Exploring Chronic Disease Management and Surveillance: A Comparison of B.C. and N.B. Approaches

Across Canada, chronic diseases present a formidable health challenge. Viviane, my classmate, and I conducted a comparative analysis of chronic disease surveillance, management, and funding between two provinces spanning the breadth of the nation, from British Columbia (B.C.) on the West Coast to New Brunswick (N.B.) on the far East Coast. We identified hypertension, mood/anxiety disorders, and osteoarthritis being among the most prevalent conditions as per the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System (CCDSS) (NBHC, 2022, Government of Canada, n.d.).

In Canada, provinces like N.B. and B.C. have implemented various programs to address the rising burden of chronic illnesses. We captured some initiatives in N.B. and BC below.

Chronic Disease Landscape in N.B. and B.C.: In 2022, the New Brunswick Health Council identified 67% of New Brunswickers living with a chronic disease condition (NBHC, 2022). Hypertension emerges as the leading chronic condition in both N.B. and BC, with N.B. experiencing the highest prevalence nationwide at 26.73% (Government of Canada, n.d.). Additionally, mood/anxiety disorders and osteoarthritis are prevalent in both provinces. N.B. has invested in programs like Healthy Families, Healthy Babies, and the COPD Program to aid in disease surveillance and management (HHN, n.d., Government of NB, 2023). Similarly, BC offers a range of initiatives, including the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program and Bounce Back: Reclaim Your Health, to support individuals with chronic conditions (Provincial Health Services Authority n.d., Government of British Columbia, n.d.).

Programs Supporting Chronic Disease Management: In N.B., the government has funded programs like Smoking/Vaping Cessation, the Saint John Stroke Program, and the Onco Survivorship Program to address specific chronic diseases. Notably, the province has funded a $2.1 million investment to upgrade the New Brunswick Insulin Pump Program (NBIPP) and initiated a $3.4 million dollar investment funding into Cancer Lung screening program to enhance cancer care (Government of New Brunswick, 2023). The Government has also collaborated with both of the provinces Regional Health Authorities to add eight Oncology Nurse Navigators in the health system over the span of two years (Government of New Brunswick, 2023). The Oncology Nurse Navigators (ONNs) provide patients with guidance, education, and resources to help them make informed decisions in the pre-diagnostic and post-treatment phases. ONNs help in the survivorship phase too. I thought cancer initiatives would be  good to mention since the CCDI Steering Committee examined the 4 major chronic diseases as CVD, Cancer, diabetes and Chronic Respirator Diseases (CRD), (Blanchard, 2018). On the other hand, BC provides resources such as the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program and Bounce Back to empower individuals in managing their health effectively (Government of British Columbia, n.d). The Network iCON (interCultural Online Health Network) provides chronic disease management information to B.C.’s multicultural population under The University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine’s in person and online through public forums and eHealth (University of British Columbia, n.d.).

Government Initiatives and Funding: Both provinces have introduced funding incentives to support healthcare providers in chronic disease management. N.B. offers physician incentives for diabetes and COPD management (Government of New Brunswick, 2023), whereas BC provides funding through the Family Practice Services Committee for extended chronic care beyond regular office visits (Family Practice Services Committee (FPSC). (n.d.). Furthermore, N.B. has launched pilot projects like pharmacist-led chronic disease management to improve access to primary healthcare, addressing the issue of limited primary care availability in the province (Government of New Brunswick, 2023).

Disease Surveillance and Prevention Efforts: N.B. emphasizes preventive measures through smoking cessation programs and initiatives promoting healthy eating and physical activity. Collaborations with organizations like Amira Health (in B.C.) and the Ottawa Heart Institute highlight the province's commitment to combatting tobacco use (Government of New Brunswick, 2023, Horizon Health Network, n.d). Additionally, efforts to establish an Oncology Survivorship program in partnership with Hospital Foundations and Wellspring, demonstrate N.B.'s dedication to holistic cancer care (Wellspring, n.d.). In BC, programs like the Public Health Nutrition Framework for Action and COPD early detection programs underscore the province's proactive approach to disease management and prevention.

In conclusion, the management of chronic diseases remains a pressing issue in N.B. and BC, prompting both provinces to implement comprehensive strategies and initiatives. While each region faces unique challenges, the commitment to disease surveillance, management programs, and preventive efforts reflects a collective goal to improve the health and well-being of residents. By leveraging innovative approaches and fostering partnerships, N.B. and BC are poised to make significant strides in chronic disease care.

References:

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Family Practice Services Committee (FPSC). (n.d.). Fees. https://fpscbc.ca/what-we-do/incentives/fees

Government of Canada. (n.d.). Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System (CCDSS). https://health-infobase.canada.ca/ccdss/data-tool/

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(2023). Chronic Disease Prevention and Management (CDPM) Standards (2nd ed., pp. 53-54). Horizon Health Network. Horizon Health Network (n.d.). Nutrition. Retrieved February 28, 2024, from https://horizonnb.ca/services/public-health/nutrition/

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