SPH-CAP:
Overview
PHABC acknowledges with deep gratitude that we live, work, and learn on the traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples across what is now known as British Columbia. We recognize that our work goes beyond the places we live and impacts the lives of nations across British Columbia and Turtle Island.
The Public Health Association of British Columbia (PHABC) is leading the Strengthening Public Health Collaborative Action Plan (SPH-CAP) Project.
This project aims to engage population and public health partners from across British Columbia to co-develop a collaborative multi-sector action plan to advance B.C.’s Population and Public Health Framework.
The SPH-CAP Project aims to foster collaboration and coordination across partners within population and public health while reducing the duplication of efforts.
About the Framework
B.C.’s Population and Public Health Framework: Strengthening Public Health (the Framework) was released in 2024.
Developed by the Ministry of Health in consultation with health authorities, Indigenous service organizations, research institutions and community partners, the renewed provincial framework establishes a long-term vision, purpose and strategic direction for strengthening population and public health in B.C.
The Framework is guided by three foundational principles:
- Truth, Rights and Reconciliation:
- Take concrete actions to dismantle Indigenous-specific racism in the population and public health system.
- Uphold Indigenous Rights and advance Truth and Reconciliation.
- Honour Indigenous knowledge and wisdom by acknowledging the interconnectedness of human health, the health of communities and the health of lands and waters.
- Health Equity and Anti-Racism:
- Influence the social, ecological and structural determinants of health to take action on systemic racism within population and public health and work to eliminate preventable health disparities so that no one is left behind.
- System Capacity
- Strengthen the core public health functions and enabling functions that support population and public health teams to promote health and wellness, prevent disease and injury, protect health, and respond to evolving population needs, including to emerging threats.
The Framework identifies six priority areas requiring sustained and coordinated action across sectors.
To learn more, please visit the Framework webpage here.
1. Best Start in Life
Build foundations of good health by reducing unfair disadvantages for pregnant people, children and families.
2. Communicable Disease Prevention and Response
Mitigate health and societal impacts from communicable diseases and prepare for any future pandemic.
3. Health Impacts of Climate Change
Anticipate, assess, prevent and reduce the human health impacts and hazards from climate change, recognizing the interconnectedness of human health and the health of the environment.
Support climate change adaptation, resiliency and mitigation activities that protect populations.
4. Non-Communicable Disease and Injury Prevention
Prevent and reduce the impacts of non-communicable disease and injury.
5. Population Mental Health and Wellness
Improve the mental health and wellness of the population, including by cultivating connection to land, language, place and community.
6. Prevention and Reduction of Substance-Related Harms
Prevent and reduce harms of legal and illegal psychoactive substances.
Strengthening Public Health Collaborative Action Plan
As a next phase to this work, the SPH-CAP project focuses on developing action plans and a monitoring evaluation plan to advance and measure progress on the Framework.
PHABC is leading the development of a collaborative action plan to mobilize efforts within the wider population and public health sector.
Project Goals
The SPH-CAP aims to strengthen population health in B.C. through the following:
1
Building Stronger Partnerships
Strengthen connections among health authorities, community-based organizations, Indigenous organizations, research institutions, and other partners to support coordination and collaboration across sectors.
2
Aligning Population and Public Health Sector Activities with the Provincial Framework
Enhance alignment between community initiatives and the Framework to advance effective, coordinated, and inclusive responses to evolving population health needs.
3
Improving Monitoring and Evaluation
Build capacity to monitor implementation, assess progress, and support continuous learning and evidence-informed planning.
4
Supporting Community-led Initiatives
Provide resources and supports to empower community organizations to advance actions that align with the Framework.
5
Advancing Knowledge Exchange and Capacity Building
Create opportunities for training, capacity building, and the sharing of best practices, tools, and lessons learned across the network.
What to Expect
SPH-CAP will focus on collaborative action planning, action implementation, monitoring progress, and fostering knowledge mobilization.
Population and public health partners from diverse sectors, including community-based organizations, academic and research institutions, Indigenous organizations, health authorities, and other sector partners, are invited to participate.
Partners will have opportunities to participate in virtual meetings, attend capacity-building sessions, contribute to action planning, and network with other community organizations. Honoraria are available to support participation.
Some key activities include:
Establishing a population and public health sector network to facilitate ongoing engagement, collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Organizing virtual and/or in-person meetings to engage in collaborative action planning, disseminate resources, and monitor progress.
Supporting capacity building through learning opportunities, expert speakers, shared resources, and knowledge exchange to strengthen public health knowledge and practice across the network.
Facilitating the collaborative development of a provincial action plan that highlights partner-led initiatives aligned with the framework, and providing tools and resources that support action planning and coordination across the network.
Supporting ongoing evaluation and progress reporting to understand action plan implementation, capture key learnings and project outcomes, and inform future population and public health efforts.
Offering grants to support small-scale initiatives led by eligible organizations participating in the SPH-CAP network.
Contact Us
Are you interested in joining the SPH-CAP network? Click on the button below to learn more about SPH-CAP and to sign up.
If you have any questions about SPH-CAP, please fill out our contact form and a member of our team will be in touch with you shortly.
