Why and how we use public health data
Reliable, timely and relevant health data are crucial to help the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) make decisions on how to protect and improve the health of people living in Canada.
We use public health data to:
- promote good health
- prevent and control chronic and infectious diseases
- respond to public health emergencies
- prepare for future public health emergencies
- promote health equity
Our job is to analyze and interpret the data that’s gathered. We look for patterns and signs of potential health problems in the community, and then use that information to act to prevent those problems and protect the health of people living in Canada.
For more information, please refer to:
Example: Lyme disease surveillance
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans through the bites of infected ticks.
We collect data on Lyme disease in partnership with:
- provincial and territorial public health authorities
- researchers and academics
We monitor Lyme disease to:
- keep track of the number of people infected
- identify areas where tick populations may be increasing
- identify areas where people are most at risk of getting infected
This data helps to support prevention, early diagnosis and treatment.