August 28, 2024 | Ottawa, Ontario | Public Health Agency of Canada
In recent years, Canada has faced complex public health challenges that have highlighted the need to improve prevention, preparedness and resilience in our health and social services systems.
Today, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced an investment of more than $3.2 million through the Intersectoral Action Fund (the Fund) to support 16 additional projects in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. These projects aim to improve health conditions and the systems and structures that shape them, helping people in Canada achieve optimal health.
Launched in 2021, the Fund aims to build community capacity by advancing intersectoral action on the social determinants of health, such as income, social status, racism and healthy child development. Since its launch and with today’s announcement, the Fund has funded 43 projects across Canada. From addressing the intersecting impacts of poverty and racism in Saskatchewan through a project led by the Saskatoon Poverty Reduction Partnership (through the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre) to supporting healthy child development in Atlantic Canada by promoting a mental health in all policies approach (through the Atlantic Canada Summer Institute on Safe and Healthy Communities), the Fund supports community-led projects led by changemakers across the country.
Engaging communities to address the social determinants of health is part of the government’s commitment to promote health equity in Canada. It means helping to give everyone the same opportunities to be healthy, regardless of their origins or place of residence. Working with community members, stakeholders and decision-makers helps build a strong foundation to improve the well-being of communities and prepare them to meet the health challenges of today and tomorrow.
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