Evidence-informed decision-making seeks to incorporate both scientific or academic knowledge, as well as the practical knowledge of public health professionals. However, the use of scientific evidence is hindered by a number of factors, particularly the lack of an easy-to-use protocol to search, appraise and synthesize academic sources in a timely manner. In this document, we provide an overview of semi-systematic literature reviews as a way to incorporate scientific evidence into EIDM, and we provide a step-by-step protocol encompassing literature search, critical appraisal, and synthesizing new knowledge. The intent of this document is to both assist public health practitioners who wish to conduct their own reviews, as well as provide insight in to the literature review process at NCCEH.
Presentations
The team at NCCEH regularly presents at environmental health events across Canada, in addition to organizing workshops and meetings on various topics. A select listing of our conference presentations and external webinars, as well as presentations from our Environmental Health Seminar Series are available here.
The BCCDC/NCCEH Environmental Health Seminar Series provides an opportunity for learning and knowledge exchange on a variety of environmental health topics. The seminars can be attended in-person or online.
Speakers:Dr. Paul Belanger, Director, Knowledge Management, KFL&A Public HealthDr. Nancy VanStone, Research Associate, Knowledge Management, KFL&A Public Health
Abstract:A key need for climate change adaptation strategies is effective public health surveillance. Geographic Information System (GIS) applications are common tools for public health purposes. GIS technology provides visual tools—through the creation of computerized maps, graphs, and tables of geographic data—that can assist with problem solving and inform decision-making. KFL&A Public Health has developed and maintains a situational awareness tool, the Public Health Information Management System (PHIMS) that enables visualization and spatial analysis of environmental data with underlying…
The BCCDC/NCCEH Environmental Health Seminar Series provides an opportunity for learning and knowledge exchange on a variety of environmental health topics. The seminars can be attended in-person or online.
Speaker: Dr. David Kaiser, Specialist Physician, Montreal Public Health
Abstract: Housing conditions are a fundamental determinant of health and one of the core targets of public health interventions in an urban context. However, surveillance data regarding housing conditions are largely absent at a local level in Canada. Since 2010, Montreal Public Health has carried out a number of studies aimed at generating data on a variety of housing-related issues - molds, bed bugs, cockroaches, upkeep & repair, essential services, affordability - their determinants, and impacts on health. In this webinar, we will briefly present some examples of local-level data from our most recent housing survey, carried out in 2017. We will discuss potential uses of such data,…
This presentation, originally delivered at the 2017 CIPHI Annual Education Conference in Richmond, BC, provides an overview of some basic risk communication principles as they pertain to cannabis legalization in Canada, and provides suggestions and examples for those shaping public health risk messaging.
The BCCDC/NCCEH Environmental Health Seminar Series provides an opportunity for learning and knowledge exchange on a variety of environmental health topics. The seminars can be attended in-person or online.
Speaker: Leia Minaker, Assistant Professor, University of Waterloo
Abstract: Measurement of the food environment can be complex and depends on community context. In deciding which retail food environment measure to implement, three important criteria are worth considering: Relevance; Resources, and; Response. Relevance refers to whether the food environment measure is theoretically and empirically related to dietary or health outcomes. Resources considers the cost of undertaking the measurement. Response refers to the type of response that your measurement will elicit from decision makers in your community. Four specific types of responses to municipal retail food environments will be presented, including those related to urban and regional planning, transforming…
The BCCDC/NCCEH Environmental Health Seminar Series provides an opportunity for learning and knowledge exchange on a variety of environmental health topics. The seminars can be attended in-person or online.
Speaker: Dr. Trevor Hancock, Professor and Senior Scholar, University of Victoria
Abstract: As is the case with the social determinants of health, the environmental determinants of health are distributed inequitably based on income, ethnicity, age, geography, level of development and so on. In this presentation I will discuss various forms of environmental health inequity, ranging from the molecular to the global level, and the implications for communities, societies and public health and other health professionals.
The BCCDC/NCCEH Environmental Health Seminar Series provides an opportunity for learning and knowledge exchange on a variety of environmental health topics. The seminars can be attended in-person or online.
Title 1: Knowledge Translation and the Public Health Inspector: Turning Evidence into PracticeSpeaker: Charlene Tang, British Columbia Institute of TechnologyAbstract: This study focuses on knowledge translation – the process of using the best available knowledge to inform decision-making. PHIs are tasked with the critical responsibility of protecting public health. However, there is little data available about how effective and consistent current methods of distributing information to professionals across Canada are. The purpose of this research is to address this deficit by determining: (1) what information PHIs use when making public health decisions, (2) how PHIs go about finding the information required, and (3) the level of trust invested into each source of data. …The BCCDC/NCCEH Environmental Health Seminar Series provides an opportunity for learning and knowledge exchange on a variety of environmental health topics. The seminars can be attended in-person or online.
Speaker: Dr. Mélissa Généreux, Director, Estrie Public Health
Abstract: As the head of Estrie Public Health, Dr Mélissa Généreux led the public health response during and after the Lac Mégantic train derailment tragedy on July 6, 2013. She retrospectively conducted a comprehensive analysis of direct services provided by her team during the first weeks (i.e. emergency response operations) and months (i.e. recovery operations). During this session, she will share lessons learned from the Public Health response during and after the tragedy. As the Principal Investigator of a large public health survey conducted in 2014 and 2015 in the Estrie region involving more than 10,000 subjects, she will also highlight the long-term psychological impacts of the Lac-Mégantic…
The BCCDC/NCCEH Environmental Health Seminar Series provides an opportunity for learning and knowledge exchange on a variety of environmental health topics. The seminars can be attended in-person or online.
Speakers:Chief Councillor Marilyn Slett, Heiltsuk NationLinda Pillsworth, Manager of Environmental Public Health Services, FNHAAngela Eykelbosh, Environmental Health & Knowledge Translation Scientist, NCCEH/BCCDC
Abstract:In the first of two BCCDC Environmental Health Seminars focusing on oil/fuel spills and public health, Chief Marilyn Slett and Linda Pillsworth will speak on the still-unfolding events and impacts of the Bella Bella diesel spill that occurred in October 2016. This case study will provide a brief timeline of the spill events, community perspectives on health impacts, a description of measures used to support the community, and a discussion of existing and upcoming challenges.A brief primer on the health effects of large marine spills on human…