Health and wellness are becoming increasingly important issues to Canadians. This trend is also influencing Niagara’s economy and is driven by a number of factors.
The largest age group in Niagara is the 70+ category, followed by the 50-54 and 45-49 categories. This demographic is creating demand for “value-added” health services provided by small and medium-sized enterprises, which have carved out a niche sector within the healthcare industry.
Businesses large and small provide a diverse range of services that supplement and complement the public health care system. Professionals within the service realm of private health care include chiropractors, massage therapy, dentists, physical rehabilitation counselors, nutritionists, and other specialists.
The region is home to a number of laboratory testing services that help physicians and other healthcare professionals diagnose, treat, monitor and prevent disease in patients
As Niagara’s population ages, disease prevention has also made its way onto the radar of many residents and has become a key facet of overall health care.
A number of clinics employ professionally trained practitioners who offer health care through preventative medicine, drugless therapies and health promotion. Many offer chiropractic, acupuncture, and massage services as well as naturopathic medicine, nutrition, and a host of others.
Niagara’s post-secondary educational institutions are receiving assistance from federal and provincial governments to invest in their infrastructure and programs to meet the growing needs of the people served by this sector. Niagara College has broken ground on a $40 million, 10,000 sq. ft. Applied Health Institute at its Welland campus that will be completed in February 2011 and provide more than 1,000 new student spaces. The facility will house the registered practical nurse and personal support worker programs, as well as create new spaces in the recreation therapy, paramedics, pharmacy technician, pharmacy assistant, dental assisting and dental hygiene programs.
New programs to be launched and housed in the institute include occupational therapist assistant, physiotherapist assistant, gerontology, addictions counseling, mental health worker, children’s mental health worker and elder care advocate. Continuing education opportunities such as maternal and child nursing, and oncology/nephrology nursing will also be available.
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Valerie Kuhns Vice President, Market and Sector Development
Phone: (905) 685 -1308 ext. 3257 Fax: (905) 688 - 5907 vkuhns@nigaracanada.com
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