GEOG 129 Human Geography: Resources, Development and Society - Winter 2024

Canada's publicly funded health care system is dynamic--reforms have been made over the past four decades and will continue in response to changes within medicine and throughout society. The basics, however, remain the same--universal coverage for medically necessary health care services provided on the basis of need, rather than the ability to pay.

Summary of efforts undertaken to help address the Crisis in the Canadian Healthcare System.

Primary healthcare in Canada is in crisis. One in six Canadians lack a regular family physician and less than half of Canadians are able to see a primary care provider on the same or next day. The consequences are significant in terms of the stress and anxiety foisted upon Canadians in need of care, including limited diagnoses and referrals for potentially life-threatening conditions. This article explores options for the federal government to take a more hands-on role responding to the present crisis that are constitutionally compliant: investments in virtual care; additional funding for primary care tied to a strengthened condition of reasonable access within the Canada Health Act; a federally-funded direct incentive scheme to lure back providers who have left due to burnout; and the establishment of a commission for access and quality in primary care.

The health human resources (HHR) crisis is one of the greatest challenges facing Canada’s healthcare system today. Domestically and globally, health workforces today are facing unprecedented challenges – including a dwindling supply of healthcare workers, low retention, and workplace conditions that place undue pressure on workers. These challenges have been further exacerbated by COVID-19, where high patient workloads, resource scarcity, and fear for personal safety have led to unprecedented levels of burnout, absences, and turnover.

Health at a Glance compares key indicators for population health and health system performance across OECD member countries, accession candidates and key partner countries. Analysis draws from the latest comparable official national statistics and other sources. This 2023 edition presents the latest comparable data, illustrating differences across countries and over time in terms of health status, risk factors for health, access to and quality of care, and health resources. This edition includes a
thematic chapter on digital health, which measures the digital readiness of OECD countries’ health systems, and outlines what countries need to do to accelerate the digital health transformation.

A new study from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute, in partnership with the Canadian Medical Association, finds a majority (60%) of Canadians believe the $46.2-billion injection of funds agreed to by the federal government earlier this year will improve the health care system, but that the vast majority in this group (51%) believe the gains will be at best marginal. By contrast, two-thirds of Canadians (66%) think there are structural problems within health care that surmount a lack of funding.

The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) provides comparable and actionable data and information that are used to accelerate improvements in health care, health system performance and population health across Canada. Our stakeholders use our broad range of health system databases, measurements and standards, together with our evidence-based reports and analyses, in their decision-making processes.

The Health Statistics Branch (HSB) of Statistics Canada is the country's trusted source of timely, accurate and relevant information about the health of Canadians. We provide data and insights about the health of the population, determinants of health and the scope and utilization of Canada's health care resources.

Health Reports, published by the Health Analysis Division of Statistics Canada, is a peer-reviewed journal of population health and health services research. It is designed for a broad audience that includes health professionals, researchers, policymakers, and the general public. The journal publishes articles of wide interest that contain original and timely analyses of national or provincial/territorial surveys or administrative databases. New articles are published electronically each month.

Over the last 50 years, we have seen a steady uptick in the estimated lifespans of the world's population. For example, the worldwide average lifespan of a person born in 1971 was 58, while in 2021, this number rose to 71, an increase of roughly 19 percent. There are some countries around the world where this jump has been even more pronounced.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global call to action to achieve peace and prosperity for people and the planet by 2030 and to ensure that no one is left behind. Notably, the third goal of the 17 objectives is to achieve good health and well-being for all individuals at all ages. With this goal in mind, we highlight the importance of carefully considering the changing healthcare needs of our growing population in Canada. The increase in life expectancy coupled with the increasing age of the baby-boomer generation means that our healthcare system will face new challenges in the coming years. More research is needed to fully understand the healthcare needs of this older adult population who have or will soon reach 65 years of age. Herein we comment on the impact of an aging population, provide reasons for challenges, and propose necessary solutions.