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Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique logoLink to Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique
. 2001 Jan 1;92(1):19–23. doi: 10.1007/BF03404837

The Use of Population Health and Health Promotion Research by Health Regions in Canada

Elan C Paluck 15,✉, Deanna L Williamson 25, C Dawne Milligan 15, C James Frankish 15,✉
PMCID: PMC6979923  PMID: 11257984

Abstract

This study examined the use of population health and health promotion (PH&HP) research by health regions in Canada. An 11-item survey was faxed to 137 (of 140) health regions. Eighty-three completed questionnaires were returned (60.8%). Results indicate that while research, in general, plays more than a moderate role in the majority of participating health regions, PH&HP research is not used frequently. The most frequent uses of PH&HP research include the development of health goals and objectives, the development of programs and services, and resource allocation. Health regions most frequently obtain PH&HP research from their own staff and from government departments. University-based researchers are not a commonly used source. This study provides a descriptive overview of health regions’ engagement in evidence-based decision making related to PH&HP issues, and points to a number of strategies that both health regions and researchers can employ to enhance the use of PH&HP research by health regions.

Footnotes

This project was supported by funds from the Health Promotion and Programs Branch of Health Canada.

Contributor Information

Elan C. Paluck, Phone: 604-822-4139, FAX: 604-822-3035, Email: paluck@interchange.ubc.ca.

C. James Frankish, Phone: 604-822-9205, FAX: 604-822-9210, Email: frankish@interchange.ubc.ca.

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