Health System Sustainability Initiative Research Briefs
Heath research briefs
In an effort to build a more sustainable future for Canada’s health system, The Centre for Health Policy led a Health System Sustainability Initiative. The goal of this initiative was to gather, produce, and disseminate evidence-informed recommendations to increase value for money in Canada’s health care systems, and to improve health system sustainability.
Health System Reform in Canada
Factors such as changing health care needs and growing public expectations are setting higher standards for health systems to be more responsive in contributing to better health outcomes. Canada has the second highest health spending as a percentage of GDP amongst OECD nations, and heath system reform is needed to change this.
Read recommendations for health system reform in Canada in this health policy brief.
Implementation and Advice Giving
The federal government frequently uses advisory bodies to develop recommendations for health system reform. However, since 1990, few of their recommendations have been implemented. Conflict between the federal government and provincial/territorial governments has been the major barrier to implementation.
Read strategies for policymakers to consider to improve the outcomes of future health system advisory bodies.
Engaging Canadians to Identify Priorities for Healthcare Reform
Canadians have identified three structural problems and three process problems with Canadian healthcare.
Defining Our North Star: Policy Strategies to Improve Health Care Value
Canada ranks poorly in health system performance compared to spending, which raises questions about the value of care Canadians derive from current investments. Reform is necessary, and effective reform will require community engagement, transparent governance and reporting, and adequate funding and infrastructure.
Read strategies to improve the value of health care in this policy brief.