There is no doubt that the healthcare system in Canada is under strain. The current state of healthcare in Canada is a hot topic, with people on all sides of the issue offering their opinions. But what does the evidence say? And what can we do to make things better? In this post, we’ll take a look at the current state of healthcare in Canada, and explore some potential solutions. Stay tuned for more!
Current research
According to a recent report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), hospital admissions in Canada have increased by 3.5% since 2015. This is partly due to our aging population, as more seniors are requiring medical care. However, it’s also due to the fact that people are living with chronic diseases than ever before. These conditions often require ongoing treatment and support, which can put a strain on our healthcare system.
In addition to an aging population and increasing rates of chronic disease, another factor contributing to the current state of healthcare in Canada is our high rates of obesity. According to Statistics Canada, 26.9% of Canadians aged 18 and over are considered obese. This is a significant health concern, as obesity is linked to a number of chronic conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
The current state of healthcare in Canada is also being affected by the opioid crisis. According to CIHI, there were 2,946 hospitalizations due to opioids in 2016-2017, which is an increase of 30% from the previous year. The majority of these hospitalizations were for accidental overdoses. The opioid crisis is having a ripple effect on our healthcare system, as it strains resources and puts a strain on hospitals and frontline workers.
What can be done?
There are many potential solutions to the current state of healthcare in Canada. One way to ease the strain on our system is to focus on prevention and early intervention. This means investing in public health initiatives that promote healthy living and help people to prevent chronic diseases. It also means investing in programs that help people to manage their conditions before they become severe.
Another way to improve the current state of healthcare in Canada is to increase access to primary care. This includes things like family doctors, nurse practitioners, and community health centres. When people have easy access to primary care, they are more likely to get the care they need early on, before their condition becomes more serious.