A huge study is underway to determine why Atlantic Canadians suffer from poorer health than people do in other parts of the country.
Jason Hicks of the Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health says early research has revealed obesity in Atlantic Canada is well above the national average and being obese is considered to be at higher risk of cancer.
According to Hicks, more than 13 thousand people in Atlantic Canada are diagnosed with cancer every year and 63 hundred die from the disease.
Stay involved in our study. #CPTP #helpsolvecancer #helpmakeadifference pic.twitter.com/mds2q7Nuvc
— Atlantic PATH (@Atlantic_PATH) May 5, 2017
More than 35 thousand blood samples have been collected thus far in Atlantic Canada and at least 300 thousand toenails. Hicks says the toenails is where heavy metals tend to concentrate.
Hicks tells us a surprising finding turned out to be people in Atlantic Canada who live in rural areas are healthier than those of us who live in urban areas.
They don’t have an explanation why.
