Public Health Association of BC Public Health Association of BC

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Conference 2024: themes and early bird registration

Posted on September 6, 2024

#PHABCCon24: Early bird registration now open

The Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) is thrilled to announce the theme of our 2024 conference, “Commercial Determinants of Health: Moving from Harmful to Healthy.”

We are the first association in the world to lead a conference on the commercial determinants of health! We will be collaborating with the World Health Organization, the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health, and other notable partners to bring you an excellent, innovative and educational conference.

Register now for early bird rates. All non-members purchasing two-day registration will receive a free one-year PHABC membership.

 

Conference Details

Dates: November 21st and 22nd
Venue: Sutton Place Hotel
Address: 845 Burrard Street, Vancouver

 

 

Conference Themes

  1. Taking action on industries that affect health: marketing, risks, and essential goods
  2. Building public sector strength: considering regulatory and functional opportunities
  3. Improving business practices: creating policies for healthier markets
  4. Rethinking economic development: sustainable approaches and cultural perspectives

 

Conference Learning Objectives

  1. Develop a comprehensive understanding of commercial determinants of health (CDoH)
    • Define and explain the concept of CDoH, and identify key industries and commercial practices (e.g., tobacco, alcohol, ultra-processed foods, fossil fuels) that impact public health.
  2. Analyze public health’s role in addressing CDoH
    • Critically examine how strategies by commercial actors, including marketing, lobbying, and product development, shape health behaviors and outcomes, highlighting both positive and negative effects.
    • Examine core competencies for Public Health as they relate to CDoH
  3. Learn from successful interventions against harmful commercial practices
    • Explore case studies and stories of successful interventions that have effectively mitigated commercial risks to public health.
  4. Develop strategies for strength-based harm prevention
    • Address the identification and prevention of health harms caused by commercial activities, emphasizing the use of strengths-based language and approaches in public health interventions.
  5. Provide exemplars of commercial activities generating well-being economies

 

 

Become a Sponsor

Our conference is only possible thanks to the continued efforts of numerous volunteers and the support of various partners and sponsors.

If you are interested in sponsoring the PHABC conference, or if you would like more information about the details of our request, contact us at conference@phabc.org.

 

Volunteer at the Conference

Calling volunteers for our 2024 conference and gala dinner! Volunteers work a total of eight hours in exchange for free conference registration.

There are limited spots available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

If you’re interested in volunteering, please reach out to us at conference@phabc.org.

 

PHABC Awards

Do you know someone or an organization in the public health community whose hard work and dedication deserves recognition? Nominate them for a PHABC award!

We accept nominations year-round for outstanding individuals and organizations.

This year’s deadline for the 2023 awards is October 28th, 2023.

Any nominations submitted after the deadline will be considered for the 2024 PHABC Awards.

PHABC Awards

Nomination Form

 

PHABC’s response to BC Budget 2024

Posted on March 21, 2024

Compassion, innovation and collaboration advance public health in the province

 

Summary

  • PHABC applauds BC Budget 2024 for recognizing and acting on urgent public health matters.
  • PHABC also acknowledges the Province’s progressive new initiatives, including the anti-hate community support fund, the Intimate Images Protection Service, and the upcoming publicly funded IVF program.
  • PHABC’s recent 70th year gala recognized public health non-profits and associated organizations as vital to public health advancements. PHABC commends the budget for investing in public health.

 

Victoria, B.C., March 21, 2024 – The Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) applauds BC Budget 2024 for recognizing and acting on urgent public health matters. As a province, we are collectively experiencing the ongoing impacts of an aging workforce, increasing cost of living, mental health crisis, and hate crimes. PHABC commends the Province for providing vital investments in these areas.

“Multiple measures have been taken to address equity concerns that will lay the groundwork for well-being and safe communities,” said Shannon Turner, PHABC’s Executive Director. “The ongoing investments in climate action, sustainable job growth, mental health, addictions, and the housing crisis are just a few examples of investments in a healthy province.”

PHABC also acknowledges the Province’s progressive new initiatives, including:

  • the anti-hate community support fund, which was introduced in response to the Anti-Racism Data Act;
  • the recently launched Intimate Images Protection Service, which is a step forward towards equity concerning gender, sexuality, youth, and the ever-transforming digital landscape;
  • and the upcoming publicly funded IVF program, which recognizes the evolving family structure and barriers to access fertility options.

