HESA Committee Report

1.        The Government of Canada consider using the results of the National Population Health Study on Neurological Diseases in collaboration with the provinces and territories, as the basis of a pan-Canadian strategy for neurological diseases.

2.        The Government of Canada continue to promote brain disease research and consider including multidisciplinary research that underlies the commonalities in brain diseases.

3.        CIHR consider developing more strategic initiatives related to neurological research.

4.        PHAC continue to build its autism surveillance program to eventually include all neurodevelopmental diseases affecting children as it evolves.

5.        PHAC include neurological conditions within its Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System.

6.        The Government of Canada consider establishing a Centre of Excellence for Neurodegenerative conditions through its Networks of Centres of Excellence Program.

7.        CIHR consider examining ways to streamline and reduce the administrative workload that their grant applications place  on researchers.

8.        CIHR continue to update the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health regarding the findings of its scientific expert working group regarding Multiple Sclerosis and chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency syndrome, including the results of future clinical trials.

9.        CIHR update the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health as to how their patient-oriented research strategy will address access to clinical trials in Canada, as well as whether this strategy will reflect consultations regarding patient’s views on research in Canada.

10.     The Government of Canada examine existing federal legislation, including the Privacy Act and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, to determine whether it provides sufficient protection regarding the privacy of health information, including the results of genetic testing.

11.     PHAC continue to explore programs to inform Canadians about neurological diseases.

12.     PHAC work with stakeholders, experts and provincial and territorial representatives to identify and promote best practices related to Autism Spectrum Disorders.