Nationwide coalition prompts government action on incontinence
June 11, 2009
A group of advocacy and support groups are awaiting action from provincial and federal health ministers, who have been called on to improve treatment for Canadian incontinence sufferers.
The national Incontinence Coalition - a group including the Canadian Continence Foundation, Canadian Obesity Network, Canadian Paraplegic Association, Canadian Prostate Cancer Network, CARP, Easter Seals Canada and Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario – are prompting officials to better recognize the condition that affects more than 3 million Canadians.
Politicians are also prompted to:
- Publicly acknowledge the condition
- Improve public education and awareness
- Improve access to treatment
- Increase emphasis on incontinence education for general practitioners
- Ensure access to trained nurses and other supportive care-givers
- Found continence care clinics
“Incontinence can impact all parts of a person’s life: their social interactions, their sex life, their ability to work, travel, play sports and participate in community life,” says Jacquline Cahill, Executive Director of the Canadian Continence Foundation. “It can be an emotionally devastating condition that causes social isolation, low self-esteem, depression and a fear of intimacy.”
The coalition says the public must acknowledge the condition and need for treatment in order to normalize and de-stigmatize life for those who live with it.
“It is important for the Government to publicly acknowledge the prevalence of incontinence and the need for treatment,” says Holly Vengroff, CARP Vice-president.
Expanded requests and recommendations are found in the consensus statement issued by the coalition and also in the coalition's press release.
All Canadians are asked to contact their Member of Parliament to voice support for the Coalition and its recommendations.
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