The COVID-19 pandemic showcased the benefits of investing in health research and innovation. Canadian researchers helped lead the global fight against COVID-19, by first profiling the body’s immune response to the virus and developing the lipid nanoparticles to deliver mRNA to the body’s cells – a breakthrough based on 40 years of research.
Canadians are proud of these achievements and consider health research to be a priority. Recent public opinion polling found that the vast majority (91%) of those polled believe health research makes an important contribution to healthcare and (81%) said it makes an important contribution to the economy.
However, the pandemic also exposed many gaps in Canada’s health research ecosystem. If Canada is to emerge stronger following the pandemic, a fundamental shift in how governments view and support health research is needed.
To this end, HealthCareCAN‘s Vice Presidents of Health Research Committee (VPRs) is working to identify key priorities for federal action to ensure this shift in view occurs and results in meaningful support.
What actions can Canada take to support the health research sector?
Why must Canada better support the health research sector?
HealthCareCAN actions to strengthen health research and innovation
Increased investments will ensure Canada’s health research sector can:
Investments in health research: How Canada compares internationally (% of GDP, as of 2019)
Sources: Tax Policy Centre, AAAS, AIHW, HM Treasury, CIHI, CIHR
Canada spends only 1.5% of its total healthcare budget on health research
Source: Research Canada. 2019. Canada Speaks! 2019 Poll.
A pan-Canadian clinical trials network ensures that:
Source: Innovative Medicines Canada Clinical trials in Canada: A pandemic snapshot
An even playing field for healthcare organizations, including research institutes in the federal research and innovation ecosystem mean that:
With the right tools to effectively communicate and share data and information, the health research sector could:
HealthCareCAN advocates for key system-level changes to substantially improve health services to children and youth.
April 12, 2022
"This budget does not effectively address what our health care system has undergone for the last two years." - HealthCareCAN president and CEO, Paul-Émile Cloutier
April 10, 2022
How HealthCareCAN is Helping to Address Critical System Challenges - A Q&A with HealthCareCAN's president & CEO, Paul-Émile Cloutier, by HIROC
April 7, 2022
Critics stress health system capacity constraints as Trudeau speaks with premiers - Interview with HealthCareCAN
January 10, 2022
The Urgent Obligation to Stabilize Canada’s Health Care System – Article in Policy Magazine by Paul-Émile Cloutier
January 7, 2022
Submission to the Standing Committee on Health: Study on the Emergency Situation Facing Canadians in Light of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Health human resources / Indigenous health / Infrastructure / Long-term care / Mental health / Research & innovation / Year 2022
Submission to the Standing Committee on Health: Study on Children’s Health
Health human resources / Infrastructure / Research & innovation / Year 2022
Submission to the Standing Committee on Science and Research: Study on the Successes, Challenges and Opportunities for Science in Canada
Infrastructure / Research & innovation / Year 2022
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