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Frontline Health: Beyond Health Care

CPHA has a long and recognized history of work on the social determinants of health. We are proud of this legacy and our hope is to create a discussion around the social determinants of health both within the public health community as well as with the public, as a means of moving the social determinants of health agenda forward with political leaders and decision-makers in other sectors.

As defined by the World Health Organization, the social determinants of health (SDH) are “the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age, including the health system. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources at global, national and local levels, which are themselves influenced by policy choices. The social determinants of health are mostly responsible for health inequities – the unfair and avoidable differences in health status seen within and between countries.”

Much attention has been focused on the social determinants of health over the past few years. Numerous health and social agencies and organizations have been advocating for a social determinants of health approach to address health and health equity in Canada.

Frontline Health: Beyond Health Care will explore what public health and other sectors are doing with respect to addressing the social determinants of health and health equity in Canada and how these experiences can be used to inform public policy and public health practice as a means of achieving “health for all”.

Health status is an important indicator of national prosperity. One of the goals of Frontline Health is to influence a policy discussion about what constitutes an SDH and health equity approach to health, and the practical means of achieving “health for all” through such an approach. The second goal of the initiative is to mobilize appropriate and effective multi-sectoral actions to address the social determinants of health and health equity in Canada.

To accomplish these goals, we will implement the following activities:
 

  • CPHA will undertake a comprehensive analysis of relevant research and practice in the area of SDH as a backdrop to developing a policy framework for a whole-of-government approach to address the issue of health inequities in Canada.
     
  • In the lead-up to the renewal of the “health accord” in 2014, CPHA will develop an economic analysis of the benefits of a broad-based SDH approach to make the case for a robust public health component within the new federal/provincial/territorial agreement.
     
  • Through CPHA’s Public Health KnowledgeCentre™, CPHA will act as a clearinghouse and dissemination centre for communicating local, regional, provincial/territorial and federal responses to health equity through the SDH by creating a repository of studies, documents, reports and related resources.
     
  • CPHA’s Public Health KnowledgeCentre will provide an ideal platform for frontline health practitioners to share their successes and their challenges through interactive exchanges, building a body of knowledge around what works effectively in our response to health inequities.
     
  • Engaging the Canadian public will be an essential step in any meaningful change in our response to the SDH and health inequities in Canada. CPHA will undertake activities to educate the public and the media about the importance of the social determinants of health by organizing information sessions and issuing media releases and position papers in response to emerging health equity developments.

Founded in 1910, CPHA is the independent voice for public health in Canada with links to the international community. As the only Canadian non-governmental organization focused exclusively on public health, CPHA is uniquely positioned to advise decision-makers about public health system reform and to guide initiatives to help safeguard the personal and community health of Canadians and people around the world. With a diverse membership representing more than 25 professions, a track record of successful advocacy and promotion of evidence-based best practices, a collaborative approach and national reach, CPHA is Canada’s Public Health Leader.

The Frontline Health Program, originally created as a corporate citizenship initiative by AstraZeneca Canada in 2005, developed resources and best practice stories about innovative approaches to delivering health care to vulnerable populations across Canada. CPHA, through Frontline Health: Beyond Health Care, will take this concept to the next level. CPHA is grateful to AstraZeneca Canada for its financial support for this initiative.