About
OPHA is a not-for-profit organization that provides a strong, unified independent voice for all citizens — Public Health professionals and volunteers — committed to improving the health of all Ontarians. OPHA has a very active Board of Directors who work together to fulfil their governance responsibilities. The Board also works in partnership with other organizations to fulfill its strategic plan.
Since 1949, OPHA has served as a catalyst for development in the Public Health sector. OPHA galvanizes communities, governments and decision makers to manage current Public Health challenges and new initiatives act in a responsive and accountable manner. Through strategic partnerships with hundreds of health units, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), addiction centres, academic institutions and community health centres, OPHA has succeeded in influencing and addressing specific public health issues as well as broader elements of health policy. These include preserving the environment, promoting disease prevention, reducing health disparities and poverty reduction.
OPHA fosters and maintains strong relationships with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the Ministry of Health Promotion and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, and the newly created Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion. OPHA’s track record of program development, advocacy combined with its unique interdisciplinary approach to Public Health issues earned the organization a wealth of credibility as an active participant at the policy making table.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Ontario Public Health Association is to provide leadership on issues affecting the public's health and to strengthen the impact of people who are active in public and community health throughout Ontario.
OPHA achieves this mission by:
- Providing professional development opportunities and up-to-date information in community and public health issues;
- Providing access to local, provincial and multi-disciplinary community health networks;
- Developing mechanisms to identify and analyze Public Health issues from the variety of perspectives in its membership and in the broader community;
- Creating and maintaining advocacy initiatives with a province-wide perspective;
- Leading the development of expertise in public and community health through collaboration, consultation and partnerships.