20 Feb Drummond Commission’s Recommendations
Ontario Public Health Association Welcomes the Drummond Commission’s Recommendation to Focus on Prevention
February 16, 2012/ Toronto, ON: The Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA), the voice of front-line public health professionals, endorses the Drummond Commission’s position that investments should be made in programs and activities that invest in the future rather than the status quo. Specifically, we welcome Drummond’s assertion “that an ideal health system would emphasize the prevention of poor health.”
This position is fully aligned with the Association’s mandate and its commitment to improving the health of Ontarians through disease prevention, and health promotion and protection. It also reflects recommendations made by OPHA President Sue Makin, and Executive Director Siu Mee Cheng when they met with Commissioner Drummond in October 2011. OPHA identified chronic disease prevention–including childhood obesity–, the social determinants of health, and healthy ageing as significant public health concerns, all of which are reflected as key issues in Drummond’s report.
The Commission proposed a number of changes to Ontario’s health care system, including a shift toward health promotion rather than “after-the-problem treatment”. “OPHA is pleased to see that, even when applying an efficiency and effectiveness lens, the business case for disease prevention and health promotion as being critical components of a successful health system remains strong,” said Siu Mee Cheng, Executive Director, OPHA.
The Commission’s focus on the public health sector was also valued. “OPHA appreciates the Commission’s acknowledgement of the complexity surrounding the current public health sector funding arrangement in Ontario, but would advise on a thoughtful and thorough exploration into the recommendation to upload funding to the province,” said Cheng. “The goals in addressing this complexity are to ensure enhanced efficiency, health system integration and funding stability, while maintaining the sector’s strong ties to municipalities in services planning, delivery and integration.”
OPHA would strongly support the Government in advancing the recommendation to develop a 20-year action plan for the health system. OPHA believes that this plan would be critical to evolving the health system to the next level. We believe that disease prevention, and health promotion and protection must feature centrally in this action plan as a means toward slowing the rate of growth of health care spending in the future and ensuring that Ontario has one of the best health systems in the world.
About OPHA
The Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA) is a not-for-profit member-based association focused on advancing public health in Ontario. Our Association represents over ten public and community health disciplines and our membership represents many sectors in Ontario. Collectively, we represent over 2,000 public and community health professionals in the province.
Media Contact:
Logan Broeckaert, Policy and Program Coordinator
Ontario Public Health Association
T: (416) 367-3313 ext. 232