Fact Sheet

The National Collaborating Centres for Public Health

In May 2004, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett (Minister of State, Public Health) announced the creation of six National Collaborating Centres for Public Health, along with the creation of the Public Health Agency of Canada. The NCCs form a key part of the Government of Canada's commitment to renew and strengthen public health in Canada.

The purpose of the Centres is to foster linkages throughout the public health system

• A key function of the NCCs will be to connect, co-operate, collaborate and communicate with all stakeholders in the public health community, including the provinces and territories, international experts, academia, non-governmental organizations, the research community and health practitioners.
• The NCCs will draw on regional, national and international expertise and complement the contributions of individuals and organizations throughout the public health system.
• By fostering collaboration among researchers, the public health community and other stakeholders, the NCCs will play a major role in contributing to the efficiency and effectiveness of Canada 's public health infrastructure.
• The sharing of new and existing knowledge will further the development of enhanced and improved programs, policies and practices that affect the health of Canadians.
• Each NCC will work cooperatively with a wide variety of stakeholders in the health care community within its area of expertise, to strengthen existing relationships and create important new linkages.

The Centres are part of the Government's pan-Canadian public health strategy

• The NCCs fulfill a key part of the mandate of the Public Health Agency of Canada, which works to promote and protect the health of all Canadians across the country.
• The Public Health Agency acts as a hub for health surveillance, threat identification and disease prevention and control programs. The Agency also works on long-term strategies to confront both infectious and chronic disease and injury prevention.
• The government's overall national strategy to strengthen the public health care system in Canada includes the creation of the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Public Health Network and the on-going consultation on the Canadian Public Health Goals, as well as the formation of the National Collaborating Centres.

Each centre will act as a national focal point in a specialized area of public health

Each of the NCCs will have a national agenda as well as a key focal area. The National Collaborating Centres will operate as a 'network of networks' working with public health professionals, all levels of government, non-government groups, academics and researchers. The NCCS will scan and synthesize the most current information and translate it for use as evidence in making decisions by policy makers, program managers or health practitioners across the public health system. The NCCs are located in different regions across Canada :

• The National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health is located in Atlantic Canada and studies the role the various determinants of health such as physical and cultural isolation, income/socio-economic status, employment, immigration status and mental illness play on health.
  Contact: Dr. Jeff Scott, Provincial Medical Officer of Health
  Ph: 902-424-8698

• The National Collaborating Centre for Public Policy and Risk Assessment in Quebec looks at the impact of public policy on the health and well-being of Canadians. It looks at health policy and the assessment, management and communications of risks to health in areas such as transportation and urbanization.
  Contact:Pierre Bergeron, Directeur Scientifique
  Numero de téléphone: 418-650-5115 ext 6000

• The National Collaborating Centre for Public Health Methodologies and Tools Development in Ontario will focus its work on knowledge synthesis and the translation of concepts, information, systems, and tools that will facilitate better use of, and access to, information and improve the decision making capacity of policy, program and professionals in the public health system.
  Contact: Dr. Donna Ciliska, Scientific Director
  Ph : 905-525-9140, ext 20450.

• The National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases located in the prairies ( Manitoba ), focuses on addressing the present and future risks of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. The NCC works to complement and build on ongoing research into emerging diseases such as SARS, West Nile Virus and BSE, and will be responsible for training the next generation of emerging infectious disease specialists.
  Contact: Terry Duguid, President
  Ph: 204 946-0908

• The National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health in British Columbia examines how changes in the environment, climate, shelter, water, food and air quality affect the health of Canadians. This NCC also looks at the role that toxins, chemical agents and workplace injuries play in human health.
  Contact: Dr. Ray Copes, Director of Environmental Health
  Ph: 604-660-1409

• The National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health is in British Columbia. will work closely with Aboriginal groups and look at various means and strategies to improve the health status of Canada 's Aboriginal citizens.
  Contact Dr. D. Max Blouw, Vice President Research
  Ph: 250-960-5820

For more information, please contact:

Barbara Medlar
Program Manager
Public Health Agency of Canada
Phone: 1-613-957-4162
Email: barbara_medlar@phac-aspc.gc.ca