WHO conference on Social Determinants of Health - Canada goverment's absence an embarassment

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Canada is a big country with lots happening, I welcome readers sharing current affairs that are related to public health, or ideas for topics.   Please leave comments or email to drphealth@gmail.com  

This week  the world will gather in Rio de Janerio for a WHO conference on Social Determinants of Health with a proposed global declaration.  Some 118 Member states, with 60 Ministers of Health  will be attending.  Guess who is boycotting – the Harper government.  Canadians have been instrumental in setting the agenda for the determinants, yet the current political ideology just isn’t sufficiently aligned with the past record and world reknown to even participate.   Look back at the previous blogs http://drphealth.blogspot.com/2011/09/determinants-of-health-original-versus.html  that identify the Canadian contributions.

If you are interested in expressing your displeasure at Canada’s absence, sign the petition at http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/tell-canada-to-show-up-for-health.html  .

If you are interested in watching the conference activities, including links to live webcasts http://www.who.int/sdhconference/en/ 

Drphealth blog is turning 2000.    It took roughly 90 days and 48 blogs for the first 1000 visits.   This week the blog will flip its second 1000 in only 28 days and 13 further blogs.   Help build the success and be sure to share the blog link with colleagues.  Thanks to readers across the country.