Public Health in Atlantic Canada: A Discussion Paper

Lisa Jensen
Dr. Stephen Kisely
March 2005

Prepared for
Public Health Agency of Canada
Atlantic Regional Office

PDF Format (455 KB)

The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Également disponible en français.

Contents may not be reproduced for commercial purposes, but any other reproduction, with acknowledgments, is encouraged. Please credit the source as follows:
Public Health in Atlantic Canada: A Discussion Paper. 2005. Produced by Lisa Jensen and Dr. Stephen Kisely for the Public Health Agency of Canada, Atlantic Regional Office.

For more information, contact:
Public Health Agency of Canada
Atlantic Regional Office
1525-1505 Barrington Street
Halifax, NS, B3J 3Y6
Tel: (902) 426-2700
Fax: (902) 426-9689
E-mail: atlantic-atlantique@phac-aspc.gc.ca
Website: atlantic.phac.gc.ca

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This document is the result of collaboration and partnerships between the Atlantic Health Promotion Research Centre, the Atlantic Network for Injury Prevention, Dalhousie University, Memorial University of Newfoundland, the Nova Scotia Office of Health Promotion, the Department of Health, the Government of Nova Scotia, and the University of Prince Edward Island.

Many individuals and organizations assisted the research team in the preparation of this discussion paper.

For ongoing advice, support, and collaboration, our great thanks and appreciation to the steering committee:

• Malcolm Shookner, Atlantic Health Promotion Research Centre
• Dr. Don Langille, Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University
• Heather Christian, Nova Scotia Office of Health Promotion
• Dr. James Bellamy, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island
• Dr. Roy West, Division of Community Health, Memorial University of Newfoundland
• Sally Lockhart, Atlantic Network for Injury Prevention
• Dr. J. Richard Gould, Medical Officer of Health, District Health Authorities 1, 2, and 3, Nova Scotia

Thanks and appreciation for the helpful advice and suggestions of the project advisory committee members of institutions throughout the Atlantic provinces, who reviewed early drafts of this discussion paper and provided information, knowledge of sources, and other support:

• Dr. Susan Kirkland, Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University
• Dr. Judy Guernsey, Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University
• Dr. Christiane Poulin, Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University
• Dr. Swarna Weerasinghe, Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University
• Dr. Gordon Flowerdew, Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University
• Dr. Ian Dohoo, Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island
• Dr. Renee Lyons, Atlantic Health Promotion Research Centre
• Dr. Stephen Bornstein, Centre for Applied Health Research, Memorial University of Newfoundland
• Dr. David Zitner, Primary Care and the Health Informatics Collaboration, Dalhousie University

On behalf of the steering committee, thanks also to the Public Health Agency of Canada, Atlantic Region, Public Health Partnerships Working Group, who played a key role in the initiation and development of this project.

• Colleen Goggin, Public Health Agency of Canada
• Susan LeBlanc, Public Health Agency of Canada
• Robin MacArthur, Public Health Agency of Canada
• Fiona Chin-Yee, Public Health Agency of Canada
• Wayne McGill, Public Health Agency of Canada

Thanks also to the Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation for its in-kind support.

Thanks to Charmaine Lee, who conducted the interviews with Francophone and Acadian organizations and groups and provided translation expertise.

Thanks also to Tamara Kyte for research and logistical and proofreading support.

Above all, our great thanks to the many individuals from all over the Atlantic region who agreed to participate in interviews and offer their thoughts, recommendations, and comments during the preparation of this discussion paper. The work would not have been possible without their generous and patient contributions of both time and expertise. The dedication, commitment, resiliency, and passion of those working in public health is truly inspirational.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

The Public Health Agency of Canada

PUBLIC HEALTH IN ATLANTIC CANADA

The role of the provincial governments

The role of the federal government

The role of non-profit organizations

The role of academic institutions and researchers

SOME DEFINITIONS

What is public health?

What is a population health approach?

DISCUSSION PAPER FRAMEWORK

Desired outcomes

Background activities

Methods

Data collection

Participation

Limitations

WHAT DID PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY?

Challenges and barriers in public health practice

Priority public health issues

General overarching themes

Recommendations from stakeholders to the PHAC Atlantic

CONCLUSIONS

NEXT STEPS

ENDNOTES