September 20, 2005
For Immediate Release

Public Health Agency Of Canada Launches Valuable Public Health Tool

OTTAWA - The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of State (Public Health), today officially launched the Public Health Map Generator, a new online mapping tool for Canadian public health professionals.

Speaking at the Canadian Public Health Association 96th Annual Conference in Ottawa, Minister Bennett said: "This will give public health professionals a powerful tool to help them track public health issues and visually synthesize large quantities of information. It will help health professionals increase their capacity for evidence-based decision-making and health planning."

The Public Health Map Generator is a web-based mapping tool designed specifically for public health professionals to enable them to quickly and easily visualize their local health data on a map. For example, the map could be used to compare asthma rates across regions to help health professionals improve intervention and future prevention strategies. It will be provided to public health professionals at no cost to them.

The Public Health Map Generator was developed by the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Program of the Public Health Agency. Public health professionals interested in obtaining more information should contact: health_surveillance@phac-aspc.gc.ca.

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Media Inquiries:

Julian Beltrame
Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 266-3452

Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991