Public health agency of canada

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Public Health Agency of Canada

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) (/ˈpʌblɪk ˈhɛlθ ˈeɪdʒənsi əv ˈkænədə/), is a federal agency of the Government of Canada that is responsible for public health, emergency preparedness and response, and infectious and chronic disease control and prevention.

Etymology

The term "Public Health Agency of Canada" is a direct translation of its French counterpart, Agence de la santé publique du Canada. The term "public health" refers to the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals. The term "agency" refers to a business or organization established to provide a particular service, typically one that involves organizing transactions between two other parties.

History

The Public Health Agency of Canada was established in 2004 under the Public Health Agency of Canada Act following the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003. The agency reports to the Minister of Health and has the mandate to prevent disease and injuries, promote good physical and mental health, and provide information to support informed decision making. It also works to reduce health disparities among population groups and to ensure Canadians are prepared for public health emergencies.

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