FREDERICTON, NB – A new report from the New Brunswick Health Council has revealed that the province’s rate of avoidable deaths remains significantly higher than the Canadian national average. According to data spanning from 2019 to 2022, an average of 202.5 deaths per 100,000 people in the province were attributed to causes that could have been prevented through timely medical intervention or better public health measures. While there has been a marginal decline in these figures compared to previous years, health officials remain concerned that New Brunswickers are dying from manageable conditions at a disproportionate rate.
The report identifies lung cancer and heart disease as the primary drivers of these avoidable fatalities. Experts point to high rates of tobacco use and elevated levels of indoor radon gas across the province as key factors contributing to the surge in respiratory illnesses. Furthermore, the province lags behind the national average in early cancer screening and diagnostic testing. This delay in identification often means that by the time a diagnosis is made, the disease has progressed to a stage where treatment is less effective, highlighting a critical gap in the provincial healthcare delivery system.
Health professionals are calling for urgent reforms to address these systemic issues, emphasizing that many of these deaths are preventable with the right policy shifts. Recommendations include implementing stricter regulations on tobacco sales and launching aggressive public awareness campaigns regarding radon testing in homes. By prioritizing early screening and preventative care, experts believe the province can significantly lower its mortality rate and protect future generations from these health threats.
