The current topic dominating the headlines of the news pertains to the financial downward spiral the world is reacting to. Governments around the globe are responding to this potential recession by injecting billions of dollars into major industries such as banks and auto companies to keep them afloat and keep the economic engines running. Having come from a background of healthcare, I am familiar with the concept of reacting to potential crises rather than proactively preparing and avoiding the situation. However, it is becoming clearer that the response of our governments to our economic situation can be compared to our healthcare system.

Despite what Michael Moore has led us to believe, the Canadian healthcare system that we view as enormously superior to the American healthcare disaster is not perfect. It is based on a reactionary premise. According the World Health Organization rankings of healthcare systems countries like Andorra (4^th), Malta (5^th), Singapore (6^th), and the United Kingdom (18^th) place ahead of Canada’s admired healthcare system, ranked 30^th overall. Perhaps most concerning to Canadians, the United States ranked 37^th. Not so far behind for a system that we look upon with such distain. So despite ranking in the top ten in expenditure per capita the WHO shows disconnect where overall health of our system and the approach we take to patient care earn us a 30^th place ribbon. Perhaps the reasons for this disconnect lies partially in the nature of our system. In healthcare classrooms across the country it is taught that healthcare is set up to combat and cure disease and ailments; a reactive system. For example, a diabetes program or a cancer clinic will always take priority in the minds of Canadians as well as funding models over a healthy living course or a non-smoking program, and let me state, to a certain extent, it should. But let’s evaluate the system for what it is, and consider the outcome if we could create a system in which we could prevent some of these diseases from developing or exacerbating symptoms? Aside from the obvious health benefits to the patients, the financial ramifications would be enormous. Let’s consider diabetes type II which has shown poor diet and a lack of exercise can contribute to the disease or worsening of symptoms often leading to hospital visits and admissions for such things as peripheral vascular disease and obesity. Of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Ontario’s 40 billion dollar budget, 10 percent is spent on combating the disease. In a time where funding is being cut not increased, if we could save a small percentage of that budget by implementing healthy living and wellness programs throughout communities in the province, tens of millions of dollars could be redirected to other areas of need. Looking at the National Health Service (NHS), the UK’s version of OHIP (remember, ranking 12 spots HIGHER than Canada), healthcare practitioners are encouraged to make these changes with financial incentives such as funding physician visits per preventative treatment.

Now I realize the proactive approach is the less glamorous of the two options. At the end of the day, there is no answer, there is no cure, and there is no television show re-enacting the action packed education session. I also realize it certainly isn’t as simple as placing a few clinics around town and pocketing the millions tomorrow. The proactive approach to providing health care requires long term projects involving major restructuring and are typically unpopular with politicians because they rarely have the opportunity to see the effects of the change during their political term; making the proactive style a hard sell. We are at a point in time where we should start thinking bigger then ourselves and start designing our system in order to prevent some of these diseases ahead of time rather then reacting to them when it’s too late for both the system and the patient. Can we not try to learn something from the situation major industries such as banking and the auto sector find themselves in? Or will we continue to react after the crises has occurred instead of investing in our healthcare system before we find ourselves looking up on the WHO ranking and from our wallets at our unfortunate Americans who pay out of pocket for their healthcare.

Posted: March 01, 2009, 9:17 PM by Sean Gehring in the Financial Post Executive Blog

Click Here to return to Canada Wellness Hubs Homepage

Follow Canada Wellness Hubs on Twitter

Other Canada Local Wellness Stories we are following

• Focus on Canada Wellness iN Tune People: Cecil McCintosh-Master Relaxation Mentor
• The Canada Local Wellness Report 3909 - You Publish Wellness: We Give It the Buzz
• The Canada Local Wellness Report 3609 - You Report Wellness: We Give It the Buzz
• The Canada Local Wellness Report 3509 - You Report Wellness, We Give It the Buzz
• The Canada Local Wellness Report - Feb/March 2009

