Centre for Health Promotion (CHP)

The Centre for Health Promotion (CHP), uses a life stages approach and is responsible for implementing policies and programs that enhance the conditions within which healthy development takes place. Through action founded on the principles of population and public health, the Centre addresses the determinants of health and facilitates successful movement through the life stages. The Centre acts through programs addressing healthy child development, families, aging and lifestyles, public information and education, as well as issues related to rural health and support of the voluntary sector.

The Centre is composed of:

• Healthy Communities Division
• Division of Childhood and Adolescence
• Division of Aging and Seniors
• Health Surveillance and Epidemiology Division

Healthy Communities Division

The Healthy Communities Division is a centre of excellence for the issues of physical activity, mental health, family violence, rural health and injury prevention. As well, the Division is developing expertise and leadership with regards to community capacity building within the Centre. Through work with partners and stakeholders to develop policy frameworks and national action plans, the Division's objective is to improve the health of Canadians.

Activities include identification of emerging issues; development, testing and evaluation of best practices in prevention, and promotion; building community capacity; partnering and networking with a wide range of external organizations; department-wide strategic leadership and coordination to improve the health of citizens in rural and isolated areas of Canada and, dissemination of information to the public and health professionals. The Division is also the federal lead for the Family Violence Initiative, which promotes public awareness of the risk factors of family violence and the need for public systems to respond; and supports data collection, research and evaluation efforts to identify effective interventions.

Through its work on physical activity, this Division is also very involved in the Pan-Canadian Healthy Living Strategy.

• Mental Health
• National Clearinghouse on Family Violence
• Healthy Living Unit

Division of Childhood and Adolescence

The Division of Childhood and Adolescence provides leadership to the Branch and Department in the development of policy, research and programs related to childhood and adolescence. It develops and maintains partnerships and networks with a wide range of domestic and international organizations, other federal departments and provincial/territorial governments about issues pertaining to childhood and adolescence life stage.

The Division is responsible for implementing the National Children's Agenda and the Centres of Excellence for Children's Well-Being. The Division also provides national leadership on delivery and integrity of three important community-based programs for children: Community Action Program for Children (CAPC); Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP); and Aboriginal Head Start (AHS), as well the Division delivers the Strategic Projects fund which focusses on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAS/FAE).

Additionally, the Division provides a departmental coordination function on children's issues, such as children's rights (World Fit For Children), and National Child Day.

Division of Aging and Seniors

The Division of Aging and Seniors provides federal leadership and serves as the centre of expertise and focal point for information in areas pertaining to healthy aging and seniors. Activities involve policy development; research and education; encouraging means of improving the health of seniors; partnering and networking with a wide range of partners; communication and information dissemination; and providing operational support to the National Advisory Council on Aging. In executing all of its roles and responsibilities, the Division promotes the meaningful participation of seniors in federal decisions and activities that affect them.

Health Surveillance and Epidemiology Division

The Health Surveillance and Epidemiology Division is the centre of expertise for issues of surveillance and research in pregnancy, the health and well-being of infants, children and youth. The Division consists of three sections: Maternal and Infant Health Section - Perinatal Program; Child Injury - Injury Surveillance Program; and Child Maltreatment - Child Maltreatment Program. Each of these programs are carried out in partnership with other Divisions within the department, other federal departments, provincial/territorial governments, the Canadian Institute for Health Information, national health professional associations, consumer and advocacy group and university-based researchers.