April 25th, 2011 Heart and Stroke Foundation Questionnaire Q1) By including diagnostic imaging tests, such as MRIs and ultrasound scans in a world leading chronic disease study (known as the Tomorrow Project) which is currently being funded by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer across Canada, we will be able to better understand the factors that influence heart disease and stroke over the course of a life time. This understanding will ultimately lead to better prevention and cures. If elected, will your Party commit to including diagnostic imaging, such as MRIs and ultrasound scans in the Tomorrow Project to better understand heart disease and stroke? The Green Party believes that much needless suffering, premature loss of life, and considerable healthcare costs can be avoided through improved health research, screening programs, more timely diagnosis, earlier treatment, improved lifestyles (diet, exercise and smoking cessation), and healthier public policies and environments. As such, we strongly support including MRIs and ultrasound scans in the Tomorrow Project. Q2) In 2008, the HSF implemented a national, bilingual public awareness campaign known as The Heart Truth. This campaign aims to make Canadian women aware that heart disease and stroke is their leading cause of death and to encourage them to become more aware of, and engaged in their heart health. Currently, only 23% of Canadian women are aware that heart disease and stroke is their most serious health concern and often they don’t know what to do to prevent it. The first three years of the campaign were a success. However, the campaign needs additional funds in order to effectively reach high risk populations, including women from a variety of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, and aboriginal women. To expand the campaign and better reach these communities, where the risk is highest, we are asking the next federal government to support the final phase of the Heart Truth campaign.
If elected, will your party help reach out to women across the country and commit $3 million to support the Heart Truth campaign? As part of our focus on disease prevention and overall health promotion, we plan to provide more information to Canadians about healthy food choices and lifestyles. Supporting campaigns like the Heart Truth falls within this goal. Q3) An Automated External Defibrillator, also known as a defibrillator, is a safe, easy to use computerized device that can be used by the lay public. If applied quickly these machines can increase the chance of survival when a person's heart stops beating. Defibrillators have been used effectively in many public settings. This is critical, given that for every one minute delay in their use, the survival rate of a cardiac arrest victim decreases by 7-10%. Defibrillation, when used with Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), can increase the chance of cardiac arrest survival by up to 75%. About 45,000 Canadians experience cardiac arrests every year. Less than 5% of those who have a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital survive. If elected, will your Party commit to supporting the placement of defibrillators and CPR training in communities, including in recreation centres, across Canada? The Green Party realizes that cardiac arrest is a significant killer of Canadians and that AEDs carry an enormous potential to save thousands of lives each year. We further understand that, although these devises are already in place in many settings (e.g. schools and hockey arenas), Canadians currently do not have equal access to them. Regulation among the provinces aimed at ensuring equal access by making AEDs mandatory in legally defined "public buildings" is also uneven. The Green Party supports efforts currently underway to pass provincial legislation similar to Bill 41 Defibrillation Access Act, and would consider sponsoring or supporting federal legislation aimed at guaranteeing equal access for all Canadians regardless of where they live. Q4) Trans fats are unnecessary. These fats have no nutritional benefits whatsoever, only health risks - causing thousands of cardiac deaths in Canada annually. Despite reductions over the last several years, Health Canada estimates that 25% of the food supply is still riddled with trans fats. Sodium levels in Canada are also too high. It has been estimated that in Canada excess sodium consumption is responsible for one million cases of high blood pressure – a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. On average, adult Canadians consume around 3,400 mg of sodium per day.
This is significantly above the recommended Tolerable Upper Intake Level of 2,300 mg per day. If elected, will your Party commit to taking action to reduce sodium and trans fat levels in the Canadian food supply? Yes, the Green Party believes that disease prevention must be front of centre of any comprehensive health care system. We will institute a National Junk Food Tax for non-essential, empty calorie foods and beverages including high-fat, high-sugar and high-salt snack foods.