Increasing our investment in research on lung disease
Innovative research is critical to finding cures for respiratory illnesses and developing more effective disease management approaches. Every significant advance we make in research on lung disease brings the potential for major cost-savings to our economy. In particular, effective clinical research – applying the insights gained from primary research to the actual treatment of disease – will lead to fewer emergency room visits, less frequent and shorter hospitalizations and – as a result – lower wait times.
However, Canada needs to increase the level of health research funding that we are currently undertaking.
While Canada has some of the best researchers in the world in the area of respiratory health, we have come up short in investing in lung research, technologies and treatments that could be of benefit to Canadians. Since 1999, the federal government has invested only 3.9% of total federal research dollars into the causes and exacerbations of lung disease. By comparison, diabetes research has received 22.6% of funding, cancer 14.8%, cardiovascular 14% and HIV/AIDS 4.6%.
Increased investments in research will translate into more effective treatment and prevention of lung disease, while realizing significant cost savings to both our health care system, and the overall productivity of the Canadian economy.
The Lung Association is seeking the following commitments from all major political parties for research funding on lung health:
- A promise to increase funding for direct research on the causes, exacerbations, prevention and improved treatment of lung disease, (e.g. the impact of poor air quality and climate change on the lung health of Canadians), as well as to build research capacity by supporting trainees and clinician-researchers in pulmonary research;
- A commitment to increase funding for the Canadian Institute for Health Research to expand our knowledge base, and to facilitate the development of innovative technologies, treatments and medicines that will benefit the health and wellness of Canadians while positioning Canada as a global leader in health research.
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