Moving Forward on a Pan-Canadian Health Data Strategy
COVID-19 has highlighted issues that make it a challenge to collect, share, and use health data for the benefit of Canadians. 'Health data' includes public health, health system and population health data.
Reliable, timely and relevant public health data are crucial to help public health officials provide their best advice in public health emergencies. Good health data also leads to improvements in health outcomes for Canadians in the longer term. Health data is collected and shared now, but there are important gaps.
The Pan-Canadian Health Data Strategy will focus on strengthening the health data foundations. Governments could implement it in stages according to health sector priorities and focus on:
modernizing health data collection, sharing and interoperability
streamlining and updating the approach to privacy and access for the digital age
clarifying accountability, sovereignty, and health data governance to bring meaningful change in the way governments share health data.
To create the Pan-Canadian Health Data Strategy, the Government of Canada is collaborating with provinces and territories, and reaching out to stakeholders and Indigenous groups.