Ontario vs Alberta and chronic diseases

Ontario

Like most of the rest of the globe, chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in Ontario (Public Health Ontario, 2019). 87% of Ontarians report having one or more modifiable risk factors for chronic disease (tobacco usage, inactivity, unhealthy eating habits, etc...). People with the lowest socioeconomic status tend to be more affected by chronic Diseases (The burden of Chronic Diseases in Ontario, 2019). A plan was implemented considering provincial and regional initiatives. The Chronic Disease Prevention Strategy is currently in action (2020-2023). This strategy has 4 goals work with partners such as Cancer Care Ontario, Prevention Advisory Committee, not-for-profit organizations etc. Promote prevention policies and programs Undertake primary, secondary and tertiary prevention Inform prevention through research and population health assessment and surveillance The chronic diseases risk factors' financial impact on our healthcare system is estimated to be 21.5 billion (Public Health Ontario, 2019). The highest financial burden is tobacco smoking which is estimated at $7.0 billions. Here are the resources :

 N.A. (N.D.) Chronic Disease Prevention Strategy 2020-2023. Cancer Care Ontario.https://www.ccohealth.ca/en/what-we-do/general-health/chronic-disease-prevention/strategy2020. 

 N.A. (July 2019). The Burden of Chronic Diseases in Ontario. Public Health Ontario. https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/c/2019/cdburden-report.pdf?sc_lang=en. 

 N.A. (January 2021). Chronic Disease Data. Public Health Ontario.https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/diseases-and-conditions/chronic-diseases-and-conditions

Alberta (please note that this research was made by Kandice Miller)

Some similarities appear to be present between Ontario and Alberta. Alberta has a Coalition consisting of several groups to support policy making and research. Alberta Health Services does have a Chronic disease management group that does constantly look at research and creating new programs and supports. Here's some resources :

Delon, S. & MacKinnon, B. (2009). Alberta’s systems approach to chronic disease management and prevention utilizing the expanded chronic care model. Healthcare Quarterly 13, 98-104.

In 2009, Delon & MacKinnon summarized the learnings from Alberta’s integrated approach to chronic disease management. Several projects were created and implemented based on the expanded chronic care model. From these projects, there was a 17% increase in diabetes with A1c control, 19% decrease in COPD hospitalizations, and a 34% decrease in emergency department visits.

Alberta Health Services. Chronic disease management. Retrieved November 3, 2022  from https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/info/page11934.aspxAlberta

Health Services offers several programs to educate patients, the public, and staff on chronic disease management. One of the programs offered is Better Choices, Better Health. According to Kandice, having these free programs available for the public is a key management strategy.

Alberta Policy Coalition for Chronic Disease Prevention. Home. Retrieved November 3, 2022 from https://abpolicycoalitionforprevention.ca/

This group was created in 2009 and its goal is to “coordinate efforts, generate evidence, and advocate for policy change to reduce chronic disease.” Currently, this group is working on a chronic disease prevention survey to understand the general public and policy influencers' views and beliefs on policy topics related to chronic diseases.