How can the health of Canadians be promoted across different age groups? What is the level of quality of Canada’s health care system? On the international level, how do our health care costs compare with those of other countries? In February 1997, the National Forum on Health presented its recommendations to the federal government on ways to improve the health system and the health of Canadians. To support its work, the Forum commissioned over forty research papers. These papers were written by the most eminent specialists and are brought together in the series Canada health Action: Building on the Legacy.