Three of four provincial parties break silence on health
By Nelson Daily Staff
The BC Heart and Stroke Foundation announced results from a survey of the four provincials parties on the eve of the Tuesday, May 14 vote.
In March 2013, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, BC & Yukon sent a survey to British Columbia’s major political parties and incumbent Independent MLAs on 10 key policy priorities and principles that impact heart disease and stroke.
As a non-partisan organization, the Foundation felt it was important for British Columbians voting in the upcoming Provincial General Election to be informed on what the position of each of these parties is on these key issues that impact cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health.
“British Columbians care about health, and they need to know where the parties stand on the issues,” said Diego Marchese, CEO, BC & Yukon of the Heart and Stroke Foundation in a prepared statement.
“Our survey results will show voters who is focusing in on their particular interests and let them make informed decisions on Election Day.”
The survey concluded that BC Liberals would double the number of Automated External Defibrillators in public places, the BC NDP will prohibit the sale of tobacco in pharmacies, and the Green Party of BC will implement a tax on junk food.
These are just some of the responses to a pre-election survey about provincial health issues released today by the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
“Currently, almost half of British Columbia’s budget is spent on health care,” Marchese explained.
“A large portion of this goes to treating hypertension, congestive heart failure, diabetes and other chronic conditions. Ironically, most chronic conditions are largely preventable through the management of risk factors, so a greater and sustained focus on disease prevention and health promotion would bring about better health outcomes for individuals, a stronger, more productive workforce, and a stronger economy for the province.
“Yet, thus far in the election campaign, the major political parties have spent more time talking about the health of the economy than the health of the people. This survey was their chance to address that.”
To date, three of the major parties responded to the survey.
It included questions about disease prevention and health promotion; physical activity, the built environment and the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children and youth; CPR training for high-school students and increasing the availability of Automated External Defibrillators in public areas; smoke-free multi-unit dwellings and tobacco sale restrictions; and stroke care best practices.
The survey and results are available at www.heartandstroke.bc.ca/bcelection
“We were encouraged by some of the answers we received,” Marchese said.
“For example, the BC Liberals will continue the Smoking Cessation Program. The BC NDP want to provide better access to nutritious local food. The Green Party of BC will shift a significant percentage of health care funding from hospital and acute care to community-based services geared to prevention and health promotion.These are all important issues to our Foundation.”
The Heart and Stroke Foundation, a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke, reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living and advocacy. Healthy lives free of heart disease and stroke.
