Public Health Special Reports

Reports on specific health topics that may interest British Columbians or require changes in legislation, in accordance with the Health Act.

Provincial Health Officer's Annual Report: Progress on the Action Plan for Safe Drinking Water (PDF  14M)
Progress on the Action Plan for Safe Drinking Water

Public Health Approach to Alcohol Policy: An Updated Report from the Provincial Health Officer (2008) (PDF 1.6M)
This report reviews in detail: levels and patterns of alcohol consumption, rates and trends of alcohol related health and social harms, the current cost-benefit profile of alcohol in B.C., best practice policies for managing alcohol in society, and the status of current alcohol policies in B.C. relative to these best practices.

The Health and Well-being of the Aboriginal Population - Interim update, February 2007 (PDF 322K)
This report presents an interim update of selected health status indicators. A detailed update of the 2001 Provincial Health Officer’s Annual Report will be released in the Fall 2007.

Joint Special Report: Provincial Health Officer and Representative for Children and Youth (2007) (PDF 1.4M)
Health and Well-being of Children in Care in British Columbia: Educational Experience and Outcomes.

Progress on the Action Plan for Safe Drinking Water in British Columbia (2007) (PDF 2.2M)
This report provides a progress report on the Action Plan for Safe Drinking Water in British Columbia, and considers the status of drinking water protection since the implementation of the Drinking Water Protection Act.

Evaluation of the Impact of Making HIV a Reportable Infection in BC (2006) (PDF 560K)
Surveillance of HIV infections has been shown to enhance the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. Prior to making HIV a reportable infection in BC, the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) undertook community consultations in BC to inform this decision.

Joint Special Report:Health and Well-Being of Children in Care in British Columbia (2006)
Children in care are known to have generally poorer outcomes than children who have never been in care. As the guardian of these children (through the Director under the Child, Family and Community Service Act), government has a special responsibility to develop strategies to improve these outcomes.

Prevention of Falls and Injuries Among the Elderly (2004) (PDF 2.3M)
The impact of falls and injuries on elderly individuals, their families, and society. New data confirms the seriousness of this public health concern in BC. Factors t

An Ounce of Prevention (2003) (PDF  429K)
A strategy to ensure the school curriculum follows best practices, including physical activity and healthy nutrition in Grades 11 and 12. Supports and enhances other interministry government initiatives, such as Action Schools!BC, Active BC 2010, the Premier's Sport Award Program and Chronic Disease Prevention Initiatives.hat increase the risk of falling and evidence-based strategies to prevent falls and injuries.

A Review of Infant Mortality in British Columbia:Opportunities for Prevention (2003) (PDF  1.2M)
Focuses on internationally accepted indicators of maternal and child health - infant mortality and low birth weight rates (LBW). Analyzes available data and patterns for infants from birth to age one. Recommendations for improving birth outcomes in BC.

Provincial Health Officer's Report on HIV Reportability (2002) (PDF  1.0M)
Results of a review and community consultation, and recommendations on HIV reportability.

Public Health Approach to Alcohol Policy: A Report of the Provincial Health Officer (2002) (PDF  113K)
This review was prompted by recent changes to the rules and regulations governing the sale of alcohol products in BC. A liquor reform strategy, announced in March 2002, will increase the availability of alcohol.

Children and Youth in Care: An Epidemiological Review of Mortality, British Columbia, April 1974 to March 2000 (2001) (PDF 725K)
Long-term analysis of the health status of a particularly vulnerable group of children - children and youth in government care.

Health Status of Children and Youth in Care in British Columbia: What do the Mortality Data Show (2001) (PDF 336K)
Overall, the children and youth of British Columbia are among the healthiest in the world. This report presents death-related trends and patterns among children and youth in government care. It also provides facts about the leading causes of death and strategies for prevention.

Antimicrobial Resistance: A Recommended Action Plan for BC (2000) (PDF 212K)
A framework for a BC action plan on antimicrobial resistance. Summarizes input from a broadly- based and interdisciplinary group of experts and stakeholders, including a multi-sectoral provincial steering committee.

HIV, Hepatitis, and Injection Drug Use in British Columbia Pay Now or Pay Later? (1998) (PDF 373K)
Reports on progress to address the epidemic of death and disease resulting from injection drug use in BC. Recommendations to pursue provincial goals and objectives related to illicit drugs.

For copies of the above reports or other reports produced by the Office of the Provincial Health Officer please call or fax your request:
Phone (250) 952-1330
Fax (250) 952-1362

PDF Format

Some documents on this Web site are in PDF format and require a PDF reader. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader Version 7.0 or the most recent version of another PDF reader, you can download Adobe Acrobat Reader by clicking on the 'Get Acrobat Reader' icon.