Table 1 General description of health departments and the regions they serve

Population

1,200,000

2,700,000

760,000

Area

1254 km²

630 km²

2590 km²

General notes on population served

Large, diverse immigrant population

Large, diverse immigrant population

Mid-size, mix urban/rural area served

Large municipality in Canada

Large municipality in Canada

High rate of annual population growth

Large urban centre

Total Workforce

620

1750

741

Organizational Structure (Divisions / Directorates)

Office of the Medical Officer of Health

Communicable Disease Control

Emergency Medical Services

Chronic Disease and Injury

Environmental Health

Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention

Prevention

Oral Health

Healthy Communities

Public Health Nursing and Nutrition

Environmental Health

Healthy Families

Infant and Child Development Services ^a

Family Health

Healthy Public Policy

Communicable Disease Control

Performance and Standards

Administration ^a

Healthy Environments ^a

Strategic Support ^a

Dental and Oral Health ^a

Finance and Administration ^a

Office Location(s)

One central office; three satellite offices

One head office; 14 additional office locations (and 19 clinics, 1 warehouse)

One central office

Strategic Plan / Infrastructure Priorities

Developing the workforce

Deliver services that meet the health needs of a diverse communities

Explore new media to deliver health messages.

Making evidence-informed decisions

Measuring performance

Understand, promote and advocate for the social determinants of health.

Enhancing external / internal communications

Champion healthy public policy

Plan for and respond to urgent public health threats and emergencies

Understand and improve outreach to priority populations through improved service accessibility and effective social marketing.

Serving an ethno-culturally diverse community

Lead innovation in urban public health practice

(Strategic Plan, 2009–2019)

Advance research and knowledge exchange through interdivisional collaboration and innovation.

Be a healthy workplace that embraces excellence and promotes collaboration and mutual respect

(Quality Enhancement Plan, 2008–2010)

(Strategic Plan, 2010–2014)