Changes in chronic disease prevention resources and activities in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic
BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic disrupted public health efforts for chronic disease prevention (CDP) in Canada and elsewhere. We describe COVID-19–related disruptions in CDP resources and activities among Canadian public health organizations. MethodsWe surveyed all or...
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Public Health Agency of Canada
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada |
| Online Access: | https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/reports-publications/health-promotion-chronic-disease-prevention-canada-research-policy-practice/vol-45-no-7-8-2025/changes-chronic-disease-prevention-resources-activities-canada-covid-19-pandemic.html |
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| author | Katerina Maximova Maryam Marashi Elizabeth Holmes David L. Mowat Greg Penney Gilles Paradis Jennifer L. O’Loughlin |
| author_facet | Katerina Maximova Maryam Marashi Elizabeth Holmes David L. Mowat Greg Penney Gilles Paradis Jennifer L. O’Loughlin |
| author_sort | Katerina Maximova |
| collection | DOAJ |
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BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic disrupted public health efforts for chronic disease prevention (CDP) in Canada and elsewhere. We describe COVID-19–related disruptions in CDP resources and activities among Canadian public health organizations.
MethodsWe surveyed all organizations in Canada with mandates for primary CDP, including “resource organizations” that develop or transfer CDP initiatives and “user organizations” that deliver these CDP initiatives to target populations. Key informants most knowledgeable about CDP activities and resources within each organization reported pandemic-related changes in CDP resources and activities. User organizations also reported on the status of 18 specific CDP activities and rated whether pandemic containment measures were barriers to or facilitators of CDP activities.
ResultsOf the 298 participating organizations (88% response), 129 were resource organizations (37% formally mandated organizations [FMOs]; 63% non-governmental organizations [NGOs]) and 169 were user organizations (48% FMOs; 52% NGOs). Overall, 36% reported decreases in CDP funding (24% major, 12% minor), 30%–41% reported decreases in full-time, volunteer and managerial staff (19%–27% major, 11%–14% minor) and 32% reported decreases in CDP activities (23% major, 9% minor). User FMOs were most affected by decreases. Among user organizations, 16%–39% decreased, suspended or discontinued specific CDP activities. Still, 8%–39% increased their activities, particularly those targeting mental health, marginalized populations, racialized communities and specific gender groups. Half (53%) of user organizations perceived COVID-19 contagion restrictions as barriers to CDP activities.
ConclusionContinued monitoring of CDP resources and activities can inform emergency preparedness and ensure that CDP remains a priority during public health crises. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b628074a94de4a7d9cc086c383881c1e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2368-738X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Public Health Agency of Canada |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada |
| spelling | doaj-art-b628074a94de4a7d9cc086c383881c1e2025-08-20T14:35:53ZengPublic Health Agency of CanadaHealth Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada2368-738X2025-08-01457/833534410.24095/hpcdp.45.7/8.03Changes in chronic disease prevention resources and activities in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemicKaterina Maximova0Maryam Marashi1Elizabeth Holmes2David L. Mowat3Greg Penney4Gilles Paradis5Jennifer L. O’Loughlin6MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaFaculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaCanadian Cancer Society, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaMAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaCanadian Public Health Association, Ottawa, Ontario, CanadaDepartment of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, CanadaCentre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Quebec, Canada BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic disrupted public health efforts for chronic disease prevention (CDP) in Canada and elsewhere. We describe COVID-19–related disruptions in CDP resources and activities among Canadian public health organizations. MethodsWe surveyed all organizations in Canada with mandates for primary CDP, including “resource organizations” that develop or transfer CDP initiatives and “user organizations” that deliver these CDP initiatives to target populations. Key informants most knowledgeable about CDP activities and resources within each organization reported pandemic-related changes in CDP resources and activities. User organizations also reported on the status of 18 specific CDP activities and rated whether pandemic containment measures were barriers to or facilitators of CDP activities. ResultsOf the 298 participating organizations (88% response), 129 were resource organizations (37% formally mandated organizations [FMOs]; 63% non-governmental organizations [NGOs]) and 169 were user organizations (48% FMOs; 52% NGOs). Overall, 36% reported decreases in CDP funding (24% major, 12% minor), 30%–41% reported decreases in full-time, volunteer and managerial staff (19%–27% major, 11%–14% minor) and 32% reported decreases in CDP activities (23% major, 9% minor). User FMOs were most affected by decreases. Among user organizations, 16%–39% decreased, suspended or discontinued specific CDP activities. Still, 8%–39% increased their activities, particularly those targeting mental health, marginalized populations, racialized communities and specific gender groups. Half (53%) of user organizations perceived COVID-19 contagion restrictions as barriers to CDP activities. ConclusionContinued monitoring of CDP resources and activities can inform emergency preparedness and ensure that CDP remains a priority during public health crises.https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/reports-publications/health-promotion-chronic-disease-prevention-canada-research-policy-practice/vol-45-no-7-8-2025/changes-chronic-disease-prevention-resources-activities-canada-covid-19-pandemic.html |
| spellingShingle | Katerina Maximova Maryam Marashi Elizabeth Holmes David L. Mowat Greg Penney Gilles Paradis Jennifer L. O’Loughlin Changes in chronic disease prevention resources and activities in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada |
| title | Changes in chronic disease prevention resources and activities in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_full | Changes in chronic disease prevention resources and activities in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_fullStr | Changes in chronic disease prevention resources and activities in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_full_unstemmed | Changes in chronic disease prevention resources and activities in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_short | Changes in chronic disease prevention resources and activities in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_sort | changes in chronic disease prevention resources and activities in canada during the covid 19 pandemic |
| url | https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/reports-publications/health-promotion-chronic-disease-prevention-canada-research-policy-practice/vol-45-no-7-8-2025/changes-chronic-disease-prevention-resources-activities-canada-covid-19-pandemic.html |
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