The weakening of public health: A threat to population health and health care system sustainability

Tinkering in the dark: Critical knowledge gaps about how to fund public health in Canada

“…3,8 We echo the concerns reported in these commentaries and in particular, we wholeheartedly agree on the need for increased PH funding. We are unsure whether a national inquiry, as suggested by Guyon et al 3 is warranted (particularly given the lack of meaningful outcomes so far from the current National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls). 9 However, if a review is undertaken, we advocate that critical questions regarding how PH is funded be at the forefront.…”

“…4(para.4),5(p.36) The Canadian Institute for Health Information reports that PH funding has increased, 6(p.119) and PH leaders report it is decreasing. 3,4 Both may be true. No one knows.…”

“…2 As noted elsewhere, we even lack reliable estimates of how much Canada spends on PH at each level in different jurisdictions. 3 Published estimates range from 1.5% to 5.6% of total health spending in different jurisdictions. 4(para.4),5(p.36) The Canadian Institute for Health Information reports that PH funding has increased, 6(p.119) and PH leaders report it is decreasing.…”

“…3,4 We suggest that there is also a solid, growing evidence base on what PH interventions should be funded. The most critical evidence gaps, in our opinion, relate to how PH system financing in Canada should occur.…”

Lettre à la rédaction - Éloge funèbre du mouvement canadien des hôpitaux promoteurs de la santé

“…Peu d'hôpitaux canadiens ont été « réorientés » de manière significative vers la promotion de la santé. Le réseau des HPS de l'Ontario a été aboli et celui du Québec évolue dans la même direction 6 -quant aux autres provinces ou territoires, aucun réseau d'HPS n'y a jamais vu le jour. Il est difficile de trouver un hôpital canadien qui se conforme aux cinq normes du Réseau international des HPS ou au Cadre pour la promotion de la santé dans les établissements de santé de Santé Canada 11 .…”