What People are saying about a National Action Plan on Lung Health
What People are saying about a National Action Plan on Lung Health
"Continued commitment to research is the cornerstone to the lung health of Canadians, and Pfizer Canada commends the Government for recognizing this. Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, but it is also the most preventable. We are proud to support the National Lung Health Framework because it will raise awareness about the issues, advance the development of cures for lung disease and will take steps in the right direction for creating a lung health action plan that responds to the needs of Canadians. We believe it takes more than medication to be truly healthy and we share The Lung Association’s goal for advocacy and public awareness efforts in the prevention of chronic respiratory disease and smoking cessation”. – Paul Lévesque, President, Pfizer Canada
“The Lung Health Framework will be vital to Inuit because of some recently published startling facts regarding the respiratory health of Inuit in Canada. The Inuit rates of smoking are at 66% compared to 19% amongst all Canadians. Further, lung cancer rates for Inuit are the highest in the world; and, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada, Inuit tuberculosis rates are 90 times higher than among the non-aboriginal population born in Canada. Some very important outcomes listed in the Lung Health Framework which are relevant to Inuit, but are not limited to Inuit include: addressing lung health issues in an inclusive, holistic, respectful way as well as addressing the disparities in health between Inuit and other Canadians. Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) hopes the implementation of the Framework will result in better lung health for Inuit in the near future”. –Mary Simon, President, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
“The National Lung Health Framework reflects the importance of identifying issues that are important to Aboriginal Canadians. The Framework has involved an inclusive and welcoming process involving several Aboriginal organizations along the way and is a great model for the planning and development stages for other partner organizations that are in the process of developing their own frameworks and ensuring that the Aboriginal voice is heard throughout the process”. – Dr. Malcolm King, Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health, National Lung Health Framework Steering Committee Member
“AstraZeneca Canada is very excited about the potential the National Lung Health Framework Action Plan presents. Developed by stakeholders across the country, this system-wide plan will help address key gaps in the management and treatment of respiratory disease in Canada, ultimately helping patients lead fuller and more productive lives”. – Mark Jones, President & CEO, AstraZeneca Canada Inc
“As a former provincial Minister of Health, I can well appreciate the challenges and opportunities facing our health care system. In my view, the National Lung Health Framework is exactly what Canada needs to move forward in tackling some of the toughest issues surrounding lung health. Education, prevention and innovation are the keys to a 21st century health care system – the National Lung Health Framework will help us get there!” – Dr. Dennis Furlong, former New Brunswick Minister of Health
“Reducing the incidence, severity and impact of respiratory illness in Canada has been a long-standing priority for GlaxoSmithKline. We could not work to achieve this goal without partnering with groups like the Canadian Lung Association, who have done a tremendous job in advocating for support from the federal government to create the National Lung Health Framework. Collectively, we can now strive to implement the strategies needed to advance respiratory health to the benefit of all those living with lung disease in this country”. – Paul Lucas, President and CEO of GlaxoSmithKline Inc
“The National Lung Health Framework will allow us to work with other stakeholders to explore new ways to fight asthma and its triggers such as indoor and outdoor air pollution and second hand smoke. The Framework is a made in Canada solution that will go a long way to helping us lower rates of asthma among all ages!” – Christine Hampson, President, The Asthma Society, National Lung Health Framework Steering Committee Member
"COPD is one of the leading causes of death and disability in Canada with more than 10,000 Canadians who will die this year alone from this devastating disease - with the National Lung Health Framework we can continue finding new treatment options and therapies designed to help the 3 million people struggling with this debilitating disease. The National Lung Health Framework is good news for patients with COPD - it will accelerate the pace of new discoveries in Canada and ensure that Canadians with this disease receive the best and the most cutting-edge treatment to ensure their health and well-being!" – Dr. Donald Sin, Canadian Research Chair in Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia James Hogg iCAPTURE Centre for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research
"The right to breathe clean air is something we all must protect. The National Lung Health Framework is something long needed in Canada to help protect this right and to ensure clean air, and in turn, good lung health for all. Clean Air Champions (CAC), a national charity, has been a part of the Framework since its inception and we are proud to play a role in its development. CAC focuses on educating and inspiring Canadians to get active for cleaner air and healthier bodies. Our Champions, national team athletes, Olympians and Paralympians rely on their lungs for their sport careers and are directly impacted by poor air quality. The audiences our Champions reach across Canada are primarily youth - many who are greatly impacted by poor lung health, such as juvenile asthma, that is worsened by poor air quality. The need for the Framework for these and other many other reasons has never been stronger and I am excited to be part of its implementation across Canada".– Deirdre Laframboise, Executive Director, Clean Air Champions, National Lung Health Framework Steering Committee Member
“The importance of developing key strategies within the National Lung Health Framework to address the critical areas of indoor and outdoor air quality issues cannot be over stated. The incorporation of evidence-based peer-reviewed research studies, along with education, communication, outreach and advocacy, is key in improving the air we breathe for the six million Canadians who suffer from lung disease”. – Kenneth Maybee, Chair of Environmental Issues, The Canadian Lung Association
“The National Lung Health Framework is the first strategy in Canada that will improve the lung health of Canadians. There are many lung health factors and risks that people are not aware of. The Framework will provide Canadians with essential information and tools to increase awareness, knowledge and an understanding of lung health issues so they are aware of the associated risks and can manage and improve their overall health”. – Peter MacKenzie, Lung Cancer Canada, National Lung Health Framework Steering Committee Member
“I believe the National Lung Health Framework will increase the visibility of lung disease. Health care professionals will have improved access to best practice information and resources. As a result, people living with lung conditions and their families will have improved care. They will also have access to more community and facility supports. Lung health is vital to the well-being of every Canadian, after all, "when you can't breathe, nothing else matters." – Cheryl Winger, RN BScN CRE, Past-Chair Canadian Respiratory Health Professionals, Brandon Regional Health Authority