2011 Alpha Resolutions
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2 Carlton Street, Suite 1306 Toronto ON M5B 1J3 Tel: (416) 595-0006 Fax: (416) 595-0030 E-mail: [email protected] Providing leadership in public health management Honourable Deb Matthews August 17, 2011 Minister of Health and Long-Term Care 10th Floor, Hepburn Block 80 Grosvenor Street Toronto, Ontario M7A 2C4 Dear Minister Matthews: Re. 2011 alPHa Resolutions On behalf of member Medical Officers of Health, Boards of Health and Affiliate organizations of the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) I am writing to introduce six alPHa Resolutions that were passed at our June 2011 Annual General Meeting for anticipated response and action by your Ministry. Resolution A11-4 - Promoting Public Health in Ontario The term “public health”, as it pertains to health protection, disease prevention and management, and health promotion, is not well understood by members of the public, potential partners, and policy-makers. It is nonetheless a key contributor to keeping Ontarians healthy, and we believe that a higher public profile can only strengthen the effectiveness of its contributions. We are therefore asking the Province to fund a single, centralized provincial public relations campaign to increase the profile of the public health system and what it does to address public health issues for Ontario residents. Resolution A11-5 - Reducing Barriers to the Provision of Public Health Services to Ontario First Nations In 2002, alPHa called for the establishment of an “Aboriginal Public Health system in and for Ontario First Nation citizens” that would “guarantee equitable and quality delivery of all aspects of the Health Promotion and Protection Act and to Ontario’s First Nation people (alPHa Resolution A02-10, also attached). Since that time, some First Nations have signed agreements with local public health agencies for the organization and delivery of public health programs and services as provided for under Section 50 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act. alPHa believes that these services should be available to all people who live in Ontario, and that they are of particular benefit to vulnerable populations. We are therefore asking that the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and Health Canada establish a mechanism for First Nations who currently have, or are interested in pursuing, a Section 50 agreement, to cover the costs associated with the municipal portion of public health funding without compromising their existing public health programming. We are also asking for a renewed commitment to a long- term strategy to help improve socio-economic benefits to First Nations. Page 1 of 3 Honourable Deb Matthews Page 2 of 3 August 17, 2011 Resolution A11-6 - Inclusion of Health Care Worker Influenza Immunization Rates in Acute Care Facilities as an Indicator of Patient Safety In 2005, alPHa called on the Government to make influenza immunization mandatory for health care workers (HCW), based on the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommendation that influenza immunization programs target those “capable of transmitting influenza to individuals at high risk of complications and those who provide essential community services (including) healthcare and other care providers in facilities and community settings” (alPHa Resolution A05-2, also attached). Despite the fact that NACI, the Ontario Hospital Association, the Ontario Medical Association, and many other health care organizations consider influenza vaccination of HCWs as an essential component of the standard of care for the protection of their patients, immunization rates in hospitals remain low. Until the Government acts to mandate these vaccinations, we are therefore calling for the inclusion of healthcare worker influenza immunization rates in hospitals as a publicly reported Patient Safety Indicator. Resolution A11-7 - Eligibility into Perpetuity for HPV, HBV and Tdap Vaccines The Government of Ontario has strongly demonstrated its understanding of the fact that immunization is one of the most effective public health strategies available by providing public funding for a range of new vaccines during its two mandates. We do however note that age or school-grade limitations on eligibility for vaccines against HPV, HBV and Tetanus, Diphtheria and Acellular Pertussis (TDaP) are limitations to their effectiveness in population immunity, as a significant proportion of children that should benefit from these vaccines do not receive them. We are therefore urging the Province to expand the eligibility for publicly funded HPV, HBV and TDaP vaccination for the entire age ranges and eligibility criteria recommended by NACI. Resolution A11-8 - Public Health Supporting Early Learning and Care alPHa strongly believes that supporting families and healthy early childhood development is a core part of the mandate of public health, as high quality investments in early childhood yield significant societal returns, not the least of which is improvement of health outcomes through addressing their determinants. We have made our support for the approaches and recommendations outlined in Dr. Charles Pascal’s report, “With our Best Future in Mind” very clear since its release, and we are committed to playing an important role in realizing them. alPHa will therefore continue its advocacy to strengthen public health programs that support families and healthy early childhood development, beginning with a call on each of Ontario’s political parties to pledge a strong commitment to early learning and care during the 2011 provincial election campaign. Honourable Deb Matthews Page 3 of 3 August 17, 2011 Resolution A11-9 - Removal of “No Access of Dental Benefits” Eligibility Criterion for the Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) Program Good oral health is essential to maintaining overall health, and significant investments have been made by the Ontario Government in recent years based on acknowledgement of this fact. Dental decay remains the most prevalent chronic disease to affect children, which without treatment can affect a child’s speech development, ability to thrive and readiness to learn, in addition to the longer term health impacts related to poor nutrition and infection. We are pleased that the new Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) program provides coverage for basic dental treatment and preventive care for eligible low-income children, but we believe that the eligibility criteria will exclude many children who are most at-risk. We are therefore calling on your Ministry to remove the “no access to dental benefits” eligibility criterion from the HSO program in order to provide services to currently ineligible children and increase program funding accordingly. We look forward to working with the Government of Ontario to resolve these issues, which will contribute to the improvement of health and wellbeing for all Ontarians. Sincerely, ORIGINAL SIGNED Linda Stewart, Executive Director Copy: Dr. Arlene King, Chief Medical Officer of Health Nina Arron, Director - Public Health Policy and Programs Branch Hon. Margarett Best, Minister of Health Promotion and Sport (#A11-4) Hon. Dalton McGuinty (#A11-4) Hon. Chris Bentley, Minster of Aboriginal Affairs (#A11-5) Hon. Laurel Broten, Minister of Children and Youth Services (#A11-4, #A11-8) Encl. alPHa RESOLUTION A11-4 TITLE: Promoting Public Health in Ontario SPONSOR: Peterborough County-City Health Unit WHEREAS the term “public health” is not always well understood by members of the public, potential partners, and policy-makers; and WHEREAS on a daily basis, Ontario’s public health sector contributes to keeping Ontarians healthy and safe through health protection, disease prevention and management, and health promotion activities; and WHEREAS a strong public health sector is vital to a healthy and safe Ontario and yet the public tends not to think about public health except in times of crisis; and WHEREAS public relations campaigns provide measurable benefits to audiences and health units through increased knowledge and confidence in the public health system, improved access to services, enhanced health literacy and stronger relationships with priority populations; and WHEREAS Ontario’s public health system consists of governmental, non-governmental, and community organizations operating at the local, provincial and federal levels, yet the primary responsibility for program delivery lies with 36 Boards of Health which have limited resources and access to province-wide communication providers; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that alPHa request all three funding Ministries (Health and Long- Term Care, Health Promotion and Sport, and Children and Youth Services) to fund a single, centralized provincial public relations campaign to increase the profile of the public health system and public health issues among Ontario residents. ACTION FROM CONFERENCE: Resolution CARRIED AS AMENDED alPHa RESOLUTION A11-5 TITLE: Reducing Barriers to the Provision of Public Health Services to Ontario First Nations SPONSOR: Peterborough County-City Health Unit WHEREAS a 2002 alPHa resolution called for the establishment of an “Aboriginal Public Health system in and for Ontario First Nation citizens” that would “guarantee equitable and quality delivery of all aspects of the Health Promotion and Protection Act and its Regulations to all First Nation citizens of Ontario while maintaining fiduciary responsibility of the Federal government in accordance with the Canadian Constitution (British North America Act) and Treaty rights of First Nations Citizens”; and WHEREAS