OTTAWA – More than 30 organizations from across Canada are forming partnerships in a $15.5 million series of initiatives aimed at preventing chronic disease – a challenge that the United States is also tackling. Electronic health records play a critical role in Canada's plan.

Canada's Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq announced Feb. 3 the launch of seven innovative chronic-disease prevention programs, supported by $15.5 million from the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

"Our government is working to fight these chronic diseases, which affect millions of Canadians and their families every year," said Aglukkaq. "Working with health partners across the country on innovative prevention methods – especially in vulnerable Aboriginal communities and remote northern regions – will help address the root causes of these illnesses."

The funded programs include:

• Harnessing electronic medical record systems and evidence-based approaches to increase prevention and screening for heart disease, diabetes and cancer in participating doctors' offices;
• Tackling childhood obesity by limiting the accessibility and appeal of unhealthy food choices;
• Working with First Nations communities in two provinces to develop chronic-disease prevention training programs for community-based health workers.

The funding is the result of an open call for proposals issued last June by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, an independent group funded by the federal government to accelerate action on cancer control.

About two-thirds of deaths in Canada are due to chronic diseases, many of which – like heart disease and many cancers – can be prevented through healthier lifestyles and healthier communities, Aglukkaq noted.

Groups funding the initiative include the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

"CLASP (Collaboration Linking Science and Action) is the first initiative of its kind to support organizations working together to prevent chronic disease," said Simon Sutcliffe, MD, chairman of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. "This team effort - sharing knowledge and driving action to prevent diseases like cancer and heart disease - truly demonstrates that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts."

The coalitions will incorporate scientific, practice and policy expertise as they build on chronic disease prevention efforts already under way in many provinces and territories.