Empowering Equity: The Lasting Impact of the Ottawa Charter

The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion has clearly shaped how we think about health when it was signed in 1986 and was an important first step. Almost 40 years later, you can still see the influence that it has on our health systems (Potvin & Jones, 2011). 

Why the Ottawa Charter Still Matters

The charter emphasized the following 4 perspectives, which are all important lenses to maintain when we think about health systems.

• Accessibility

• Equity

• Prevention

• Empowerment

VirtualMD: Putting the Charter into Practice

When I was at AHS, Healthlink 811, we launched the VirtualMD program. This is an example of a shift in practice. By connecting people who called into 811 with a virtual appointment with a physician or nurse practitioner if deemed necessary by one of our nurses this addresses barriers in accessibility and timeliness of care. Utilizing digital and technology platforms to make this happen. This was about empowering patients with timely care, which is found as a core idea of the charter (Potvin & Jones, 2011). 

Alethea Medical and Equity in Action

In my current position with Alethea Medical, an eConsult platform connecting primary care providers with specialists to receive care advice, we are working to improve efficiency in the system and addressing systemic inequities in access to care, specifically in rural or underserved communities. This specifically aligns with the Charter’s goal of positioning health services toward prevention, and equity (WHO, 2021a). 

Challenges We Still Face

Of course, challenges still remain and will require innovative thinking to adapt and overcome as we move into the future. For example, Canada and many countries continue to struggle with inequities in health outcomes. This can especially be observed among indigenous and marginalized communities, a challenge identified in the 3rd volume by the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (Volume 3, 1996). Keeping these issues top of mind while creating future plans and systems will help us move the needle to more equitable care for all (Lalonde, 1974; WHO, 2021b). 

Looking Ahead

Upon learning more about the Ottawa Charter it’s clear that the role it has played in healthcare has been visionary and practical. It highlights conditions that allow people and communities to thrive and keeping the Charter’s values top of mind will help us move healthcare in a direction where we can make impactful change.

References

Lalonde, M. (1974). A new perspective on the health of Canadians: A working document. Minister of Supply and Services Canada. https://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ph-sp/pdf/perspect-eng.pdf 

PixelPlex. (2022, July 21). How is healthcare undergoing a digital transformation? [Image]. PixelPlex. https://pixelplex.io/blog/digital-transformation-in-healthcare/

Potvin, L., & Jones, C. M. (2011). Twenty-five years after the Ottawa Charter: The critical role of health promotion for public health. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 102(4), 244–248. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404041

Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. (1996). Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, Volume 3: Gathering Strength. Canada Communication Group – Publishing.https://data2.archives.ca/e/e448/e011188230-03.pdf 

World Health Organization. (2021a). Geneva Charter for Well-being. https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/the-geneva-charter-for-well-being  

World Health Organization. (2021b). Health promotion glossary of terms 2021. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240038349