< > W181 - Health Canada - http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca

Health Canada is the federal department responsible for helping the people of Canada maintain and improve their health.

In partnership with provincial and territorial governments, Health Canada provides national leadership to develop health policy, enforce health regulations, promote disease prevention and enhance healthy living for all Canadians. Health Canada ensures that health services are available and accessible to First Nations and Inuit communities. It also works closely with other federal departments, agencies and health stakeholders to reduce health and safety risks to Canadians. 

Through its administration of the Canada Health Act, Health Canada is committed to maintaining this country's world-renowned health insurance system which is universally available to permanent residents, comprehensive in the services it covers, accessible without income barriers, portable within the country and publicly funded. Each province and territory administers its own health care plan with respect for these five basic principles of the Canada Health Act. 

Many factors including family history, social or financial status, physical environment and personal lifestyle choices influence individual health. By making Canadians more aware of dangers to their health, protecting them from avoidable risks and encouraging them to take a more active role in their health, Health Canada fosters a healthier population and contributes to a more productive country. 

Preserving and modernizing Canada's health care system

By managing health risks and promoting healthy lifestyles, Health Canada helps reduce the incidence of illness and injury and the cost of treatment. Canadians rely on the federal government, in partnership with provinces and territories, to maintain a high-quality, affordable health care system. The federal government works collaboratively with the provinces and territories to test ways in which the Canadian health care system can be improved and ensure its sustainability for the future. Provincial and territorial governments are responsible for the delivery of Canada's health care and hospital services; the federal government shares in the cost of these services through annual Canada Health and Social Transfer (CHST) allocations.

Enhancing the health of Canadians
Health Canada recognizes that health depends on more than a good health care system.

Factors such as income, education, social support networks, the environment, and employment and working conditions determine health and well-being. The Department focuses on this wide range of personal and collective circumstances when developing strategies to promote health and prevent disease. 

Such a comprehensive population health approach emphasizes positive health activities and illness prevention measures. The results are long-term benefits for Canadians and reduced pressures on the health care system. Health Canada works with provincial and territorial governments and other interested partners to expand knowledge of factors affecting the health of the general population and specific at-risk groups such as children, seniors, women and First Nations peoples. 

Safeguarding the health of Canadians
Health Canada collaborates internationally and with its provincial and territorial counterparts to protect the health of Canadians against current and emerging health threats.

Through its Health Intelligence Network, the Department works with other levels of government and the health care system in the surveillance, prevention, control and research of disease outbreaks across Canada and around the world. It also monitors health and safety risks related to the sale and use of drugs, food, chemicals, pesticides, medical devices and certain consumer products. In addition, Health Canada negotiates agreements regarding hazardous materials in the workplace, performs medical assessments for pilots and air traffic controllers and conducts environmental health assessments.

Working with First Nations and the Inuit
Health Canada assists First Nations and Inuit peoples to attain a level of health comparable to that of other Canadians living in similar locations.

Through partnerships and extensive consultations with First Nations and Inuit peoples, the Department is working toward having Canada's Aboriginal peoples administer their own health programs and resources. 

Many First Nations and Inuit communities interested in assuming control over their own health services have negotiated transfer agreements with the Department. These agreements encompass community-based services such as communicable disease control, public health and primary nursing care, addictions counselling and treatment, health education, nutrition, environmental health, and dental advice and assistance. 

Health Canada also provides certain health-related goods and services to the Status Indian and Inuit populations and to the Innu of Labrador when the goods and services are not provided by other provincial or territorial agencies or third-party plans. These Non-Insured Health Benefits include health care services such as drugs, medical supplies and equipment, dental care, vision care and medical insurance premiums.

Health Canada at your service (Revised July 5, 2000)

The Minister of Health is responsible to Parliament for administering some 20 health-related laws and associated regulations that govern the overall programs and policies of the Department. The Minister's portfolio also includes the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Patented Medicine Prices Review Board, Hazardous Materials Information Review Commission and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency. 

The Deputy Minister and Associate Deputy Minister of Health, working with the Departmental Secretariat, support the Minister and manage departmental operations. Six Assistant Deputy Ministers located in Ottawa manage the Department's program and administrative branches. Four Regional Directors General represent departmental interests across the country through regional offices.