Pan-Canadian Health Data Strategy

Did you know that Canada is working on a health data strategy? The overview published on the Government of Canada (GOC) website states:

The pan-Canadian Health Data Strategy (the Strategy) initiative aims to support the effective creation, exchange, and use of critical health data for the benefit of Canadians and the health and public health systems they rely on. The Strategy will support Canada's response to COVID-19 by addressing immediate health data challenges presented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Longer-term, it will focus on establishing a common foundation for improving Canada's ability to collect, protect and use health data so that it may inform health care and public health system adaptation, improve processes for data sharing, and help Canada prevent and respond to future health threats. A collaborative approach to develop and deliver the strategy is being taken by governments and health data partners. Supporting this approach, an Expert Advisory Group (EAG) was established in fall 2020 to provide advice and guidance as the work evolves.

If this is something that interests you, I would highly recommend taking a look at the materials on the GOC website I linked above. It sounds like their plan is to engage with targeted groups over the spring and summer, and more broadly with Canadians in the fall.

Stay tuned for updates!