Public Health Policy

Public health policy – the backbone of public health – is the rules, regulations and practices focused on maintaining and improving the overall level and equity of health. It includes policies that improve the impact of the physical and socio-economic environment on health, that reduce the burden of chronic andinfectious diseases, and that support healthier behaviours and enable healthier lives.  It includes any policies that have an impact on health.

The study of public health policy and healthy public policy is the key to the impact and sustainability of our health care system. It is also the way to understand how major discoveries realize their potential to improve health. The removal of the Broad Street pump handle by John Snow halted a cholera epidemic and was an early and brave act of public health policy.

You will find within our division a wealth of expertise and knowledge that should inspire you. Our extensive network of collaborators across the health system and across areas of healthy public policy keeps us focused on the impact of our work.