Send a message to the Minister

We need your help to secure a Wellness Foundation.  You can help influence government action  by asking for new and sustainable investments in chronic disease prevention in the form of a Wellness Foundation.

Your voice matters and can make a difference in encouraging the government to take action to prevent chronic disease in order to build a healthier future for all Albertans. Please add your name to the growing list of supporters from across the province.

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I believe the Alberta Government should establish a Wellness Foundation in Alberta, which is:

1. Well-financed (equivalent to at least one percent of the provincial health budget);
2. Sustained and protected by legislation; and,
3. Functions independent of the acute health care system to maintain financial autonomy, accountability and transparency.

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Submitting your name and personal message reflects your support for a wellness foundation, which will be shared with public and government stakeholders.

Let the Health and Wellness Ministers know...

• Alberta is experiencing a chronic disease epidemic: Chronic disease (cancer, diabetes, lung and heart disease) is the leading cause of death and disability in Alberta. In 2012, an estimated 6,100 Albertans will die from cancer and over 16,000 new cases will be diagnosed. In 2009, 1 in 15 adults in Alberta were living with diabetes and over 1,300 new cases were diagnosed each month . In 2008, over 150,000 Albertans suffered from heart disease. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is among the top five reasons for costly hospital admissions in Alberta and results in the longest stay compared to other diseases. Over half of adults in Canada and Alberta, and over a quarter of Canadian children and adolescents are classified as overweight or obese, a known risk factor for chronic disease.
• Alberta is not investing enough in preventing disease and promoting health: Over 40 percent of chronic diseases can be prevented through eating healthy, being physically active, reducing alcohol use and not using tobacco products. Protecting mental health by preventing adverse childhood experiences and reducing risk for injury and disability is also crucial to preventing chronic disease. In Alberta, only about 3 percent of the health budget is spent on preventing disease and promoting health, while over 90 percent of spending is dedicated to treating and managing preventable disease.
• Alberta needs a wellness foundation to transform the health and quality of life of Albertans: New, long-term sustainable investments in prevention are needed to promote healthy living and to reduce the burden of chronic disease and disability on our health care system. Investing in a wellness foundation which operates independent of the healthcare system and is dedicated to evidence-based prevention and health promotion is a good value for money: a one dollar investment can be expected to result in a minimum of $4 to $5 cost savings in future acute care expenditures