Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration

Western University

Public Health

Articles 1 - 9 of 9

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

The Development And Implementation Of The Off-Premise Outlet Density Expansion Initiative Within Ontario's New Beer Framework: A Case Study, Stephanie A. Simpson Oct 2016

The Development And Implementation Of The Off-Premise Outlet Density Expansion Initiative Within Ontario's New Beer Framework: A Case Study, Stephanie A. Simpson

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Background: In April 2015, the Ontario government announced the expansion of beer sales in up to 450 grocery stores, thereby substantially increasing access to alcohol. This policy was introduced despite a robust body of research demonstrating a positive relationship between increased outlet density, alcohol consumption, and consequent harm. Methods: This qualitative case study explored the role of health information, and the contexts and factors which shaped its use, in the development and implementation of Ontario’s policy to expand alcohol outlet density. Kingdon’s Streams Model (2011) guided a directed content analysis of policy-related documents (n=69) and transcripts from semi-structured interviews with …


Identification Of Factors For Successful Implementation Of The Incident Management System In Ontario Health Unit Emergency Management Programs, Dimitra Kasimos Jul 2016

Identification Of Factors For Successful Implementation Of The Incident Management System In Ontario Health Unit Emergency Management Programs, Dimitra Kasimos

MPA Major Research Papers

In 2008, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care released the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Protocol, which mandated local health units to develop emergency response plans consistent with the Incident Management System (IMS). The main purpose for implementing IMS was to provide a standardized approach to local and provincial government emergency response by providing a common framework. This paper identifies some of the factors present in health units that consistently implement IMS during incident and emergency response. A questionnaire was developed to collect data from 34 of the 35 health units in Ontario. The findings reveal that health units have …


Public Health Funding: Results Of A Quantitative Analysis Exploring The Influence Of Local Public Health Unit Characteristics On The Provision Of Provincial And Local Funding, Sandy Stevens Jul 2015

Public Health Funding: Results Of A Quantitative Analysis Exploring The Influence Of Local Public Health Unit Characteristics On The Provision Of Provincial And Local Funding, Sandy Stevens

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper attempts to identify what local public health unit (PHU) characteristics, if any, may be contributing factors to the variations in provincial and local per capita funding levels between PHUs. Financial data was collected on the size of the grant provided to each health unit by the Province of Ontario and the total expenditures spent by each PHU. This data was analyzed in relation to four health unit characteristics: the governance model of the board of health; the population density of the area overseen by each health unit; the economic health of the local communities; and the workload experienced …


Perceptions About Equity In Public Health: A Comparison Between Frontline Staff And Informing Policy In Ontario, Katherine E. Rizzi Sep 2014

Perceptions About Equity In Public Health: A Comparison Between Frontline Staff And Informing Policy In Ontario, Katherine E. Rizzi

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Background: Recent changes in Ontario public health policy call for increased emphasis on equity. However, it is not clear how equity is understood as a concept and how equity is understood as practice. Methods: The aim of this study was to understand public health frontline staff (FLS) perspectives on health equity and how these align with provincial public health policy documents. A qualitative content analysis design was used to examine transcripts from six focus group interviews with frontline public health workers and seven key provincial public health documents that have shaped or influenced public health program planning in Ontario. Perceptions …


Food Safety Program Performance In Ontario, Matthew Ruf Mar 2014

Food Safety Program Performance In Ontario, Matthew Ruf

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the characteristics of health units in Ontario that determine a high level of performance with their food safety programs. Data was collected using a survey that was sent to all public health jurisdictions that provide food safety programs in the province. The intent of the survey was to collect information regarding a health department’s food safety program and the health department factors that may impact the program’s performance. The findings reveal that a health unit’s inspection score is significantly related to its environment and is influenced by the following variables: specialized versus generalized program delivery; an urban …


Attitudes Toward Public Health Funding: Results Of A Survey That Explored Differences In Support By Ontario Municipal Elected Officials For Local Public Health Programs, Elaine Reddick Jul 2007

Attitudes Toward Public Health Funding: Results Of A Survey That Explored Differences In Support By Ontario Municipal Elected Officials For Local Public Health Programs, Elaine Reddick

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the reluctance of municipal officials towards public health funding in Ontario based on a survey that aimed to determine if there was a difference in attitudes towards the municipal funding of public health by type of program. The findings reveal that while the respondents exhibited strong overall support for government funding of both types of programs, municipal politicians in Ontario showed a significant preference for committing municipal funds to protection-type programs than for promotion-type programs.


A Public Policy Analysis: The Effect Of Issue Framing And The Policy Network On Environmental Tobacco Smoke Bylaw Development In Peel Region, Deborah Keen Jul 2006

A Public Policy Analysis: The Effect Of Issue Framing And The Policy Network On Environmental Tobacco Smoke Bylaw Development In Peel Region, Deborah Keen

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the decision-making process used by local officials in the Region of Peel in the development of the environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) bylaw based on an analysis of literature, public documents, and media accounts. The findings reveal that the factors consistent with a weak policy outcome were evident in the decision-making process, including the poor networking skills of external proponents, a strong network of opponents, the primary use of an economic frame, and a council that was receptive to economic arguments.


Health Systems Restructuring In Ontario: Public Participation And Regionalization – The Un-Traveled Road, Sarah Padfield Aug 2003

Health Systems Restructuring In Ontario: Public Participation And Regionalization – The Un-Traveled Road, Sarah Padfield

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines whether the healthcare system in Ontario can integrate the principles of public participation and citizen engagement with the regionalization of health authorities based on an extensive literature review, case studies, and personal interviews. The findings reveal that the goals of public participation and citizen engagement can be reconciled with the goals of cost containment and efficiency by instituting regional health authorities.


Employee Assistance Programs: Suitable Tools For Ontario Boards Of Health, Michael Bragg Aug 1993

Employee Assistance Programs: Suitable Tools For Ontario Boards Of Health, Michael Bragg

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the prevalence of employee assistance programs (EAPs) in Ontario based on a survey of 38 public health units in the province. The findings reveal that only 42 percent of the respondent agencies provide assistance to their employees due to a number of issues associated with the development of these programs, but public health units tend to have a higher level of EAPs in place than the general workforce.