Canadian lifespans have increased by 30 years in the past century and fully 25 of those are attributable to advances in public health. Today we round out our list of the most significant public health success of the century.
Motor vehicle safety has evolved along with the ever-increasing numbers of vehicles. Imagine the issues of 1920s traffic in comparison to those we see now. Seatbelts were required to be installed in all new motor vehicles as of the early 1970s; in 1976, their use became mandatory in Ontario.
And testimony to changing technology, Newfoundland became the first province to ban handheld cell phones while driving. Add in the massive efforts to end drinking and driving and we see safety on today's roads quite differently.
Coronary disease and stroke are another area where public health has really made a difference. By 1977, death rates had halved from 1969. ParticipACTION launched in 1971 and nudged us to become more fit. Education programs about high blood pressure as the "silent killer" helped.
Healthier mothers and babies has come about as various measures have been taken. Early in the century, many major health threats were associated with poor maternal and infant health. The Family Allowance program was the first universal welfare program and offered monthly payments to families. And the implementation of maternity-leave policies in 1971 further helped.
Recognizing that the determinants of health offered actionable programs that would improve community health was another important milestone in Canadian public health. An early example was the introduction of medical inspection of children in schools in 1910.
Universal policies that reduce socio-economic disparities have reduced the risk of poor health for many Canadians. Since income and education have a direct effect on health status, Canada's universal access to health care and education helps Canadians maintain a high standard of health.
Well into the 1900s, many diseases or injuries were associated with unsafe workplaces or hazardous occupations. One of the most important policies to help came in 1914 with the introduction of guaranteed no-fault benefits for workers from a system funded by employers; in exchange, employers were freed from legal liability.
Rounding out our dozen public health successes is the introduction of family planning. Women had long wanted to control when to have children and various education and family planning measures have improved their lot. For example, waiting until a woman is at least 18 years old improves the health of both mother and child, as does waiting at least two years before conceiving another child. The first birth-control clinic opened in Ontario in 1932; in 1960, Canada approved the sale of the birth control pill.
The advances in public health have made all our lives safer, healthier, and yes, better.
Dr. Paul Martiquet is the Medical Health Officer for Rural Vancouver Coastal Health including Powell River, the Sunshine Coast, Sea-to-Sky, Bella Bella and Bella Coola..
