I can’t tell you how many times I have been asked this question. 

Let’s consider the facts.  Ask Canadians where their tax dollars should be spent and the majority will answer: health care.  Many are not aware of the link between early childhood development and adult health or the savings we could be realizing for our health system when tax dollars support our youngest children.

Dr. Fraser Mustard a renowned Canadian neurosurgeon reports that research on early development has concluded, “the risks for many of the chronic diseases of adult life are set in early childhood.” 

These include coronary heart disease, diabetes, mental health conditions such as depression, obesity, blood pressure and memory loss.

Children and families that have access to nutritious food, pregnancy, post partum and parent support programs will be healthier, which will reduce their risks of future health problems and thereby reduce our future health costs.

Let’s face it.  Our current health care system is not sustainable.  Our population is aging.  People are living longer.  New and more costly technologies are being introduced every day.  All while our birth rate declines.  Our future tax base cannot sustain the level of access to health care that we have had in the past. 

So prevention must become the key.  Health prevention programs that start at conception and support children and their parents throughout the early years and into the school system will move us towards a viable health system.

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