Related articles by Zemanta

• Anti-aging Doc in Video on Wall Street Journal (ambianceofwellbeing.blogspot.com)
• When Brands Get Punk’d: Social Media Remediation (web-strategist.com)
• What Is Your Life Worth? (healthcarebs.com)
• Ahhhh, cost cutting measures (atyourcervix.blogspot.com)
• Can you bargain down a medical bill? (blisstree.com)
• Hot Docs: Healthcare Costs Put U.S. Workers and Companies at Global Disadvantage (usnews.com)
• HSE: Parliamentary Questions and Accountability (theangryhedgehog.com)

The Canada Local Wellness Report 3909 aggregates the main Local Wellness Stories regarding Canada reported as of Friday March 9^th, 2009 by Canadian and Global Media Sources. Our win-win proposition is simple :

You Report Wellness  - We Give It the Buzz.

Global and Local Wellness audiences interested in Canada Wellness issues subscribe to the Canada Local Wellness Report RSS Feed  to stay abreast of local wellness stories, issues and activities in Canada. The Canada Local Wellness Report is reproduced courtesy of Local Wellness Pages and Local Wellness Coaches:

Canada Wellness News (General)

Health & Wellness Health Canada, Mental Health · Canadian Health Network, Mental Health · Health Canada, Physical Health · Capital Health, Mental Health and Wellness …

www.virtualwellness.ualberta.ca/ index.aspx?Pg=30

Canada Wellness Centers Free health and wellness seminars on-line and at Chapters/Indigo bookstores across Canada. Health expert columns and information. …healing.about.com/od/wccanada/ Canada.htm

Sagee Canada Wellness : North York, ON : 416-907-3586 … Located in the heart of Toronto at Yonge and Sheppard, Sagee Canada Wellness specializes in providing natural supplements and health care services such as North York, ON - 416-907-3586 | business listings from YellowPages.ca((TM)TMwww.yellowpages.ca/bus/Ontario/North- York/.

Health Work and Wellness - Santé Travail Et Mieux-Étre Health Work & Wellness Conference 2009 in Gatineau – Quebec from September 30th – October 3rd 2009. Formation professionnelle: À venir bientôt. Workplace Health Awards: Canadian Workplace Wellness Pioneer Award Canada Awards for Excellence. www.healthworkandwellness.com/

Strathcona County, Alberta, Canada | Millennium Place Wellness Centre Jun 13, 2008 … Strathcona County: Millennium Place Wellness Centre provides many opportunities to help you achieve a healthier lifestyle. www.strathcona.ab.ca/Strathcona/ Departments/Recreation

Myeloma Canada : Wellness Taking care of yourself. Eating well, getting exercise, …. Myeloma Canada is affiliated with the International Myeloma Foundation, …www.myelomacanada.ca/en/ wellness.htm

GM, Canadian Union Agree to Wage, Pension Freeze The Canadian Auto Workers announced a tentative deal with General Motors on Sunday to freeze wages and pensions, and cut paid vacations, as part of GM’s North America restructuring.

New Shape of Fitness Jason Minich knows what they say about his hometown. And he doesn’t much like it. Photo caption: Jason Minich from Catalyst Fitness was recently named one of 10 finalists for the Personal Fitness Professional Trainer of the Year Award. Photo by Dean Musser Jr. | The Journal Gazette

Karo Recognized as Alberta’s Best Workplace Best. Workplace. Ever.

Colorectal cancer Drug Gets Place on Coverage List Colorectal cancer patients are pleased the government has decided to add the expensive drug Avastin to its coverage list. The move will cost Alberta Health and Wellness $4 million to $5 million each year, starting April 1.

Firefighters get ‘Physical’ in Milford “My sister lifts more than that!” The good-natured ribbing flew as firefighters practiced weight-lifting techniques on Wednesday, part of an intense week-long fitness and nutrition course

Author and Motivational Speaker Joyce Schwarz, The Vision Board, Turns SXSW Book. Can you change your luck? Hollywood career strategist and new company launch expert Joyce Schwarz says that you can realize your dreams despite the economy or maybe, because of it.

Parenting in the NOW Presented by Acubalance Wellness Centre: Inspired by Eckhart … VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA– - Dr. Rob Helmer is a Toronto-based author and Doctor of Chinese Medicine bringing his two-day Conscious Parenting Workshops to Victoria and Vancouver March 14 & 15 and 21 & 22, 2009

Traditional healing MANISTEE — In a humble office on Ninth Street on the south side of Manistee, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians operates a clinic housing the Be-Da-Bin Behavioral Health program.

