“The problems are in danger of overwhelming our health service”

The issue of preventative measures in health care, and rising costs to the BC medical system, has generated more comment.  I am not at liberty to disclose the name of the person who has provided the following, however they are well able to make the Guest Comments which follow:

Chronic health problems are indeed a very significant health care problem.  I am not surprised at the comments of Ms. Kaminski.

The 2 problems are firstly dealing with the present situation and at the same time the issue of prevention. At present we have illnesses such as Aides, Tuberculosis and Diabetes all needing life long or extensive drug therapy.   All Transplant patients go on anti-rejection drugs indefinitely.

The major group though are those aged 60 and on -- and the huge group of 'Baby Boomers' that have just started to enter this age group.  They are facing Cancer, Heart disease, Strokes and chronic respiratory disease to mention the big ones.

Their health care needs may be judged by the fact that their average yearly health cost rises from just under $4000 per year to $20,000 if they reach 90.  Frequent visits to their physician, hospital stays with or without surgery and a big pharmacy cost all combine to account for the rising cost.

The preventive aspects must be addressed at the same time.  The ones we know about are obesity leading to heart problems and diabetes -- smoking causing a sharp rise in lung cancer -- also poor diet and lack of activity -- as well as poverty being precursors of health problems.

Unfortunately we have yet to have definite preventive measures for most cancers, and must rely on early diagnosis to attain good treatment results. Immunization for cervical cancer is one bright spot. 

I think that education starting in school, with strong publicity, is the route to take; rather than a lot of restrictions which seem to result in undercover availability.

Well this is a short note -- but the problems are in danger of overwhelming our health service.

Regards … W

I note with concern his closing comment that, “the problems are in danger of overwhelming our health service”.  There will not be a quick fix to the problem -- but we have to make real improvements to our entire health care system in BC -- especially with an eye to preventative aspects.  The easiest place we can start on that one, is with our children who have an insatiable hunger, and thirst to learn, as they enter the early years of schooling.