Ottawa, Canada — Dr James Lunney wants to see the health of Canadians improve. That is why this past February, Dr James Lunney, Member of Parliament for Nanaimo-Alberni, introduced his new Bill C-388, An Act to establish National Vitamin D Day in Canada. The bill would establish November 2nd as National Vitamin D Day recognized by municipalities throughout Canada.
Says Lunney, “A National Vitamin D Day will further public knowledge, discussion and use of a cost-effective personal health measure.”
Lunney points to a couple of studies specific to Canada that show the need for better awareness on vitamin D. A major study by Statistics Canada found 60 to 70 per cent of Canadians have less than ideal levels of vitamin D. A study published in the Annals of Epidemiology states that raising the amount of vitamin D in North Americans could prevent approximately 58,000 new cases of breast cancer and 49,000 new cases of colorectal cancer each year. This translates to saving over $14 billion per year in health care costs Canada alone.
Says Dr Hal Gunn, MD, CEO and co-founder of InspireHealth, ”The time has arrived for a nationally coordinated action to substantially increase intake of Vitamin D; we simply have to do more to engage people in this simple, safe approach to cancer prevention and treatment.”
To read more about Dr James Lunney’s efforts, visit jameslunneymp.ca.