Title

Public Health Funding: Results of a Quantitative Analysis Exploring the Influence of Local Public Health Unit Characteristics on the Provision of Provincial and Local Funding

Author

Sandy Stevens, Western University

Date of Award

7-24-2015

Degree Type

Major Research Paper

Degree Name

Master of Public Administration

Program

Political Science

Supervisor

Young, Robert

Geographical Areas

Ontario

Abstract

This paper attempts to identify what local public health unit (PHU) characteristics, if any, may be contributing factors to the variations in provincial and local per capita funding levels between PHUs. Financial data was collected on the size of the grant provided to each health unit by the Province of Ontario and the total expenditures spent by each PHU. This data was analyzed in relation to four health unit characteristics: the governance model of the board of health; the population density of the area overseen by each health unit; the economic health of the local communities; and the workload experienced by each PHU based on the health status of their local population. The findings reveal a strong relationship between the population density of a given PHU and the level of per capita funding provided by the local municipalities and the Province of Ontario, with areas of lower population density receiving greater levels of funding.

Recommended Citation

Stevens, Sandy, "Public Health Funding: Results of a Quantitative Analysis Exploring the Influence of Local Public Health Unit Characteristics on the Provision of Provincial and Local Funding" (2015). MPA Major Research Papers. 142.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/lgp-mrps/142