Ministers of Health Agree on Ways to Strengthen the Health of Canadians

At their annual meeting today in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada’s Ministers of Health and/or Health Promotion/Healthy Living agreed to focus more of their attention on helping Canadians, especially children, lead healthier lives.

Ministers endorsed a Declaration on Prevention and Promotion that will guide their efforts to promote healthy living across Canada.

In response to Canada’s high rates of childhood obesity, Ministers also released Curbing Childhood Obesity: A Federal, Provincial and Territorial Framework for Action to Promote Healthy Weights. As a first step they will engage citizens, government and non-government partners, and industry to develop a shared approach to turn the tide on childhood obesity. This will include discussions on different ways to increase the availability and accessibility of nutritious foods, and decrease the marketing of foods and beverages high in fat, sugar and/or sodium to children.

Childhood obesity is a national public health challenge that requires all sectors to get involved to change the social, economic and physical environments that influence the health of children and families.

News Release: Health Ministers Agree on Ways to Help Canadians Live Healthier Lives