Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to announce the official launch of the 1998 national menopause awareness campaign which will take place tomorrow.
I hope all members are aware of the importance of this issue. Canadians must be better informed if they want to ensure a better life for themselves.
By the year 2000 more than four million women will enter or will have already entered this phase of their life. It is important that we educate women to the long term health risks that are associated with menopause, such as heart disease and osteoporosis.
Building awareness of these risks is key. Informed people make healthier choices which lead to improved health and quality of life, not to mention considerable savings to the health care system.
I would like to thank the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Osteoporosis Society of Canada, the Canadian Cardiovascular Society and the Canadian Pharmacists Association for their efforts in raising awareness of the effects of menopause.
I hope you all will—