Public Health works with their partners and communities to:
Public Health provides support and empowers partnerships, people, communities, governments and organizations to work together to address the barriers within the social, economic and physical environments that strongly negatively influence the health of Nova Scotians. Addressing long-standing barriers, including inequities related to food security, housing, racism, discrimination, financial, and education, will improve the health and quality of life for all Nova Scotians. Over time, this will reduce the burden on all government funded systems and contribute to health system sustainability.
Together, Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) Public Health Branch and Nova Scotia Health Public Health are working to strengthen the health system by ensuring we are focused on core public health priorities in an effective, efficient and optimized way.
How Public Health will help improve health and wellness for the people of Nova Scotia
Actions to improve the health of our communities will be focused on interventions with the highest level of impact for populations who are most in need.
Building robust data systems to support population health assessments, improve surveillance capabilities and inform policy, health system planning and partnerships.
Embedding strong promotion and prevention policy, programming and strategies in communities; improving access, environments and enabling individuals to make healthier choices.
Collaborating meaningfully with health system and community-based partners to deliver targeted interventions.
Reducing barriers to oral health and immunizations services within identified populations. Expanding Nurse Family Partnership across Nova Scotia to support new families experiencing overlapping social and health challenges related to income insecurity, educational obtainment, mental health, no primary care provider, and housing insecure.
Public Health launched the Nurse Family Partnership program in Eastern Zone, supporting new parents who are experiencing overlapping social and health challenges. Since the launch in March 2024, Public Health has increased the number of referrals and support for the families. 154 prenatal referrals have been screened and contacted by an Early Years Public Health Nurse and offered appropriate support/referrals. Learn more:
In 2023-24, Public Health Dental Hygienists transitioned to deliver a targeted fluoride varnish school-based program, increasing access to preventative oral health care. The program offers applications of fluoride varnish to pre-primary and elementary-aged children in identified communities throughout the province. The program has expanded to reach 112 schools and 11,965 students have received a fluoride varnish application.
Public Health surveillance system enhancements have been identified and work is underway to plan the next population health assessment report.
A current state assessment of health promotion and primary prevention efforts is underway to inform the development of a health system Integrated Prevention Partnership Table.
COVID-19 vaccine program wrapped up May 31, 2024. Feedback sessions were conducted in the spring to gather information from providers on how to improve the COVID-19 and Influenza vaccination program to ensure access to vaccine by Nova Scotians.