CDPAC's call to action on household food insecurity in Canada

As a network of Canada's major national, provincial and territorial health organizations, the Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada (CDPAC) is joining the call for federal action on household food insecurity in Canada.

Household food insecurity, the inadequate or insecure access to food because of financial constraints, is a pressing national issue that can no longer be ignored. The latest data from the PROOF research team indicates that 1 in 8 households, representing 4.4 million Canadians, experience food insecurity and this number is expected to rise due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

CDPAC and its member organizations share a common vision for an integrated system of research, surveillance, policies and programs to promote healthy living and prevent chronic diseases. In Canada, diet-related diseases are a leading cause of death and disability. The cost of diet-related disease in Canada in 2015 was estimated at $26 billion. Further, adults in food-insecure households have higher rates of a range of chronic disease, which place a significant burden on individual health and the health system. Many of these same chronic conditions also increase risk of more severe outcomes due to COVID-19.

Household food insecurity is an income-based issue closely tied to markers of social and economic disadvantage. To significantly reduce rates of household food insecurity in Canada, comprehensive income policy is required to ensure all Canadians are able to meet basic needs.

Effective, long-term strategies to reduce household food insecurity and its roots are needed, now more than ever, to promote health and prevent chronic disease. 

 Read our full call to action on household food insecurity in Canada and key policy recommendations.

 Read our press release in partnership with the University of Alberta School of Public Health, Alberta Policy Coalition for Chronic Disease and PROOF research team.















Contact your MP

Share the Call to Action with your MP and tell them it's time for income-based policy action on household food insecurity in Canada. 

Spread the word on Twitter 

Millions of Canadians struggle to put food on the table because of financial constraints and this problem is likely to get worse. Federal action is needed to address this pressing issue, now more than ever. Read @theCDPAC’s call to action: https://bit.ly/cdpacfoodinsecurity #cdnpoli

Copy the image above and be sure to tag @theCDPAC and @APCCP!   

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Chronic disease and COVID-19

COVID-19 is a serious health threat. While COVID-19 can make anyone sick, some Canadians with specific health circumstances are at an increased risk of more severe outcomes, including individuals:
  • aged 65 and over
  • with compromised immune systems
  • with underlying medical conditions
Some medical conditions and treatments such as chemotherapy may weaken immune systems. Cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension and lung disease are all considered underlying medical conditions. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, as of April 28, 74% of hospitalized cases in Canada reported one or more underlying health condition. 
Visit the Public Health Agency of Canada for the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Canada: www.canada.ca/coronavirus.  
See COVID-19 resources below from some CDPAC members: 


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Federal election 2019 - survey responses

The Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada recommends that all parties commit to increasing healthy living investments, with an emphasis on scale-up of evidence informed policies and programs, in collaboration with provinces, territories and municipal governments and other partners.

Related to this recommendation, we sent several key questions related to chronic disease prevention and healthy living to each of the federal parties asking if elected: 
a) how will your party address chronic diseases and shared risk factors?
b) how will your party increase healthy living investments to tackle chronic disease in Canada
c) how will your party scale-up evidence informed policies and programs to reduce the burden of chronic disease in Canada?

Wondering how the parties responded about their commitment to chronic disease prevention? Check out their responses:
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Federal Election 2019

The Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada (CDPAC) is an alliance of Canada’s major national health organizations sharing a common vision for an integrated system of research, surveillance, policies, and programs to promote healthy living and prevent chronic diseases. The four most common chronic diseases, also called NCDs, are cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory disease. These are largely preventable and share common risk factors. Reducing tobacco use and alcohol consumption, increasing physical activity and supporting healthy diets will all help to reduce the incidence of chronic diseases in Canada. These risk factors also influence mental health and there is growing recognition to include mental health in conversations about chronic diseases. Individually and collectively, we have been active in both raising awareness about how to reduce risk factors associated with these diseases and in encouraging Canadians to take preventive action. 

In 2016, about 226,000 Canadians died from cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory disease. Together, these diseases account for 88% of all deaths in Canada. The causes are complex and require a comprehensive approach spanning multiple departments at multiple levels of government, civil society and the private sector. 

The Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada recommends that all parties commit to increasing healthy living investments, with an emphasis on scale-up of evidence informed policies and programs, in collaboration with provinces, territories and municipal governments and other partners.

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History of CDPAC

The Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada (CDPAC) was constituted in 2001 to strengthen linkages among established, new and emerging chronic disease prevention initiatives in Canada. The idea of a national alliance emerged from the experience of many organizations in several initiatives.

 In the summer of 2001, the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA), Canadian Cancer Society (CCS), Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (HSFC) and Health Canada drafted a work plan for a two-year project. The work plan was discussed, revised and ratified by the group. At that time, the CCS, HSFC and CDA submitted a letter of intent for grant funding through the Voluntary Sector Initiative (VSI). In November 2001, these groups held a consultation with various stakeholder organizations across the country. 

 With input from this meeting, a small Steering Committee was pulled together in 2002 to establish the mission, purpose, objectives and structure of the Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada. The founding members included:

  • Canadian Cancer Society 
  • Canadian Council for Tobacco Control
  • Canadian Diabetes Association
  • Canadian Public Health Association
  • Coalition for Active Living
  • Dietitians of Canada
  • Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
  • Public Health Agency of Canada
The Steering Committee has grown and evolved many times since its inception of 2002. A list of current members can be found here. 

 In October 2013, CDPAC became a federally incorporated not-for-profit, and voted in its board of directors. In 2018, CDPAC returned to unincorporated status. 



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Networks and groups

CDPAC is a proud supporting member of the Stop Marketing to Kids Coalition, a national coalition advocating for restrictions on food and beverage marketing to children and youth that launched February 24th 2016 at the Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada pan-Canadian conference. 

 Co-led by Heart & Stroke and the Childhood Obesity Foundation, the Stop Marketing to Kids Coalition says the time has come to protect children and to support parents to make healthy decisions for their families. The coalition developed the Ottawa Principles, which outline the policy recommendation of restricting commercial marketing of all food and beverages to children and youth 16 and under. The restrictions would not apply to non-commercial marketing for valid public health education or public awareness campaigns. The Ottawa Principles also include a set of definitions, scope, and principles to guide policy development. 

 More information about the coalition including the Ottawa Principles, and a mechanism for concerned Canadians to send their member of parliament a letter supporting restrictions on food and beverage marketing to kids, is available at the coalition website at www.stopmarketingtokids.ca.

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Infographics

The following set of infographics explain chronic diseases including common risk factors for chronic disease, provide evidence on the scope and magnitude of chronic diseases in Canada, and demonstrate measures to promote healthy living and prevent chronic diseases. These infographics can be used to inform decision-makers about actions to support healthy living for chronic disease prevention.

CDPAC's Overview of Chronic Disease in Canada: Includes information on the most prevalent non-communicable chronic diseases, top risk factors for these diseases, and policy and individual measures to address them
CDPAC's Economic Impact of Chronic Disease in Canada: Includes information on the economic burden of chronic diseases in Canada from four key risk factors; how much money could be saved by modest reductions in key chronic disease risk factors; and selected policies, programs and research to support chronic disease prevention
From our partners:
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