News Release

1995-84
December 8, 1995

Health Minister hails progress on women's health at Commonwealth meeting

OTTAWA - Health Minister Diane Marleau today praised the progress made on women's health issues at the 11th triennial meeting of Commonwealth Ministers of Health, which concluded today in Cape Town, South Africa. Ministers adopted a three-year action plan aimed at improving women's health across the Commonwealth.

The theme of the 1995 meeting was women and health, with a particular focus on the health status of women, and the role of women in the health system.

"Whether women are faced with too much inappropriate treatment in developed countries, or lack of basic services in developing countries, the fact remains that women do not achieve optimal health status," Madame Marleau said.

The meeting's focus on women's health reflects an increasing concern in virtually all countries about the health of girls and women. The 1994 International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo and the recent Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing drew attention to the low health status of women in many countries and problems associated with the unequal status of women in society generally and in the health system.

Of particular interest to Canada was agreement among Commonwealth Health Ministers to pursue stronger measures to reduce smoking among women. Minister Marleau introduced the subject to the meeting and noted that "it is time that tobacco use was recognized as a major threat to women's health. More than 500,000 women around the world die each year from tobacco-related causes. The increasing promotion of cigarettes in developing countries means that these countries too will soon confront the same public health challenge among women that Canada already faces."

Canada will follow up on the conclusions of the Commonwealth Ministers of Health meeting by addressing similar issues as they occur in the North American environment. From March 18-20, 1996 in Ottawa, Minister Marleau will be co-hosting a major binational forum on women's health with her American counterpart Donna Shalala, the U.S. Secretary for Health and Human Services.

Minister Marleau said, "Many of the issues we discussed in Cape Town will be on the agenda of the Canada-U.S.A. Women's Health Forum next March. Our health systems need a major shake-up when it comes to women's health. The Canada-U.S.A. Forum will help us map out plans to address the health problems women face in both countries."

Information:Monette Haché
Santé Canada
(613) 957-1803