Public Health Agency of Canada

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) uses the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System (CCDSS) to conduct national surveillance of 20 chronic conditions, including diagnosed dementia ("all types of dementia" when not specifically mentioned) and diagnosed ischemic heart disease (IHD)....

Zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites that spread between animals and humans. Lyme disease is a multisystemic infection which can lead to health issues such as erythema migrans rash, cardiac, neurologic or arthritic manifestations. It is caused by the...

The Infectious Disease and Climate Change Fund (IDCCF) addresses the impact of climate change on human health in Canada by: increasing capacity, enabling Canadians and communities and improving adaptability and resiliency.

COVID-19 has highlighted issues that make it a challenge to collect, share, and use health data for the benefit of Canadians. 'Health data' includes public health, health system and population health data. Reliable, timely and relevant public health data are crucial to help public health...

The Future-Oriented Statement of Operations has been prepared on the basis of government priorities and the Public Health Agency of Canada’s (the Agency) plans as described in the Departmental Plan. The information in the forecast results for fiscal year 2019-20 is based on actual results as at...

Individual surveillance systems have various public health goals and policy objectives. In recent years, the scope of, and our reliance on, surveillance systems have grown significantly in all parts of the world because of globalization and threats of multi-drug resistant bacteria, bioterrorism...

The 2019 to 2022 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) presents the Government of Canada’s sustainable development goals and targets, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act. In keeping with the purpose of this Act to provide the legal framework for developing and...

The national incidence of foodborne pathogens is actively collected and reported by the National Enteric Surveillance Program (NESP). The NESP has been in operation since April 1997 and is designed to provide timely analysis and reporting of laboratory confirmed enteric disease cases in Canada.

The Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (CIPARS) monitors trends in antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance in selected bacterial organisms from human, animal and food sources across Canada. The program is based on several representative and...

The Joint Statement on Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS), originally published in 2001, was a national collaboration to recognize and provide guidance on this important public health issue. The Joint Statement on SBS required revisions to reflect developments in knowledge, understanding and practice...

This 2020 Canadian Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (CARSS) Report provides a detailed assessment of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Canada. This report also provides recent information on the amount of antimicrobials used in humans and animals, as antimicrobial use (AMU) is one of...

Hey, are you ok? Poster to help identify alcohol overdoses. Too many alcohol overdoses aren't addressed because the difference between being really drunk and an overdose can sometimes be hard to identify.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is an External Advisory Body that provides the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) with independent, ongoing and timely medical, scientific, and public health advice in response to questions from PHAC relating to immunization. This...

Breast milk is the best food for newborn babies. The Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada and the World Health Organization recommend: breast milk only for feeding your baby from birth to 6 months and continuing to breastfeed for up to 2 years or more after introducing solid foods.

The Aboriginal Head Start in Urban and Northern Communities (AHSUNC) Program is a national community-based early intervention program funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada. AHSUNC focuses on early childhood development for First Nations, Inuit and Métis children and their families living...

People with COVID-19 do not always recognize their early symptoms. Even if you do not have symptoms now, it is possible to transmit COVID-19 before you start showing symptoms or without ever developing symptoms. You need to quarantine (self-isolate) for 14 days at home when you may have been...

Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) is known around the world for its scientific excellence. We work with public health partners in Canada and abroad to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Main functions are: research, lab-based surveillance, emergency preparedness and...

This guidance supports high quality investigations that will contribute to public health’s collective understanding of COVID-19 transmission in all types of school settings and the utility of mitigation measures implemented. A systematic approach to outbreak response, including an investigation...

This document outlines the recommended goals, objectives, and activities for COVID-19 surveillance in Canada. These guidelines are based on current available scientific evidence and expert opinion and are subject to change as new information becomes available. They should be read in conjunction...

This section provides news and information about the evolution of Canada's Health Human Resource Strategy, which aims to ensure that Canadians have access to the health providers they need both now and in the future.