Alberta Medical Association

Public Health: A Vital System for Alberta’s Well Being

Public health protects and promotes the health of entire communities—urban, rural, cultural and social. It works quietly in the background to keep Alberta safe, strong and thriving.

From disease prevention and emergency response to clean water, safe food and health education, public health supports everything from agriculture to tourism to industry.

It’s a specialized system, more than “health of the public,” with its own tools and expertise. Public health helps drive a healthy economy—and a strong economy helps people stay healthy.

At its core, public health is about preparedness, fairness and community—making sure every Albertan has what they need to live a healthy, productive life.

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Constraining public health can be extremely expensive.

In 2010, infectious diseases cost Canada $85 million in hospital bills alone.
If Alberta faced a mild pandemic, the economy could shrink by 0.6%—a loss of $2.1 billion in one year.
Much of this damage happens when public health messages are slow or unclear, causing confusion and panic.

Public health is everywhere

Strong public health keeps our communities healthy and our economy running. It helps prevent problems before they happen and gives people and businesses the information they need to plan ahead.

When public health is working well, Alberta stays open for business. But when it’s weak or underfunded, the effects are felt everywhere:

Health care and Seniors Care: People stay in hospitals longer and outbreaks take longer to respond to.
Food and Beverage: There can be product recalls, business closures and bans on exports.
Education and Childcare: More students and staff are absent, schools may close and the workforce is strained.
Tourism and Hospitality: Travel advisories can be issued and Alberta’s reputation may suffer.
Manufacturing and Industry: Facilities may shut down and companies could face legal risks.
Agriculture and Farming: Livestock disease outbreaks can lead to major export losses.
Transport and Public Services: Transit systems and delivery services may be disrupted.
Personal Care and Wellness: Consumer confidence drops and businesses may temporarily close.
Environment and Waste Management: Water contamination and pollution can lead to serious health risks.
Emergency and Social Services: Crisis response becomes fragmented and service costs increase.

The good news

Public health is a smart investment. For every $1 spent, Alberta could save between $4 and $14 through fewer hospital visits, better productivity and stronger communities.

Four key priorities to protect lives and the economy:

Appoint Expert Leadership
- Alberta needs a Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) with deep experience to lead complex health responses and support industries.Ensure
Autonomy with Accountability - The CMOH must be protected from political interference. Decisions should be based on science, not politics.Enhance Transparency -
Regular public health reports help people understand what’s happening and give businesses the foresight to plan ahead.Align Health and Economic Planning -
The CMOH should work directly with Alberta’s Chief Economist to make sure health and business decisions support each other.

Final Thought

Public health isn’t just about avoiding illness—it’s about protecting Alberta’s future. If we don’t invest in it, we risk lives, jobs and billions of dollars. If we do, we build a stronger, safer and more successful province.

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Help Build a better health care system.