August 2011 - Hot Topic

Public Health Ontario became the new operating name for Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion, this past June. The new name better positions Public Health Ontario within its provincial role of protecting and promoting the health of all Ontarians and reducing inequities in health.

The new operating name and tagline, “Partners for health,” are products of a lengthy consultative and creative process. Many stakeholders provided input to consultations on Public Health Ontario’s new visual identity.

Since 2008, Public Health Ontario has been operating under its legal name – Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion. However, from its inception, Public Health Ontario intended to rebrand and choose a name that was more memorable and more speaker-friendly. Public Health Ontario is, therefore, a distinctive, easy-to-say name that reflects the agency’s provincial role.

As a hub organization, Public Health Ontario links public health practitioners, front-line health workers and researchers to the best scientific intelligence and knowledge from around the world. The “Partners for health” tagline emphasizes Public Health Ontario’s philosophy of collaborating with others to achieve shared goals.

Public Health Ontario’s new visual identity is a dynamic representation of the organization. Professional, innovative and collaborative, Public Health Ontario’s identity represents the complete range of programs and services it provides to partners in support of our mandate: improving public health in Ontario.

While Public Health Ontario’s operating name has changed, many things remain the same. Public Health Ontario provides expert scientific and technical support relating to infection prevention and control; surveillance and epidemiology; health promotion, chronic disease and injury prevention; environmental and occupational health; emergency management; and public health laboratory services.  Public Health Ontario’s mission remains to support health care providers, the public health system and partner ministries in making informed decisions and taking informed action to improve the health and security of all Ontarians, through the transparent and timely provision of credible scientific advice and practical tools.

Some of our initiatives underway with partners include:

The Ontario Public Health Convention, with OPHA and alPHa

The second Ontario Public Health Convention (TOPHC) will be held in Spring 2012. Las year’s inaugural convention, realized through collaboration with the Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA) and the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa), was a resounding success. Nearly 600 professionals attended TOPHC 2011, a three-day signature event that focussed on training and skills development. The event also provided opportunities for collaboration, networking and the sharing of the latest scientific knowledge and best practices.

Antimicrobial Stewardship Program, with OHA

The Ontario Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) will evaluate the consequences of inappropriate antibiotic use on patient health and health care costs, including increased microbial resistance, toxicity, hospital lengths of stay, as well as increased costs to patients, hospitals and funders.  This entire project will be overseen by an ASP Core Project Team comprised of Public Health Ontario (PHO) and Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) staff.  In addition to the Core Project Team an expert advisory committee with representation from geographic areas across Ontario and professional disciplines will be developed to provide authoritative advice and direction. At the end of a three-year period, a province-wide, tailored, sustainable ASP will be in effect, based on a phased implementation plan.

Providing expert scientific advice …via our Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committees

On April 1, 2011 the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC)  transferred responsibility for the functions of the Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC) to Public Health Ontario, recognizing the alignment of PIDAC activities with Public Health Ontario’s legislated mandate.

Public Health Ontario has established a Coordinating Committee and four advisory committees (infection prevention and control, communicable diseases, surveillance and immunization) to provide expert advice, develop evidence-based knowledge products (best practice documents) and provide broad-based field advice. These advisory committees draw on the dedication of health care practitioners with expertise in infectious disease, infection prevention and control, epidemiology, public health, occupational health and safety and veterinary medicine.

PIDAC products will continue to be available and new expert guidance will be developed in partnership with Public Health Ontario’s scientific and technical capacity.

Locally driven collaborative projects

A locally driven collaborative projects stream (LCDP) was launched by Public Health Ontario in 2011. Funding will allow public health units, associations, community partners, and researchers to work together to explore a topic, intervention, or program related to an identified critical public health issue. Current topics of investigation include child and youth health, equity/access, environment, injury prevention, obesity and public health practice. The LDCP will help health units meet the Ontario Public Health Standards by facilitating participation, engagement and uptake of collaborative applied research and program evaluation activities.

For more information on Public Health Ontario and initiatives underway, please visit www.oahpp.ca, email info@oahpp.ca or call 647-260-7100.