Schools, Holland Hospital offer Fitness Events HOLLAND TOWNSHIP — Glerum Elementary School third-grade student Isabel Barajas jumped up to the bar and completed several pull-ups. The 8-year-old shrugged like there was nothing to it….

Blaze New Career Path with Dressy Look Given the current sober and competitive economic climate, develop a wardrobe with more focus on “business” than “casual.”

SEE THE VIDEO: Big Crunch, a Taste of Healthy Living By TYLER KULA The Observer About 4,500 Sarnia-Lambton students bought into healthy eating on Thursday by simultaneously — and loudly — biting into apples at exactly 9:30 a.m. “Last year we had two schools take part.[...]

Encouraging news? – City sees $10-million grant for Calgary for Recreation … The mayor of Grande Prairie is hopeful the Aquatics and Wellness Multiplex will receive further financial support from the government of Alberta. In light of a recent $10-million provincial grant to Calgary’s Genesis Centre of Community Wellness, Mayor Dwight Logan said he is encouraged.[...]

Hadola: CTC and spa industry collaborate to put Canada on the international wellness map.: Ontario maple-sugar scrubs? E.. tinyurl.com/bh44mu ·

sampasco: Gathering product at www.innerhealingmusic.com for Canada health and wellness expo.

drfrancescutti: Developing a strategy to deal with Alberta Health and Wellness cutting funding for the Alberta Public Health Association…..

kevinhu5562: @DUSTINFRIEL Alberta health and wellness use IBM JSF, while Alberta transportation use ICEFaces.

icts: Susan Anderson from Alberta Health and Wellness will be participating in an executive discussion panel at the 2009 TRLabs ICT Symposium.

osolomama: Happy to report that acupuncture appears to be working. Anyone in TO? I’m going to the Toronto Wellness Centre.

lizbergey: successfully launched our Indoor Air Quality testing service at The Wellness Show in Vancouver this past weekend

juanitang: Obviously a great interest in wellness. Our story on the Vancouver Wellness Show is the No. 2 most emailed story. http://tinyurl.com/abe7y9

janicemanson: Getting ready for my Vancouver Wellness Show talk, ‘Sex Lies & Hypnosis’.

fcvancouver: #fcv BC Health and Wellness - NEEDS MODS AND MEMBERS! ( Vancouver ) Free: www.bchealthandwellness.proboards… http://tinyurl.com/9byyce

fcedmonton: #fce Free Arbonne Membership- Wellness & Antiaging products ( Edmonton ) Free: Offering A Free Arbonne I.. http://tinyurl.com/apjr38

edmontonjournal: Edmonton wellness company ordered to offer refunds: An Edmonton-based wellness company that made unsubstantiated.. http://twurl.nl/otk1rc

cutemat: New info shows its better to cut employees than their wellness offerings. http://www.metronews.ca/calgary/local/article/180071

steveperrylepan: Know anyone with chronic illness? This new wellness studio in Calgary may have the answer http://tinyurl.com/cgcolv

Canada Youth Wellness News

Teen Health and Wellness Web Links - Gateway … MySpace.com Blogs. iEmily The health and wellness web site just for girls. http://www.iemily.com/ … Brazil · Canada · Canada (Français) · Latin America (Español) · Mexico …

Canada Wellness Entertainment News

MySpace Games: Download Free Wendy’s Wellness - New Download the free Wendy’s Wellness game online at MySpace, and check out other New games? play the deluxe game version from your computer. games.myspace.com/GamePage.aspx?code=116644887&genre=New&…

Holistic Wellness for the Hip Hop Generation Video by Supa Nova …… Truth About Soy, Soybeans & Soy Products, Austin Wellness … Brazil · Canada · Canada (Français) · Latin America (Español) · Mexico …vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&…

RitaCanada: Audio - Health is a Choice: Audio Rita Canada points out overall health and natural wellness tips, and how they .. tinyurl.com/8hg4p2

