Hello. I’m Dr. Theresa Tam, the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada.
My annual report this year is a snapshot of our health status as a nation – with a special focus on the prevention of problematic substance use among youth.
In terms of our health status, we generally live long and healthy lives in Canada.
Compared to other high income countries, Canada ranks among the healthiest.
That said, I do remain concerned about the influence of persistent health inequalities – that is – the gap in the health status between various populations.
You will see in the report that chronic and infectious diseases, mental health and health inequalities are important issues.
But I am especially concerned about problematic substance use among youth.
There have been over 8000 opioid-related deaths in Canada since 2016. This is tragic and unacceptable.
Also, high rates of problematic alcohol consumption are leading to a wide range of harms. A quarter of youth in grades 7 to 12 use alcohol excessively.
I am also keenly aware that changes to the legal status of cannabis underscore the need to help our youth understand that ‘legal’ does not mean ‘safe’.
This is a key moment in Canada to examine and strengthen our response across all areas of potential action including prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery.
We have to act now to reverse some of these current trends for future generations.
This will require collaboration among many partners to work together to encourage healthy behaviours and tackle stigma and discrimination.
I hope this report will help to inform your efforts, stimulate discussion, and lead to renewed action to reduce harmful use of substances in Canada.
