Promise and peril: how health system reforms impacted public health in three Canadian provinces.

Objectives: Several Canadian provinces and territories have reformed their health systems by centralizing power, resources, and responsibilities. Our study explored motivating factors and perceived impacts of centralization reforms on public health systems and essential operations.

Methods: A multiple case study design was used to examine three Canadian provinces that have undergone, or are in the process of undergoing, health system reform.

Centralization and integration of public health systems: Perspectives of public health leaders on factors facilitating and impeding COVID-19 responses in three Canadian provinces.

The extent to which power, resources, and responsibilities for public health are centralized or decentralized within a jurisdiction and how public health functions are integrated or coordinated with health care services may shape pandemic responses. However, little is known about the impacts of centralization and integration on public health system responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. We examine how public health leaders perceive centralization and integration facilitated and impeded effective COVID-19 responses in three Canadian provinces.

Web-Based System Navigation Database to Support Equitable Access to Assistive Technology: Usability Testing Study.

Background: Assistive technology (AT) can contribute to how individuals participate and engage in everyday activities, such as communication and mobility, and facilitates access to the services they require. Navigating Canada's AT system has been described as fragmented and complex, presenting barriers for individuals who require AT, caregivers, and health service providers. AccessATCanada was developed as a centralized web-based resource to help support access to AT by providing information about the existing jurisdictional funding programs and services.

Early Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Public Health Systems and Practice in 3 Canadian Provinces From the Perspective of Public Health Leaders: A Qualitative Study.

Context: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted health systems worldwide. Studies to date have largely focused on the health care system with less attention to the impact on public health systems and practice.

Objective: To describe the early impacts of COVID-19 on public health systems and practice in 3 Canadian provinces from the perspective of public health system leaders and synthesize lessons learned.

Defining and classifying public health systems: a critical interpretive synthesis.

Background: The introduction of the determinants of health has caused a shift towards understanding health from a holistic perspective as well as increased recognition of public health's contributions to the health of the population. Several frameworks exist to conceptualise healthcare systems, highlighting the stark contrast of frameworks unique to public health systems. The objectives of this study were to define public health systems and assess differences between healthcare systems and public health systems within established health systems frameworks.