Canada Pet Wellness

The 1st Annual ‘Wags 4 Wellness‘ Event is here … MySpace.com Blogs. Wags 4 Wellness Event – get You and Your Dog in shape On Sunday February 22, 2009. 8:30am-10:45am …

Canada Wellness Products

FCOttawa: #fco Box of Health, Wellness, Nutrition and Fitness/Exercise Books ( Ottawa ) Free: I have a box of photocop.. http://tinyurl.com/9vp9gm

FCOttawa: #fco Box of Health, Wellness, Nutrition and Fitness/Exercise Books ( Ottawa ) Free: I have a box of photocop.. http://tinyurl.com/9vp9gm

Wheelchair Electric Wheel Chair Stair Lift Chair Home Medical … MEDIchair is North America’s largest and fastest growing home medical equipment franchise company with stores from coast-to-coast in Canada. … www.medichair.com/

fcwinnipeg: #fcw Health and Wellness information ( Winnipeg ) Free: This is a fruit product that comes in a bottle. If y.. http://snipurl.com/9lxnf

Canada Wellness Jobs

Today’s Canada Wellness Jobs

Director of fitness and wellness jobs | MySpace Jobs Fitness and Frog’s Fitness brands and manage more than 70 fitness … and Canada. We believe fitness and wellness bring people together. … jobs.myspace.com/a/ms-jobs/list/q- Director of Fitness …

Sonic boom wellness jobs | MySpace Jobs Job search for Sonic Boom Wellness jobs at MySpace Jobs. Take a look at our extensive number of Sonic Boom Wellness job listings! … Brazil · Canada · Canada (Français) · Latin America (Español) · Mexico · United States (English) … jobs.myspace.com/a/ms-jobs/list/q- Sonic Boom Wellness –

Corporate wellness assistant jobs | MySpace Jobs Canada, a Staples Company. Corporate Express, a Staples Company … program, Tuition Reimbursement, Wellness Subsidy, RRSP program and. … jobs.myspace.com/a/ms-jobs/list/q- Corporate Wellness …

Health & wellness consultant jobs | MySpace Jobs Job search for Health & Wellness Consultant jobs at MySpace Jobs. Take a look at our extensive number of Health & Wellness Consultant job listings! … Brazil · Canada · Canada (Français) · Latin America (Español) · Mexico … jobs.myspace.com/a/ms-jobs/list/q- Health & Wellness …

Stargazer_Girl: Job Posting - Workplace Rehab Advisor (OT/PT) - Worksafe & Wellness 0 Vancouver Coastal Health - Vancouver, BC http://bit.ly/q9YUb

Stargazer_Girl: Job Posting - Advisor, Health & Disability Claims - Worksafe & Wellness - Vancouver Coastal Health - Vancouver, BC http://bit.ly/17t73L

Stargazer_Girl: Job Posting - Analyst/Administrative Assistant - Worksafe & Wellness - Vancouver Coastal Health - Vancouver, BC http://bit.ly/16JXNg

Canada Wellness Networks

MySpace.com - Health & Wellness You are about to add Health & Wellness to your MySpace account. … Brazil · Canada · Canada (Français) · Latin America (Español) · Mexico … profile.myspace.com/Modules/Applications/ Pages/Canvas….

Canada WiN Events | Canada Wellness Hubs » Propeller The place where the Canada “ Wellness in Tune ” Communities exchange information regarding any and all local and national annual, summer, winter or year … www.propeller.com/story/2009/01/ 25/

FCOttawa: #fco Five Year Anniversary and Wellness Yoga Open House! ( Ottawa ) Free: Metta Wants To Be Your Valentine…. http://tinyurl.com/bgw2bc.

