Do Canadian civil servants care about the health of populations?

Abstract

This article describes Canadian civil servants' awareness of, attitudes toward, and self-reported use of ideas about the determinants of health. Federal and provincial civil servants in departments of finance, labor, social services, and health were surveyed. With civil servants in finance departments a notable exception, most Canadian civil servants see the health of populations as a relevant outcome for their sectors. Many (65%) report that ideas about the determinants of health have already influenced policymaking in their sector, but most (83%) say they need more information about the health consequences of the policy alternatives their departments face. Civil servants should consider developing accountability structures for health and researchers should consider producing and transferring more policy-relevant research.