Public Health Strategy Evaluation

We measure the success of a society by many indices - its standard of living, levels of education, or per capita income. No measure, however, is as critical as the health of its people. Defining, measuring, tracking and improving public health is a key challenge - perhaps THE key challenge - for any government.

The Nunavut Public Health Strategy (PHS) is the guiding document for addressing public health issues in the Territory. The strategy established two priorities: Healthy Children and Families, and Addiction Reduction. The strategy is designed to engage communities and encourage them to identify their health priorities and initiatives. The aim of the strategy is to improve health through prevention and promotion, address the needs of vulnerable populations and to encourage leadership, capacity, and community initiated interventions.

However, the various objectives and indicators highlighted in the strategy depend on accurate monitoring and reliable baseline data in order for H&SS to adequately track departmental progress on this work.

On behalf of the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Health and Social Services (H&SS), Aarluk has partnered with Habitat Health Impact Consulting Corporation (Habitat) to prepare a Public Health Strategy Evaluation Framework and Indicators Report. This report will provide H&SS with baseline data associated with the Public Health Strategy objectives, provide an overall evaluation framework aligned with the indicators of the strategy, and provide a current updated comparative analysis on key indicators. Aarluk’s Galin Kora and Geoff Rigby are currently working with Marla Orenstein of Habitat to collect and analyze key documents and statistics in order to develop this report- stay tuned for more updates!

h/t Geoff Rigby