The Prevention System Quality Index (PSQI) series details Ontario’s progress on policies and programs that can reduce the incidence of chronic disease risk factors and exposures in the population. The 2023 PSQI is the sixth report in this series and the first to expand beyond cancer to include other chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and chronic lower respiratory diseases.
Despite being largely preventable, chronic diseases are the leading cause of death in Ontario. Chronic disease prevention is the cornerstone of good health; it focuses on helping people be healthy, thriving community members. With Ontarians living longer than ever before and still feeling the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare system is experiencing significant pressures and fiscal challenges. Chronic disease prevention has never been more critical to improving the quality of life of Ontarians and building a sustainable healthcare system.