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The Panel’s report, No Time To Wait: The Healthy Kids Strategy, was released March 2013.
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OVERVIEW OF THE HEALTHY KIDS PANEL •
The Healthy Kids Panel was made up of 18 independent experts who are leaders in their fields.
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Members of this multi-sectoral Panel possessed one or more of the following characteristics: • Expertise and knowledge of the factors that influence obesity risk factors; • A demonstrated commitment to address childhood obesity; and, • Sector champions/leaders who can speak to practical solutions with an understanding of implementation issues.
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Healthy Kids Panel - Members The Panel was comprised of 18 content area and strategy experts, health care leaders, non-profit organizations, and industry: Co-Chairs: • Alex Munter, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario • Kelly Murumets, ParticipACTION Members: • Dr. Denis Daneman, SickKids • Carol Diemer, Windsor Essex Community Health Centre • Cheryl Jackson, Journalist • Michael Lovsin, Retail Council of Canada/Loblaw Companies Limited • Dr. Stephen Lye, Mount Sinai Hospital • Medhat Mahdy, YMCA Ontario • Carlene Mennen, Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre • Rose Reisman, The Art of Living Well • Barbara Riley (PhD), Propel Centre for Population Health Impact – University of Waterloo • Heather Sears, York Region District School Board • Neil Seeman, Health Strategy Innovation Cell, University of Toronto • Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Council of Medical Officers of Health/ Sudbury & District Health Unit • Phyllis Tanaka, Food & Consumer Products of Canada • Max Valiquette, Bensimon Byrne • Robert Witchel, Right to Play Canada • Soo Wong, MPP for Scarborough-Agincourt
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Engagement Approach Framework The Panel identified that engagement, input and diverse perspectives would help to inform their report and discussions Engagement Mechanisms Submissions from the Public: • The Healthy Kids Panel received 93 written submissions from members of the public and organizations from May 18th – September 30th 2012. Thought Leader Presentations: • 19 thought leaders were invited to make presentations and engage in a discussion with the Panel through the July – November meetings. Associations/Organizations Meetings: • The co-chairs and members met individually with various associations and organizations representing the food and hospitality industries and the medical and public health sectors to name a few. Parent Survey: • The Panel conducted a survey of Ontario parents and caregivers from October 12th – November 12th 2012, to gain a better understanding of parents’ perceptions of childhood obesity and attitudes towards actions for prevention and reduction. • The survey was available in both English and French and received over 2,000 responses. Parent and Youth Focus Groups: • To complement the survey, focus groups in the Greater Toronto Area and Sudbury were also used to provide insights into the lived experience of parents. • The Students Commission of Canada also conducted 10 focus groups on behalf of the Panel to gather input from children and youth about their health.
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No Time to Wait… Strategy and Implementation •
The Panel identified three pillars where Ontario could have the largest impact on obesity : • Start All Kids on the Path to Health – parental unhealthy weight, maternal diabetes, maternal smoking, high birth weight, rapid infant weight gain (associated with low birth weight), and no or short breastfeeding are among the causes of childhood obesity. • Change the Food Environment – over-consumption of high-calorie food is a primary factor driving increasing obesity rates. • Create Healthy Communities – engaging a variety of sectors and working across settings, such as communities, workplaces, schools, primary care and homes.
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Recognizing the size of the challenge, the Panel recommended at least $80 million annually in new funding to reduce childhood overweight and obesity.
Recommendations – Implementation: •
In addition to the “strategy” recommendations, the Panel has made several recommendations for implementation:
A. An immediate and long-term government commitment. B. Establish a cross-ministry cabinet committee chaired by the Premier, partnerships outside government, and engage parents, caregivers and youth. C. Invest significant resources – maintain current funding, repurpose funding, commit new funding, and establish a public-private-philanthropic trust fund. D. Monitoring, evaluation, and public reporting – develop a surveillance system, support research, require independent monitoring and annual reporting on strategy’s implementation and impact.
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Recommendations – Healthy Start
Start All Kids on the Path to Health 1.1
Educate women of child-bearing age about the impact of their health and weight on their own well-being and on the health and well-being of their children.
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Enhance primary and obstetrical care to include a standard pre-pregnancy health check and wellness visit for women planning a pregnancy and their partners.
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Adopt a standardized prenatal education curriculum and ensure courses are accessible and affordable for all women.
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Support and encourage breastfeeding for at least the first six months of life.
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Leverage well-baby and childhood immunization visits to promote healthy weights and enhance surveillance and early intervention.
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Recommendations – Healthy Food Change the Food Environment 2.1
Ban the marketing of high-calorie, low-nutrient foods, beverages and snacks to children under age 12.
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Ban point-of-sale promotions and displays of high calorie, low nutrient foods and beverages in retail settings, beginning with sugar sweetened beverages.
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Require all restaurants, including fast food outlets and retail grocery stores, to list the calories in each item on their menus and to make this information visible on menu boards.
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Encourage food retailers to adopt transparent, easy-to-understand, standard, objective nutrition rating systems for the products in their stores.
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Support the use of Canada’s Food Guide and the nutrition facts panel.
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Provide incentives for Ontario food growers and producers, food distributors, corporate food retailers, and non-governmental organizations to support community-based food distribution programs.
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Provide incentives for food retailers to develop stores in food deserts
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Establish a universal school nutrition program for all Ontario publicly funded elementary and secondary schools.
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Establish a universal school nutrition program for First Nations communities.
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Develop a single standard guideline for food and beverages served or sold where children play and learn
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Recommendations – Healthy Communities Create Healthy Communities 3.1
Develop a comprehensive healthy kids social marketing program that focuses on healthy eating, active living – including active transportation – mental health and adequate sleep.
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Join EPODE International and adopt a coordinated, community-driven approach to developing healthy communities for kids.
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Make schools hubs for child health and community engagement.
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Create healthy environments for preschool children.
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Develop the knowledge and skills of key professionals and providers to support parents in raising healthy kids.
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Speed implementation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy.
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Continue to implement the Mental Health and Addictions Strategy.
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Ensure families have timely access to specialized obesity programs when needed.
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Next Steps
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The Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and the Minister of Children and Youth Services will be Co-Chairing an Inter-ministerial working group to direct government action on implementing the Panel’s recommendations.
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In the coming months the government will identify further action on the Panel’s recommendations.
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Engage with and seek advice and support from CHCs as government considers the Panel’s recommendations and proceeds with implementation.
Questions?
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