Canada Wellness Directories

Canadian Wellness Directory of Alternative Medicine Professionals A Canadian alternative medicine internet directory including chiropractic, aromatherapy, acupuncture, massage and complementary health resources. www.canadianwellness.com/alternative/ alternative.asp

canadawellness: Check out this cool - Alberta Health and Wellness Directory - by the Canada Government Services http://budurl.com/dq7a

Canada Medical and Wellness Travel News

Travel Magazine: Spa and Wellness Vacations, Canada Spas, Last … Travel to Wellness is the online magazine for the wellness-minded traveller. Spas and spa vacations around the world, spas in canada, fitness adventures, … www.traveltowellness.com/

Canada’s Best Spas 2009 From Spa Industry Journalist Anne Dimon and …

TraveltoWellness.com announces its top spa picks in Canada for 2009. Eight new categories of best spas and 33 categories in total. The annual list of best spas is compiled by veteran spa journalist Anne Dimon. (PRWeb Mar 6, 2009) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/03/prweb2206314.htm

Air Canada Inflight Wellness | Canada Wellness Hubs As from late 2008 Air Canada has introduced an Inflight Wellness Entertainment program based on My Yoga Online prepared Online Wellness Podcasts. …

Canada Wellness Events Calendar

Events Calendar Calendar Tip: Click on a date to see what’s happening in your community! Add An Event Tip: Keep the community up to date with our shared Events Calendar. You can have your event up and posted in just a couple of minutes with our easy to use Event Information form.

Health Work and Wellness - Santé Travail Et Mieux-Étre Formation professionnelle: À venir bientôt. Workplace Health Awards: Canadian Workplace Wellness Pioneer Award Canada Awards for Excellence. www.healthworkandwellness.com/

Canada Wellness Centers Free health and wellness seminars on-line and at Chapters/Indigo bookstores across Canada. Health expert columns and information. …healing.about.com/od/wccanada/ Canada.htm

The 1st Annual ‘Wags 4 Wellness‘ Event is here … MySpace.com Blogs. Wags 4 Wellness Event – Get You and Your Dog in shape On Sunday February 22, 2009. 8:30am-10:45am ..

candiabetes: Edmonton Health & Wellness show Feb 27 & 28. http://tinyurl.com/bqfu9p

Out_Inc: @thechadj #yeg He’s intown Feb27 @ the Edmonton Health & Wellness show, there’s a chance to be in his exercise class too http://zi.ma/43bb0f

thechadj: Just saw a billboard. Richard Simmons in town tomorrow. Glitter shorts and all. Edmonton sports and wellness show. #yeg

alanyu: Taking my mom to the vancouver wellness show

petequily: Off to the Vancouver Wellness show on today and sunday http://www.thewellnessshow.com/

Out_Inc: looking 4 a specialty, fair-trade coffee house to sample their wares @ in the CoffeeNews area @ the Edmonton Health & Wellness show Feb27&28

0 more results since you started searching. Refresh to see them.

CNW_General: National Health Day - Health and wellness expert declares February 20th National Health Day - Mayor of Ottawa pr.. http://cli.gs/7umSND

FCOttawa: #fco HEALINGTREE.CA | FIND WELLNESS CLASSES/WORKSHOPS IN OTTAWA! ( Ottawa ) Free: We offer you the ultimate .. http://tinyurl.com/6wvrx8

wakeupsmiling: I am going to see Michael Oliver in Calgary! I am very much looking forward to it.It would help me with my skills as a wellness consultant.0 more results since you started searching. Refresh to see them.

stephaniestaple: Working on the upcoming Wellness Retreat in Winnipeg-January 26!

Canada Wellness Centers Free health and wellness seminars on-line and at Chapters/Indigo bookstores across Canada. Health expert columns and information. … healing.about.com/od/wccanada/ Canada.htm

—————————————————

Canada and Global Media Agencies wishing to contribute related pre-published Canada Local Wellness stories/news to the Canada Local Wellness Report are requested to send their submissions via email to Canada Wellness Hubs in the same reporting format as in the Report.

Click Here to return to Canada Wellness Hubs Homepage

Follow Canada Wellness Hubs on Twitter

Related articles by Zemanta

• Mental Health and IT (thielst.typepad.com)
• Baycrest launches campaign for Women’s Brain Health (newswire.ca)
• Mental Health Service Transfer Now Complete (newswire.ca)
• Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario partners with Healthy Interactions to promote better mental health across Canada (newswire.ca)
• Top Academic Achievers Receive CGA-Canada National Awards (newswire.ca)