PHABC values and practices collaboration, innovation and compassion through all of our intersectoral work, which is further highlighted by our strong partnerships and network. Recently, we honoured several of our community partners through our annual awards, which was showcased at our 70th anniversary gala.

“Public health non-profits and associated organizations are vital to the strategic direction, implementation and ongoing efforts of public health advancements, which are reflected in the 2024 BC Budget investments,” Turner emphasized.

PHABC’s 2023 organizational award recipients include the Health Officers Council of BC, the Vancouver Coastal Health public policy team, Rethink Urban, and United Way BC. These organizations demonstrate commitment to community development, equitable practices, and public health promotion.

As a member-driven organization, PHABC fulfills our mission through advocacy, collaboration and engagement activities, education, and research throughout the spectrum of public health practice and systems including prevention, promotion, protection and policy. These collaborative efforts are proven worthwhile through the budget’s progressive public health investments.

 

Shannon Turner
Executive Director
Public Health Association of BC

 

Conference 2023: Thank You and Survey

Posted on December 4, 2023

Thank you for attending our gala and conference!

The Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) extends our heartfelt THANK YOU to all gala and conference attendees, presenters, and volunteers. Your presence and engagement further activates and enhances our collective commitment to a fair and healthy British Columbia for all.

We want to offer our utmost gratitude to the Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia; Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer of British Columbia; and André Picard, Health Columnist, The Globe and Mail. Their dedication to advancing health, well-being and equity through their leadership in public health aligns with PHABC’s mission statement. We are honoured to have featured them at our gala, 70 Years Forward.

Please note that all gala and conference photos and slideshows will be shared in the coming weeks, as PHABC’s team consolidates and prepares the assets for circulation.

Please continue to follow #PHABCCon23 on social media to re-live and appreciate conference speakers and presentations.

Public health and digital equity is just a sample of what the future offers. PHABC will continue to provide exemplary professional development opportunities to support public health growth within the province and beyond.

 

Take the Survey

Thank you again for attending our gala and conference! PHABC would greatly appreciate your feedback and insights to ensure we can continue to provide events that strengthen the public health community.

Complete the survey by December 16th to enter to win a complimentary registration to our 2024 conference.

Take the Survey Now

 

Thank You to Our Conference Sponsors!

Our conference is only possible thanks to the continued efforts of numerous volunteers and the support of various partners and sponsors. We want to specially highlight the Ministry of Health as a platinum sponsor.

PHABC’s professional development work strengthens essential knowledge and skills required of public health professionals and provides us with the opportunity to proactively respond to the educational needs of the public health workforce.

Our conference topic, Public Health and Equity in the Digital Age, aims to invigorate public health practice, education and research towards a healthy, just and sustainable digital ecology. As a sponsors for this event, we recognize our partners as champions for a digitally equitable and constructive future.

 

 

Transforming Wellbeing at Work: From the Personal to the Collective

Posted on November 29, 2023

In 2021, Bridge for Health Cooperative and the Public Health Association of BC were the recipients of a Develop Grant through Vancouver Foundation in support of our project titled At the Intersection of Service Provider Wellbeing and Equity in Healthcare and Social Services Systems Transformation.

We were funded to continue this work through a Momentum Grant with Vancouver Foundation in 2023, resulting in the development of our current pilot project titled Transforming Wellbeing at Work: From the Personal to the Collective. The pilot project continues to focus on the healthcare and social services sector and includes the development of 7 learning modules (5-thirty minute asynchronous delivery) with 7 one-hour live sessions over the course of the project (all on zoom).

We are seeking health and social service providers to participate in this pilot project with us from mid-January  – end of February, 2024 (specific dates to be announced). We have space allocated for 10 participants and can offer a $250.00 honorarium at the end of the pilot to thank you for your participation. Your input and feedback will be important to ensure we are creating a high-quality learning experience.

Criteria for participation includes:

  •  Current direct service position in healthcare/social services 
  • Commitment to engage in the entire duration of the project including all scheduled sessions.
  • Willingness to offer feedback and insights about the content and learning delivery process, through an online short survey to be sent out after each session.

If you or someone you know are interested in this opportunity, please connect with Elizabeth Bishop (Project Co-Lead) at eabishop46@gmail.com.

Thank you for your consideration!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Bishop PhD (candidate)

Paola Ardiles Gamboa PhD