Ontario’s chief Medical Officer says we’re not living very healthy

Ontario’s chief medical health officer is giving residents a failing grade for how we’re taking care of our health.

Dr Arlene King released her annual report to the legislature today. She says Ontario is facing an explosion of chronic diseases, and that the focus should shift from paying for health care and hospitals to improving health through lifestyle.

She says there are still too many smokers in Ontario, and not enough people are following other critical guidelines for health.

“We are drinking too much alcohol and the amount of alcohol has gone up over the last eight years. And i’m talking about the amount of alcohol that is needed for cancer and chronic diseases, to increase the risk of chronic disease.”

“Physical activity levels are lower than they were about eight or nine years ago, ten years ago. And our consumption of fruit and vegetables which is a very, very good indicator of our diet in general has gone down.”

But King says Ontario is doing very well in another significant area: she says the rate of fatal traffic accidents in this province is now the lowest in North America.

Video: Evening News coverage: