Essentials of Population Health in Canada PDF

Chapter 6 Essentials of Population Health in Canada 1  Learning Outcomes (1 of 2) 6.1 Explain the concept of population health. 6.2 Summarize the events leading to the use of a population health approach in Canada. 6.3 Describe the effects of the...

Chapter 6 Essentials of Population Health in Canada 1  Learning Outcomes (1 of 2) 6.1 Explain the concept of population health. 6.2 Summarize the events leading to the use of a population health approach in Canada. 6.3 Describe the effects of the determinants of health on a population. 6.4 Explain the eight key elements in Public Health Agency of Canada’s population health framework. 2  Learning Objectives (2 of 2) 6.5 Discuss the principles of population health promotion. 6.6 Summarize the current status of the population health approach in Canada. 3  Population Health  A population health approach aims to improve the health status of the population, rather than that of the individual.  Population health incorporates physical, biological, social and economic concepts and integrates public health initiatives such as health promotion and disease prevention. 4  Health Approaches (1 of 2) Population Health Public Health  Gathers data about the  Uses health information health of a population to prevent disease and  Analyzes the information promote health in groups gathered of people or the entire country  Applies strategies to improve health rather than analyzing and researching strategies 5  Health Approaches (2 of 2) Public Health Population Health  Makes  Carries recommendations to out recommendations improve the health of derived from population a population or health studies prevent disease 6  Introduction of Population Health to Canada (1 of 2)  The following reports and events were instrumental in the introduction of population health to Canada: The Lalonde Report, Introduced concept of population 1974 health Declaration of Alma-Ata, WHO organized 1978 Concept of health as a fundamental human right Ottawa Charter for Collaborative approach to Health Promotion, 1986 addressing-health-related problems Examined community-level strategies 7  Introduction of Population Health to Canada (2 of 2) The Epp Report, 1986 Reduce inequities for disadvantaged groups, better manage chronic diseases, and prevent disease Financial support from all levels of government Toward a Healthy Future: First to incorporate determinants of The First Report on health the Health of Canadians, Emphasized collaboration among 1996 all levels of government, industry and private sector National Forum on Health, Included public input 1994 – 1997 Need for analysis and concrete evidence to support initiatives 8  Health Canada Determinants of Health (1 of 4)  Income and Social Status  Lower socioeconomic status (SES; or a lower position on the SES gradient) is associated with poorer health and an early death, while a higher socioeconomic status is associated with better health.  Employment and Working Conditions  Unemployment is considered one of the biggest stressors that a person or family can face. People who are precariously employed, underemployed, or unemployed and who work in low-satisfaction or high-stress jobs tend to have poorer health.  Education and Literacy  Higher education is associated with income, standard of living, social status and other determinants of health. A higher level of education widens people’s knowledge base and ability to think logically and problem solve health issues. 9  Health Canada Determinants of Health (2 of 4)  Childhood Experiences  The experiences a child has throughout their formative years has a significant and lasting impact on their cognitive, emotional, and physical development and general health.  Physical Environment  The physical environment consists of natural and manufactured environments. Both of these environments affect health status.  Social Support and Coping Skills  The social environment is constructed by how people behave; their relationships; their sex or gender; their culture and ethnicity; their education and work; the conditions and communities in which they live; and how they feel about themselves. 10  Health Canada Determinants of Health (3 of 4)  Healthy Behaviours  Unhealthy behaviours, such as cigarette smoking, poor diet, and lack of exercise, affect health and life expectancy.  Access to Health Services  Greater availability of primary care services and of health promotion and disease prevention programs can lead to a healthier population.  Biology and Genetic Endowment  Inherited attributes can make a person vulnerable to developing specific diseases and conditions. 11  Health Canada Determinants of Health (4 of 4)  Gender, Sex and Sexuality  Biological or social identify may affect physical or mental health and access to services.  Culture  Culture can be described as a way of life (e.g., behaviours, values, attitudes, and geographic and political factors) that is attributed to a group of people. Culture can affect health, particularly in terms of health beliefs, health behaviours, and lifestyle choices.  Race or Racism  The fundamental right to equal treatment is outlined in the Canadian Human Rights Act. Racism can affect health and access to health services. 12  The Population Health Approach  The Public Health Agency of Canada takes the lead role in implementing a population health approach.  Other important partners include:  The Canadian Institute of Health Information (CIHI)  The Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR)  Statistics Canada 13  Key Elements (1 of 3)  Focus on the health of populations  A mix of selected health indicators are used as measurements, from morbidity, mortality, and hospitalization rates to aggregate indicators, which combine health information for comparative purposes.  Address the determinants of health and their interactions  Measuring and analyzing the determinants and how they are interrelated is complicated. One determinant rarely stands alone as a causative factor for a health problem.  Use evidence-informed decision-making  Selecting issues, choosing interventions, deciding to implement and continue these interventions—are supported by decisions based on the best evidence currently available 14  Key Elements (2 of 3)  Increase upstream investments  The process of making decisions that will benefit the health of a population group or community before a problem occurs.  Apply multiple strategies  A multifaceted approach should be taken to introduce interventions to achieve the health goal for a population.  Collaborate actions, sectors, and levels  Involves developing partnerships between different segments of society—private citizens, community groups, industry, health and educational agencies, and various levels of government—to improve health. 15  Key Elements (3 of 3)  Engage the public  Public involvement increases the likelihood that citizens will embrace a plan in a meaningful way. Engaging the public requires the establishment of trust and an open process of decision-making and implementation.  Demonstrate accountability for health outcomes  Demonstrate the ability to determine if any changes in health outcomes can actually be attributed to specific policies or programs. 16 Population Health Promotion Model (1 of 2)  Views population health and health promotion as integrated.  The model organizes population health into three areas: 1. What – looking to the health determinants to measure the health of populations 2. How– creating and implementing prioritized strategies to improve health 3. Who - engaging multiple stakeholders to participate in health improvement strategies 17  Population Health Promotion Model (2 of 2)  Decisions about health promotion policies are made using three sources of evidence: 1. Research studies on health issues 2. Knowledge gained through experience 3. Evaluation of current programs to anticipate strategies needed in the future (upstream investments in health promotion) 18  Population Health in Canada  Information gathered by various organizations at the federal level is available to all provinces and territories across Canada.  Each jurisdiction may use the information differently, tailoring it to the specific needs of its provincial or territorial population. 19