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Celebrating Public Health
The Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) marks its centenary in 2010. This voluntary, non-governmental organization was formed 100 years ago by a small group of doctors who were concerned about the state of public health in Canada. CPHA was constituted through an Act of Parliament and held its first annual conference at McGill University in December 1911, attended by the Governor General, the Prime Minister of Canada and the Premier of Quebec.
Public health concerns at that time were the control of tuberculosis, compulsory vaccination against smallpox, the need for municipal regulations around house planning and land development, the lack of training in hygiene, sanitary chemistry and bacteriology, and the establishment of municipal parks and recreation programs. The early founders of CPHA were determined to bring about change, “come hell or high water”. And indeed they did.
CPHA has developed remarkably over the past 100 years, reflecting and shaping the broader evolution of public health in Canada. There are many achievements for us to celebrate in 2010. Perhaps the greatest achievement is longevity. Did you know that the average lifespan of Canadians has increased by more than 30 years since the early 1900s and 25 of those years are attributable to advances in public health?
We can all be proud of the public health measures that contributed to this remarkable feat of 25 added years of life. So be part of this special year of celebration and exploration on the occasion of CPHA’s centenary.
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Dr. Henry Morgentaler started performing abortions in 1969 and was arrested and charged. He later received the Order of Canada.
Invited book review, Trevor Hancock, This is Public Health: A Canadian History
Canada has had its share of underground tragedies, with miners dying not only below ground but also about ground from illnesses such as silicosis.