Parliamentary Hearings

Federal Health Committee Tables Report On Neurological Conditions- Summer 2012

At the beginning of the summer of 2012, the federal Health Committee concluded their study on neurological conditions, and tabled their report entitled Focusing on the Brain: an Examination of Neurological Diseases in Canada, to Parliament.
The report focused on several areas including the size and scope of neurological conditions and their impact on Canada’s health care system, the need to promote neurological research and surveillance, the importance of improving the quality of life for those living with neurological conditions in areas such as income security, support for caregivers and access to treatment and therapies, and the need for genetic privacy legislation at both the provincial and federal levels.
The Health Committee also made several recommendations which Neurological Health Charities Canada and its member organizations advocated for including:
• The Government of Canada consider using the results of the National Population Health Study on Neurological Diseases in collaboration with the provinces and territories, as the basis of a pan-Canadian strategy for neurological diseases.
• The Public Health Agency of Canada include neurological conditions within its Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System.
• The Government of Canada continue to promote brain disease research and consider including multidisciplinary research that underlies the commonalities in brain diseases.
• The Canadian Institute of Health Research consider developing more strategic initiatives related to neurological research.
• The Government of Canada consider establishing a Centre of Excellence for Neurodegenerative conditions through its Networks of Centres of Excellence Program.
• The Public Health Agency of Canada continue to explore programs to inform Canadians about neurological diseases.
• The Government of Canada examine existing federal legislation, including the Privacy Act and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, to determine whether it provides sufficient protection regarding the privacy of health information, including the results of genetic testing.
These recommendations are a monumental win for the Neurological Community as they form a powerful message to all parliamentarians about the need for better support for those living with neurological conditions, increased funding for neuroscience, and provide a solid grounding for the advocacy efforts Neurological Health Charities Canada moving forward.
To view a summary of the federal report please click HESA Report- Summary

Health Committee Tables Report Chronic Diseases Related to Aging and Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

In the fall 2011, the federal Health Committee conducted a few studies of interest to the NHCC member – the first on chronic diseases related to aging, and a second on health promotion and disease prevention. Both studies have now been concluded and on May 18, 2012, the Committee tabled a combined report in the House of Commons entitled "Chronic Disease Related to Aging and Health Promotion and Disease Prevention."

It is expected that the report on neurological conditions will be tabled by the Health Committee to the House of Commons before it rises on June 22, 2012, along with a report on Canada’s drug shortage issue. NHCC will provide a link to the report on neurological conditions as soon as it’s available.

NHCC sponsors and attends the Parliamentary Health Research Caucus Brian Health Event - May 14, 2012

To promote the PHSNC, NHCC sponsored and attended the Parliamentary Health Research Caucus Event on Brian Health on May 14th . The event was co-organized by the Health Research Caucus, led by Senator Kelvin Ogilvie, Megan Leslie and Dr. Kirsty Duncan, and Research Canada. Held in Centre Block, it began with a luncheon for the organizers and participating scientists. Joyce Gordon had the opportunity to make a presentation in which she thanked the organizers for their leadership in health research and also provided an overview of NHCC and the importance of the Study. After the luncheon, both Vanessa Foran and Joyce Gordon promoted the work of NHCC to parliamentarians and staffers who attended the drop-in reception. It was a terrific event that really elevated NHCC’s work to date with key decision-makers. A big thank you to Celina Rayonne Chavannes for organizing this opportunity. Please see pictures from the Parliamentary Health Research Caucus Brain Health event.

NHCC provides testimony at recent parliamentary committee hearings on neurological conditions

In early spring, the federal Health Committee resumed the unfinished work of their subcommittee’s study on neurological conditions, which was suspended due to last year’s election. Of the three hearings recently conducted to conclude this study, NHCC was well represented with many members providing testimony including NHCC staff, members of the Scientific Advisory Counsel for the National Population Health Study on Neurological Conditions, and representatives from MS Society Canada, ALS Society of Canada and Parkinson Society Canada.

It is expected that a report on neurological conditions will be tabled by the Health Committee to the House of Commons before it rises on June 22, 2012.

To review the testimony for the Health Committee’s study on neurological conditions, please use the following links:

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