Alberta announces more money for women’s health research, baby screening program
Posted May 3, 2024 12:15 pm.
Last Updated May 4, 2024 7:11 am.
The province is committing $26 million to address long-standing gaps in understanding and addressing women’s health concerns and expand a program that screens babies for metabolic disorders, the premier and health minister announced Friday.
“Healthy families are the foundation of healthy communities. Investing in women’s health and newborn screening means better outcomes and more peace of mind,” Premier Danielle Smith said. “We’re giving experts the tools to tackle more health issues sooner, and that is important for families and for our health care system now and into the future.”
Ten million dollars over two years will go towards creating the Alberta Women’s Health Foundation Legacy Grant, which the province says will support research on cervical cancer, heart disease, and other common women’s health conditions.
At the same time, the Calgary Health Foundation will get matching funds of $10 million to fund cancer research, along with initiatives like the development of a rapid access clinic and pelvic health floor projects in Calgary.
Newborn Screening Program expansion
According to the province, a small number of Alberta babies are born each year with metabolic disorders that can lead to severe health issues or even death.
It explains early detection and treatment of the disorders is important for healthy development and can significantly reduce the number of related infant deaths and illnesses in the province.
The current Alberta Newborn Screening Program screens for 22 conditions, the province says, and ensures all screened babies who may have treatable conditions get clinical assessment, diagnostic testing and early treatment, if necessary.
The province is increasing funding to the program by $6 million which will allow it to screen for four more conditions, bringing the total to 26.
The four new conditions are: congenital cytomegalovirus, argininosuccinic aciduria, guanidinoacetate methyltransferase deficiency and mucopolysaccharidosis type 1.
