Federal budget includes $5 million to the Heart and Stroke Foundation for women's heart health research
OTTAWA, March 22, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The Heart and Stroke Foundation today commended the federal government for its commitment to heart health, as demonstrated in the 2016 Federal Budget released this afternoon.
"The federal government's investment in women's heart health research will allow us to fund more life-saving research and save lives," says David Sculthorpe, CEO, Heart and Stroke Foundation. "Increased investments to the Canadian Institutes for Health Research will also help to improve the heart health of Canadians."
The Federal Budget includes an investment of $5 million over five years to the Heart and Stroke Foundation to support targeted research on women's heart health and to promote collaboration between research institutions across the country.
"Heart disease and stroke are leading causes of death among women in Canada, claiming 33,000 lives each year," says Sculthorpe. "Today's investments will help fuel the scientific discovery and collaborations needed to make a meaningful difference to the health and lives of Canadian women."
The federal government also invested $30 million per year for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. "The Foundation is committed to partnering with CIHR to fund researchers dedicated to protecting Canadians' health," says Sculthorpe. "This is a significant increase in funding for new discovery research in Canada."
Other significant investments in the health of Canadian families include $8.4 billion to improve the socio-economic status of Indigenous Peoples and their communities. This includes $554.3 million over two years to address immediate housing needs on reserves; $1.8 billion to strengthen on reserve water and wastewater infrastructure; and $141.7 million over five years to improve the monitoring and testing of on-reserve drinking water. "Ensuring affordable, accessible and safe drinking water for Indigenous people in Canada is a key consideration for optimal health," says Sculthorpe.
"The Heart and Stroke Foundation looks forward to continuing to work closely with the federal government and other partners around health-related issues that will create more survivors," added Sculthorpe. "This is a good day for the heart health of Canadians and a demonstration of commitment on the part of the federal government to the health of Canadians."
The Heart and Stroke Foundation's mission is to prevent disease, save lives and promote recovery. A volunteer-based health charity, we strive to tangibly improve the health of every Canadian family, every day. Healthy lives free of heart disease and stroke. Together we will make it happen. heartandstroke.ca
SOURCE Heart and Stroke Foundation
please contact: Jane-Diane Fraser, Heart and Stroke Foundation, [email protected], 613-406-3282
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