Child Health Champions Chart a Clear Course for Canada's Children and Youth

Ottawa, 26/06/2007 -The Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian Paediatric Society, and The College of Family Physicians of Canada launched Canada's Child Health Iniative (CHI). We believe that one of the main priorities of our society must be to provide the conditions in which Canadian children and youth can grow up healthy.

It was for this reason that we convened Canada's first ever Canadian Child Health Summit with the clear objective of achieving consensus on the goals and actions required to improve child and youth health in Canada. Today, we have made significant progress obtaining that goal.

Child health in Canada is at a critical juncture. Poor health in the early years can place children on a damaging trajectory for the rest of their lives. It is therefore vital that Canada focus it efforts on the significant health challenges faced by Canadian children and youth.

To provide the focus needed participants at the Child Health Summit, Canada's Child Health Champions, have developed three important documents to deliver on our goal, those being:

• The Child and Youth Health Charter: The Broad Vision, Goals and Objectives for Improving Child and Youth Health in Canada
• The Child and Youth Health Challenge: The Specific Actions that are Required to Realize the Goals and Objectives of the Charter
• The Child Health Declaration: Representing a Collective Commitment of all Child Health Champions to making Child and Youth Health a national priority.

Canada's Charter for Child and Youth Health:
To reach their full potential, children need to grow up in a place where they can thrive - spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically and intellectually - and get high-quality health care when they need it.

Child Health Champions have come together to develop a Charter based on the principles that all Canadian children and youth must have access to a safe and secure environment; good health and development, and a full range of health resources.

Child and Youth Health Challenge:
Because a Charter alone will not deliver on the vision that Canada's children and youth will be the healthiest in the world, the Child Health Challenge was developed to identify a specific action plan to implement the goals and objectives of the Charter. It targets governments, agencies and individuals who by virtue of legislation, regulation or policy have the ability to affect change for children.

While approving five broad pillars of a Challenge, Child Health Champions have identified three immediate priorities for action:

• The Creation of a Commissioner for Canada's Children and Youth to advise, investigate, coordinate and report annually on the health and well-being of Canadian Children
• The Establishment of specific Child Health Goals,Targets and Policies to focus efforts, actions and investments as well measure and evaluate progress.
• The Development of an Aboriginal Child and Youth Strategy to address the special need of First Nations, Inuit and Métis children and youth.

Child Health Declaration:
Canada's Child Health Champions recognize that improving child health will require the collective participation of governments, businesses, health care providers, parents and communities - with the active participation of children and youth. It also requires a collective commitment to action.

To that end, Canada's Child Health Champions came together today to express their collective commitment by signing a Declaration that commits them to the vision of working together toward the goal of ensuring Canadian children and youth have best possible opportunity to realize their full potential.

We would particularly like to acknowledge the participation of the business community - especially our sponsors, Bell Canada, Microsoft and APCO Worldwide. They realize that the health of our children and youth is not only a medical issue, it has an impact on our economy, our productivity, our human resources, and our future as a nation.

Canada's Child Health Initiative (CHI) - Moving Forward:
While the Summit has achieved important progress, CMA, CPS, and CFPC recognize there is still much more to do. Therefore we commit to further engagement with stakeholders and the public, especially Canadian children, youth and parents. We also recognize the need to develop partnerships with others organizations and groups to exchange information and further develop policies and action to improve the health of Canada's youngest citizens.

We recognize that improving child and youth health will take time, sustained commitment and adequate resources. However, we believe now is the time for action. Together with Canada's Child Health Champions, we believe we can build the momentum necessary to make a difference in health of Canadian children.

Further information on the Child Health Summit can be accessed at: www.ourchildren.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Canadian Medical Association
Steve Wharry
Media Relations 613-298-4669

Canadian Paediatric Society
Olivia Craft
Senior Public Relations Coordinator
613-850-4868

The College of Family Physicians of Canada
Jayne Johnston
Communications Manager
905-629-0900 ext.303