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Key messages for Canadian Brain and Nerve Health Coalition (CBANHC) Impact Study

  • Canada’s population is aging. The population over 65 years of age will double as the “baby boomer” group matures. The number of neurological diseases, disorders and injuries will increase in the next few years, especially in the areas of Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and dementia.
  • In fact, about $5.5 billion per year is spent caring for patients with dementia. The total annual cost of traumatic injury to the brain and spinal cord is an estimated $5 billion. Strokes cost the Canadian economy approximately $2.7 billion a year.
  • These costs will escalate as our population increases and ages. Access to long-term and adequate care will become a problem as the number of patients outgrow current health care facilities and the shortage of neurologists and neurosurgeons puts a strain on Canada’s health care system.
  • Neurological disorders lack sufficient public awareness and support and, as a result, do not receive the healthcare dollars needed to develop new techniques, treatments and research breakthroughs. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians will experience loss of independence, dignity and self-worth.
  • Because there are so many different nervous system diseases, disorders and injuries, there has not been a single “voice” to speak on behalf of the neurosciences. As a result, neurological disorders have been largely overlooked until now.
  • The Impact Study is a collaborative project between the Canadian Brain and Nerve Health Coalition (CBANHC), (a program of the Canadian Congress of Neurological Sciences), Canadian Institute of Health Information (CIHI), Health Canada, Neuroscience Canada and the Canadian Association of Neurosciences.
  • The first ever Impact Study, expected to be released in a report early next year, will document existing data that is currently available on the incidence, prevalence, economic and social impact of neurological diseases, disorders and injuries in Canada.
  • The Impact Study report will feature 35 neurological diseases, disorders and injuries, and will include descriptions, signs and symptoms, evidence-based treatments and data from various national database sources.
  • This study will clearly identify the areas where there is little or no knowledge about the incidence, prevalence and economic burden of illness. The identification of areas where no data is available is crucial to pursue as evidence based medicine and targeted research becomes more important in these times of increasing medical costs.
  • The report will provide important information to key stakeholders and decision-makers who are responsible for building a long-term national strategy for neurological sciences in the areas of clinical care and research.
  • A long-term strategy that includes:
    • Shorter access time to innovative pharmaceutical and technological advances;
    • Improved access for diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders;
    • Increased funding to assist with neurosciences research initiatives;
    • Increased public awareness and support for neurological disorders;
    • Formulation of new public policy on national, regional and provincial levels that will include neurological disorders.

About CBANHC and its Partners

  • The Canadian Brain and Nerve Health Coalition (CBANHC), a program of the Canadian Congress of Neurological Sciences (CCNS), is committed to improving the quality of life of Canadians with brain, spinal cord or nerve disorders and injuries. CBANHC’s membership includes voluntary health and non-governmental organizations.

CBANHC’s Goals:

By working in synergy with all of its members, CBANHC will:</p>

  • Promote timely access to cost-effective medicines, treatments and health services including rehabilitation.
  • Promote and support research and education relevant to the optimum health of people living with the effects of disorders, diseases and injuries to the nervous system.
  • Promote public and government awareness of the incidence and impact of nervous system disorders and injuries.
  • The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) is a pan-Canadian, independent and non-profit organization working to improve the health of Canadians and the health care system by providing quality, reliable and timely health information. CIHI is well positioned to support this work through its key relationships with stakeholder, its data holding and reputation as a trusted entity as a custodian of health information. CIHI is also a leader in the publication and dissemination of health information products.
  • Health Canada is the federal department responsible for helping the people of Canada maintain and improve their health. Health Canada is committed to improving the lives of all Canadians and to making this country’s population among the healthiest in the world as measured by longevity, lifestyle and effective use of the public health care system.
  • NeuroScience Canada is a national, non-profit organization that develops and supports collaborative, multidisciplinary research across the neurosciences. This research is aimed at discovering treatments and cures for diseases, disorders and injuries of the brain, spinal cord and nervous system, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, chronic pain, autism, depression, brain tumours and spinal cord injuries.
  • The Canadian Association of Neuroscience is a non-profit organization that seeks to represent the interests of Canadian neuroscientists at national and international levels by promoting research in all neuroscience disciplines, contributing to the advancement of education in the neurosciences and by raising funds for clinical research.