Understanding the Role of Intergovernmental Relations On Public Health Policy: A Case Study of Emergency Preparedness and Response
Loading...
Authors
MacLennan, Christopher
Date
2008
Type
working paper
Language
en
Keyword
Public Health 2008
Alternative Title
Abstract
A combination of events over recent years has led to a serious reconsideration of Canada’s capacity to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies. The SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak in Toronto in spring 2003, and the heightened concern globally over a potential influenza pandemic, has called into question various aspects of the existing public health systems in both Ontario and across Canada. Issues such as inadequacies in outbreak management protocols; infection control and infectious disease surveillance; the linkages between public health systems and public medical services; the absence of protocols for data and information sharing between orders of government; and the lack of coordination across institutions and jurisdictions for outbreak management and emergency response have all been raised as areas requiring significant re‐thinking. At the same time, the threat of international terrorism since the World Trade Center attacks of 11 September 2001, and the subsequent concerns about bio‐terrorism, continues to put pressure on Canadian policymakers from all three orders of government to develop adequate and harmonious emergency response plans and capacity to deal with a host of possible crisis scenarios.
Description
© IIGR. 2008
Citation
Publisher
Queen's University Institute of Intergovernmental Relations