Differences in access to new treatments between Canada and the United States may soon lead to better cancer outcomes in the United States than in Canada.

At the 2006 World Patients Congress, patient advocates from around the world gathered to endorse the International Alliance of Patient Organizations’ (IAPO) declaration of patient centered care. The declaration describes five key principles of patient centered care including “choice and empowerment”, i.e.: patients have a right and responsibility to participate as a partner in making healthcare decisions that affect their lives.

Increasingly, employers are taking a proactive approach to encourage healthy lifestyle choices to prevent chronic disease among their workers.

Obesity is a serious risk factor for a variety of chronic diseases and conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis. Encouraging and promoting healthy lifestyles are effective ways to reduce the incidence of chronic disease and contain health spending growth.

According to Canada’s Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, chronic disease is estimated to account for 87 percent of disability in Canada and two-thirds (67%) of all direct health care costs.