PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING

Public health is most commonly defined as the organized efforts of society to keep people healthy and prevent injury, illness, and premature death. It is a combination of programs, services, and policies that protect and promote the health of all Canadians (Last, 2001). In September 2004, the Public Health Agency of Canada was established with the mission to “promote and protect the health of Canadians through leadership, partnership, innovation, and action in public health” (Government of Canada, 2006; Public Health Agency of Canada, 2015). In 2006, the Public Health Agency of Canada Act confirmed the agency as a legal entity and appointed a chief public health officer (CPHO). This legislation requires that the CPHO report annually on the state of public health in Canada. Under the leadership of the Public Health Nursing