Executive summary

The Canadian health system is at a crossroads. Significant health services restructuring is occurring across the country. This restructuring process provides a unique opportunity for Public Health and others to reorient the system away from illness to a focus on health--the health of individuals and communities. The purpose of this paper is to motivate and equip Public Health workers to take leadership in the restructuring, to outline key responses and strategies for Public Health associations, to raise public awareness about restructuring, and to challenge decision makers to integrate the Public Health perspective into the restructured health system. This Issue Paper describes the unique contributions Public Health has to offer health services restructuring, outlines the Public Health response to specific restructuring issues, and identifies some successful strategies for influencing change. Two key messages are explored in the paper: 1. Restructuring will be successful if it is based on an investment in health. The health of the public can be maintained and improved through changes to the institutional sector and support for health promotion, disease prevention and health protection services. 2. Public Health must be a full partner in the restructuring of health services. The Public Health perspective includes a broad understanding of the issues that are relevant to the health of individuals and communities. The skills and knowledge base offered through Public Health provide balance and equity in decision making, by ensuring full and representative involvement of community workers and the public. The uniqueness of Public Health is manifested in three distinct ways: its approach within an organized system of practice; its historical contribution; and its purposeful combination of perspectives, skills and knowledge. In partnership with communities, other health professionals and other health-determining sectors, Public Health works to protect, maintain and improve the health of Canadians. While other sectors undertake some of the functions outlined below, what makes Public Health unique is that these contributions are offered collectively through an organized system of practitioners to create a synergistic effect. Eight contributions of Public Health are identified in this paper. Specifically Public Health: Focuses on individuals and communities in a societal and global context. Builds capacity in individuals and communities to improve health. Facilitates community mobilization through community participation. Embraces promotion, prevention, protection. Influences the orientation of the health system toward health outcomes. Provides disease surveillance and control. Builds partnerships among sectors at the local level. Advocates for the health of the public. In addition to describing these contributions, the Issue Paper addresses the major trends in health services restructuring by providing an overview of the issues and outlining the Public Health response. While there is no one single model of restructuring occurring in the provinces and territories, many common themes exist. This paper highlights four categories of restructuring issues: I. Making a Difference in Health II. Skills and Knowledge Base III. Allocation of Financial Resources IV. Governance and Management.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)