July 2025 Advocacy Update
Supporting Bracing Access for Atlantic Youth
At the IWK Health Centre, bracing is a critical part of scoliosis management, prescribed to maintain spinal alignment and delay or prevent the need for surgery.
Custom orthotic scoliosis braces are an essential medical device, costing over $4,000 per child, per year.
While some third-party insurance plans may cover a portion of the cost, many families are uninsured, underinsured, or face significant delays in coverage approvals.
Families are often forced to fundraise independently, rely on community support, or forgo bracing altogether despite its medical necessity.
SFS is committed to changing this reality by developing a financial assistance program to help families afford custom braces.
Given the urgent need, SFS is actively seeking immediate funding and community donations to pilot the program without delay.
The IWK Orthopaedic Team currently supports 15 to 25 youth actively participating in bracing treatment.
Our vision is that no family should ever have to delay or decline bracing treatment due to financial hardship.
This initiative represents more than funding—it is a commitment to equitable care and a crucial step in building a health pathway that begins before surgery becomes necessary.
Reinstate a Scoliosis Screening Program into Canadian Schools
Swing For Scoliosis is actively collaborating with interprovincial and international allies, including:
Image courtesy of physio-study.com/, "Adam’s Forward Bend Test"
Canadian Scoliosis Screening Committee, (CSSC), New Digital NFP Organization.
Scoliosis Research Society, (SRS), US Counterpart
Together, we are preparing to launch a federal digital petition calling for the reinstatement of preventative scoliosis screening in Canadian schools.
Campaign launch: Fall 2025 – we’ll be calling on Canadians nationwide to sign and support this important initiative.
Canada is one of the only developed nations without a national scoliosis screening program — it’s time to change that.
Comprehensive Proposal Submitted to Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness (DHW)
Swing for Scoliosis has evolved from a grassroots awareness effort into a driving force for systemic change in pediatric spinal health across Nova Scotia.
In May 2025, we submitted a comprehensive, data-driven proposal to the Department of Health & Wellness (DHW), advocating for the reinstatement of school-based scoliosis screening across the province.
Proposal Highlights:
Cost Modeling for RN/NP-led screening teams
Projected Provincial Impact including early detection and surgical prevention metrics
Strategic Alignment with IWK Health and Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE)
Bracing Pilot Program proposed for 2026–27 to support families facing high out-of-pocket costs
DHW has confirmed the proposal is being considered for the next fiscal year. There’s hope, Swing Team!
Early detection saves spines. This proposal is our biggest step yet toward making prevention part of public healthcare.
