In response to growing evidence of health inequities affecting British Columbians, particularly in the area of chronic disease, the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) initiated the Reducing Health Inequities: A Health System Approach to Chronic Disease Preventionproject. The project’s final discussion paper and recommendations are now available.
The report’s recommendations were developed through extensive consultation with key provincial stakeholders including health authorities, government and community organizations. Project work was guided by an advisory group and focused on three populations: immigrants, refugees, and individuals who are transitioning in and out of the corrections system.
The report’s five key recommendations are:
- Develop health equity targets and plans in consultation with communities and community members, and actively monitor and measure their impact on health inequities
- Improve health literacy
- Increase equitable access to prevention and curative services for underserved populations
- Develop inter-sectoral collaborative and knowledge exchange mechanisms to inform existing programs and the development of new health promotion, primary prevention, and self-management support programs that are culturally competent
- Increase the capacity of the health system to better serve the needs of BC’s culturally and linguistically diverse population.
For more information about the project and to read the full report Towards Reducing Health Inequities: A Health System Approach to Chronic Disease Prevention – A Discussion Paper, please visit the Provincial Health Services Authority website at www.phsa.ca.