Project 466744

Despite commitments to bolster Public Health systems after the SARS epidemic, Canadas Public Health systems were severely under-resourced and under-prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic. The consequences were a failure to contain outbreaks, leading to unnecessary illness and death, as well as inequitable impacts on populations. In light of new investments and attention, Canada now faces a window of opportunity to strengthen Public Health systems for the future. My thesis will examine policy strategies for maintaining Public Health funding over time.The first part of my thesis will involve a scoping review exploring the determinants of Public Health financing. For instance, how do political cycles, funding models, public emergencies (including pandemics), and research evidence impact levels of Public Health investment? The findings from this review will inform the second part of my thesis, which aims to investigate the policy strategies used by governments to safeguard Public Health budgets and determine why these succeed or fail. To accomplish this, I will carry out in-depth case studies of Ontario, Quebec, and the UK. These will consist of literature reviews as well as qualitative interviews with experts in Public Health financing from each region.Findings from this study will inform future policy to safeguard Public Health funding in Canada. This will enable better preparation for future public crises. Stronger Public Health systems can also carry out more impactful health prevention and promotion activities, leading to significantly healthier populations over time.