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APHA News

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APHA welcomes new president and (re-) elects 10 board members --Praise for outgoing President Lindsay McLaren and two outgoing board members

APHA held its annual general meeting on May 9th at the University of Calgary, immediately after a very successful 75th anniversary event. Thank you to all members who participated, either in person or remotely.

Angeline Webb, a well-known public health advocate with the Canadian Cancer Society and a long-time APHA member, was affirmed as APHA’s new president.  Webb takes over APHA’s leadership from Lindsay McLaren, a University of Calgary professor at the O’Brien Institute, who was president from 2014 - 2018.


“I want to thank Lindsay McLaren for her tremendous leadership and dedication in supporting and improving APHA,” says Webb. “The ongoing priorities of APHA will be to continue to focus on the reinforcement and sustainability of a vibrant public health community as well as engaging our members in meaningful opportunities to contribute to a healthy Alberta.”

APHA also formally thanked two retiring board members for their invaluable service: Benjamin Kung, who served as Chair of our Governance Committee from 2014 to 2018, led the improvement of our bylaws, policies and procedures as well as board engagement and education efforts. Ben’s attention to detail and expertise in the complicated world of board governance will be greatly missed.

Kenda Swanson, our Secretary and Chair of the Student Committee, kept us diligently on track for five years. As Chair of the Student Committee, Kenda also developed educational opportunities to help public health students navigate their academic and career paths, as well as networking opportunities to engage public health professionals. Kenda’s expertise with student engagement and her diligence in making sure we fulfil our actions items will be missed.

Postdoc Position in Health Equity - Dalhousie University

This fellowship is for a post-doctoral fellow with experience and/or interests in equity analysis using large population-level health surveys. This is a joint opportunity funded from a research grant on inequalities and inequities in Indigenous health and a research grant on inequalities and inequities in health and well-being among older adults. Apply here if interested. 

Want to contribute to Albertan history?

We wish to feature individuals, living or deceased, who have made significant contributions to public health in Alberta between 1919 and 2019. For the full guidelines, please click here.

Please send nominations via email to: Mr. Rogelio Velez Mendoza, Research Associate, Dept Community Health Sciences (rogelio.velezmendoza@ucalgary.ca) by June 15, 2018.

Public Health News

The National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools’ (NCCMT) Rapid Review Guidebook

Are you looking for an effective way to synthesize current evidence on a public health topic? Conducting a rapid review might be just what you are looking for! The National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools has developed a Rapid Review Guidebook that details each step in the rapid review process, including guidance on how to structure the report and what to include in each section. Click here to download the Rapid Review Guidebook.

Statistics Canada: Profile of Official Language Communities in Canada, 2016 Census

These tables present a statistical profile of English and French communities, defined by either mother tongue or first official language spoken. Using 2016 Census data, users can draw a profile of the official language communities, by sex and age, based on selected demographic, cultural, educational, labour force and income characteristics for each province and territory.

Update on Marketing Unhealthy Food & Beverages to Children

The impact of marketing to children is a result of both exposure to unhealthy food ads through settings and media channels, and the power of the marketing techniques used. The proposed approach addresses both by considering three primary elements:settings;

  1. Settings
  2. Media channels
  3. Advertising techniques
To read more of the report, click here.Canada’s Food Guide Consultation – Phase 2

In the summer of 2017, over 6700 stakeholders and Canadians provided input to the second consultation for the revision of Canada’s Food Guide. Click here to see the results from the consultation.

Health Canada's Front-of-Package Regulatory Consultations (Feb 10, 2018)

There is a proposal underway requiring FRONT-of-Package Nutritional Symbol for foods at or within the 15% Daily Value for sodium, saturated fats & sugar intake. Read the full report here.

Help the Department of Health choose a Food label to promote healthier shopping choices. Click to do their 5-min survey.

Heart and Stroke continues to work with tobacco control partners to advocate for plain and standardized packaging of tobacco at the federal level. Plain and standardized packaging would prohibit all promotional features on all tobacco packaging, including the use of colours, images, logos, slogans and distinctive fonts or finishes. Health warnings would remain. Please click here to send a letter by email to your MP.


Patient Concerns/Complaints Resolution Provincial Framework: click here to read the this framework by the Health Quality Network of Alberta (HQNA).

Informed Decision-Making for Labour and Birth: click here to read a position paper prepared by members of the Reproductive Health Workgroup of the Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA).

Issues at a Glance

Childcare Subsidies

Alberta's recent pilot project initiative to subsidize child care has potential to improve lifelong health of Albertans - overview by Erika Roy.

Organ, tissue, and blood donation in Alberta
The need for organ, tissue, and blood donation is a concern for Albertans. Our intern Erika Roy provides an overview of the current situation.

Opioid Crisis in Alberta
The recent increase in opioid overdoses is a big concern for Albertans and policy leaders. Our intern Erika Roy provides an overview of the current situation.

Parks, wild spaces, and public health

Access to parks and wild spaces can impart numerous health benefits. Our intern Erika Roy provides an overview of the public health issue.

Upcoming Events in Alberta

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Research & Educational Resources

Health Quality Council of Alberta: Certificate Course in Patient Safety & Quality Management

Be part of an accredited academic course recognized throughout Canada. Register now as enrollment is limited.


Lessons from the History of the Alberta public Health Association

The Alberta Public Health Association is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2018. In recognition of APHA’s important history, we are pleased to present some materials from a research project titled “Public Health Advocacy: Lessons from the History of the Alberta public Health Association, funded by a grant from the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation’s Heritage Preservation Partnership Program awarded to Lindsay McLaren, Kelsey Lucyk, and Frank Stahnisch. 

This larger project started in 2015 and aimed to examine the history of APHA from its 1943 foundation to the present day. We invite you to review our Narrative History, scroll through the List of Past Presidents, and consider the impressive breadth of Historical APHA Resolutions. 

We welcome feedback (including corrections) on these materials. Please send comments to apha.comm@gmail.com.

Best Regards,

Dr. Lindsay McLaren

Membership Information

Want to become a member? APHA has a voluntary membership representing a variety of disciplines including practitioners, students, representatives of government departments and non-government organizations, and community members.

APHA Membership Benefits:

In addition to supporting Public Health advocacy in Alberta, you will have access to our quarterly newsletters, as well as:

  • Costco Membership Offer

APHA members who become new Costco members can receive a $10 Costco Cash card.

  • Broadway Across Canada Ticket Discounts

Become an APHA member and get up to 20% discount on performance tickets to shows happening in Alberta! Currently on sale in Calgary & Edmonton: Beautiful: The Carol King Musical.


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