e-5076 (Health)
- Keywords
- Public health
- Vitamin D
Original language of petition: English
Petition to the House of Commons
- Studies around the world have determined that severe infections, hospitalizations and pandemic deaths were directly (inversely) related to the serum levels of vitamin D, “the sunshine vitamin”;
- Multiple studies have shown most Canadians have insufficient blood levels of vitamin D to ensure optimal health as levels plummet during long winter months;
- Those most severely impacted include the elderly, “shut ins”, and those with darker skin pigmentation, including new immigrants and Indigenous citizens;
- Beyond bone health and support of immunity against viral and bacterial infections, vitamin D is important to prevent or treat many diseases including cancers, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, multiple sclerosis, dementia, other neurological disorders, and poor oral health;
- An out-dated blood level target for bone health (50nmol/l) has been eclipsed by abundant data showing optimized health requires 125-250nmol/l;
- The impact of this low-cost intervention is estimated to result in annual reductions in healthcare costs exceeding $23 billion (~6-7% of total healthcare spending in Canada 2023, ~ $344 billion); and
- Patient-pay fees for diagnostic vitamin D blood tests are an anomaly in Canada and an unacceptable barrier to the poor.
- Open for signature
- July 29, 2024, at 2:22 p.m. (EDT)
- Closed for signature
- October 27, 2024, at 2:22 p.m. (EDT)