Health

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada. Promising breakthrough cancer treatments are starting to make a difference—but only when patients can access them. There are many existing gaps in patient access that have led to lost economic value, and for Canadians facing cancer, lost tomorrows. To improve timely access to breakthrough cancer treatments regulatory changes need to be made today—because tomorrow can’t wait.

Online experience  |  8-min read
February 4, 2022

The everyday impact of cancer on Canadians cannot be underestimated. Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada. In 2020, cancer was responsible for 83,300 deaths, and 225,800 Canadians were newly diagnosed with the disease. Promising new treatments are starting to make a difference, but this will happen only when patients can access them.

Issue briefing  |  9-min read
February 4, 2022

Alzheimer’s disease is a growing concern in Canada. Scientific progress is shedding more light on its pathology and opening doors to new treatments. When will patients start to see the benefits? Disease-modifying therapies will change how we view, diagnose, and manage Alzheimer’s disease (AD). These innovations have the potential to bring lasting change by either slowing down or stopping the progression of AD. They offer hope—shifting the perspective that AD is an incurable and fatal disease.

Impact paper  |  8-min read
January 24, 2022

In the fourth wave of the pandemic, here is what Canadian clinicians want you to know about how it has affected their work practices and personal well-being. COVID-19 has had a huge impact on those at the front lines of healthcare. Reports of physicians, nurses, and other essential healthcare workers experiencing fatigue, burnout, and mental health crises are becoming more frequent, as are stories of professionals thinking of leaving or who have already quit.

Summary for executives  |  4-min read
December 7, 2021

How do first responders in Canada experience occupational stress? Together, The Conference Board of Canada and the Public Services Health and Safety Association (PSHSA) created a tool to assess first responders’ occupational stress injury risks. This tool’s development stemmed from PSHSA’s ongoing work to support employees and employers in preventing mental injury

Issue briefing  |  12-min read
December 7, 2021

In today’s labour market, organizations need to offer more than just competitive salaries to recruit, attract, and retain employees. Beyond salary, benefits are the second-most important factor when employees consider different job offers. That is, health benefits have more weight than they used to and most employees believe it is a worker’s right.

Issue briefing  |  16-min read
November 16, 2021

Cancer care is typically provided across different health care settings (e.g., primary care, community-based care, hospital care) and by health care professionals from multiple disciplines. This requires a high level of coordination and integration.

Impact paper  |  19-min read
June 1, 2021

Unpaid, informal caregivers, who are typically family members, friends and neighbours, play a vital role in helping people with dementia reside safely at home and in their communities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the financial, physical, emotional, and mental health impacts on these unsung heroes are going largely unnoticed with potentially huge consequences for Canada’s healthcare system.

Op-Ed  |  4-min read
April 7, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented pressure on health systems globally. While world leaders focus on containing the spread of the virus, health experts are warning that another health crisis is looming: an impending tsunami of health problems resulting from deferred surgeries, cancer treatments, and screening and diagnostic procedures. The time for systemic change is now, but the window of opportunity is narrowing.

Issue briefing  |  15-min read
March 31, 2021

Over half a million Canadians live with dementia. This number is expected to nearly double by 2033. Dementia refers to a group of symptoms associated with a progressive decline in cognitive function characterized by memory loss, difficulties with thinking, behavior, language, and ability to perform everyday activities. Unpaid, informal caregivers, typically family, friends, and neighbours play a vital role in the lives of people with dementia while helping them reside safely at home and in their communities.

Commentary  |  4-min read
March 31, 2021

COVID-19 continues to challenge Canadians, both personally and professionally. At a personal level, it has disrupted social connections and recreational routines. Those with children are juggling work and parenting. And some are riddled with financial worries. On the professional front, challenges such as working remotely or a fear of catching COVID-19 have amplified worry and distress for many employees.

Commentary  |  3-min read
January 14, 2021

Lung cancer is the most common cancer in Canada, accounting for 13 per cent of all newly diagnosed cancers. It is also the leading cause of cancer mortality. Lung cancer survival rates are among the lowest, compared to breast cancer and prostate cancer. In 2020 alone, an estimated 28,900 Canadians will have been diagnosed with lung cancer, and 21,200 Canadians will have died from it.

Impact paper  |  25-min read
January 14, 2021

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide, with almost 18 million reported deaths in 2016. This series of issue briefings models the financial and health burdens of cardiovascular disease in several countries.

Online experience  |  3-min read
January 12, 2021

The Conference Board of Canada is examining colorectal cancer care (CRC) pathways in Ontario and Quebec to understand how to align provincial guidelines, existing pathways for patient care, and a value-based model of healthcare for these patients. Patient care pathways are multidisciplinary stepped-care plans founded on evidence-based clinical guidelines and expert consensus.

Commentary  |  4-min read
December 16, 2020

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada. In 2020, it will be responsible for an estimated 83,000 deaths. The burden of cancer falls on: patients and their families, health care systems, and society.

Online experience  |  8-min read
December 15, 2020