National Collaborating Centres for Public Health Summer Institute 2012
The NCCPH are federally funded institutes found in six Canadian cities. They work to make current research available and accessible to public health practitioners and policy makers. Their recent summer institute specifically explored
- the role of experience in public health evidence and decision making;
- strategies, activities and examples of including experience in public health evidence and decision making;
- and opportunities for information sharing.
The opening address was by Dr. Kwame McKenzie, senior scientist within the Social Equity and Health Research section of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Dr. McKenzie spoke about working to achieve greater racial equality in the United Kingdom. They took what Dr. McKenzie called a Rubik’s cube approach – working from different angles to achieve the desired outcome. It required patience because it was slow process, needing deliberate action from a team of committed individuals who were able to persevere.
Dr. Jeff Reading gave the second day’s keynote address on the core competencies in public health, policy and practice – an opportunity for advancing health equity and building on experience. He noted that social exclusion was a key issue that leads to marginalization and health inequalities, and that we need to develop a culture that is based on respect, trust, inclusion, and reciprocity.
The final keynote address was by Dr. Diego Garcia currently working as the Public Health Coordinator for the Assembly of First Nations in Ottawa. Dr. Garcia understands of the issues and challenges involved in health service delivery to remote and indigenous populations. The presentation summarized the findings from a Pan-American Health Organization conference on Indigenous Health Human Resources Issues focusing on Interculturality. He highlighted approaches that have been taken by some of the American countries to improved health equity of Indigenous Peoples.