Public Health

Public Health - Office of the Provincial Health Officer

Public Health - Provincial Health Officer

Under the Health Act, the Provincial Health Officer is the senior medical health officer for British Columbia and provides independent advice to the Minister of Health, the ministry and the public on public health issues and population health. Each year, the Provincial Health Officer must report publicly, through the Minister of Health to the legislature, on the health of the population.

Health Reports

• Annual Reports
  Reports on the overall health of British Columbians and on specific topics such as women's health, child health and immunization.
• Special Reports
  Reports on specific health topics that may interest British Columbians or require changes in legislation, in accordance with the Health Act
• Framework for Health Goals and a Healthy Population in BC.
  BC's health goals, established in 1998, set out a vision for a healthy population and a framework for action for improving the health of British Columbians.
  
  The Provincial Health Officer plays a key role in promoting and reporting on progress toward achieving the health goals. This includes a report on policy and practice(PDF 215K ) - and the use of health goals by BC government ministries.

Office of the Provincial Health Officer

The Provincial Health Officer is the the senior medical health officer for British Columbia.

The Office of the Provincial Health Officer responsibilities are outlined in the Health Act and include:

• Providing independent advice on health issues to the Minister and Ministry of Health;
• Reporting to British Columbians on the health of the population and other health issues;
• Recommending actions to improve health and wellness;
• Reporting on progress towards achieving BC's health goals;
• Working with the B.C. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and BC's medical health officers to fulfill their legislated mandates on disease control and health protection.

The Deputy Provincial Health Officer supports the work of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO), acting in place of the PHO when required and participating in a wide range of committees at both the provincial and national level.

The Provincial Drinking Water Officer oversees the preparation of annual and special reports from the Provincial Health Office respecting activities under the Drinking Water Protection Act.