Grant: Catalyst Grant: Health Equity

Disparities in health between socially advantaged groups and those that are more disadvantaged are a global public health concern. These disparities, or 'health inequities,' reflect unequal opportunities to be healthy. In 2008, the World Health Organization called on all nations to reduce health inequities within a generation. Although many of the interventions and policies to reduce health inequities will originate outside the health care system, its crucial role in tackling health inequities is widely recognized. In particular, the Public Health sector--with its mandate to promote population health and its foundational values of social justice and equity--is ideally placed to play a leadership role in promoting health equity. Currently, there are only isolated examples of Canadian Public Health organizations that are health equity 'champions.' If the World Health Organization's goal is to be met, it is imperative to focus on improving the capacity of Public Health organizations to promote health equity. This proposal represents the first step in the development of a comprehensive research program for building capacity of Public Health organizations to take action on health inequities. The objectives of the proposed study are: (i) to develop a multi-disciplinary team of researchers committed to building Public Health capacity for promoting health equity in Canada; (ii) to develop an understanding of how Public Health organizational capacity for promoting health equity is conceptualized by current Public Health 'champions' of health equity; (iii) to develop a conceptual framework of Public Health system capacity to promote health equity that can guide future capacity-building research; and (iv) to develop a research agenda for future capacity-building research. Strengthening the capacity of Canadian Public Health organizations and systems to promote health equity will contribute to a more socially just society, where all Canadians enjoy positive health outcomes