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The Alberta Oil Sands Community Exposure and Health Effects Assessment Program : technical report

Description

Over the past few decades, emphasis has been placed on environmental toxicology and modeling of pollutant fate and transport in the environment to deal with human health concerns. Sources of... More ≫

Description

Over the past few decades, emphasis has been placed on environmental toxicology and modeling of pollutant fate and transport in the environment to deal with human health concerns. Sources of pollution such as stack emissions, industrial effluents, and toxic wastes are being monitored and are reasonably well understood. However, at the time of this report human exposure to contaminants from all pathways (air, food, drinking water, and direct skin contact) is largely unknown. Several countries, as well as the World Health Organization, are implementing exposure and health effects assessment approaches to address human health concerns related to environmental and other factors. This document describes an application of the approach in Alberta to assess human exposure to contaminants from oil sands industrial activity.

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The Alberta Oil Sands Community Exposure and Health Effects Assessment Program : summary report

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This report provides an overview of the Alberta Oil Sands Community Exposure and Health Effects Assessment Program Main Study. The report describes the population and personal distribution of... More ≫

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This report provides an overview of the Alberta Oil Sands Community Exposure and Health Effects Assessment Program Main Study. The report describes the population and personal distribution of exposure to airborne chemicals and particulates in the city of Fort McMurray. Using a personal exposure model, the relative contribution of various exposure sources and pathways to airborne chemicals is estimated and associations between exposure to airborne chemicals and human health effects are described.

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Your air, your health : a major new study tests the quality of air and human health in Fort McMurray

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In 1994, the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board recommended that a study be done on the quality of the air in the community of Fort McMurray, and its potential impact on human health. Scientists... More ≫

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In 1994, the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board recommended that a study be done on the quality of the air in the community of Fort McMurray, and its potential impact on human health. Scientists worked with 300 volunteer participants to test their health, measure the quality of the air they breathed and test the air in Fort McMurray. This resource presents an overview of the findings of the study, which concluded that Fort McMurray residents are breathing good quality air and that ambient levels of airborne contaminants are low compared to provincial, national and international guidelines.

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Healthy aging : new directions for care : public and stakeholder response to the final report of the Long Term Care Policy Advisory Committee

Description

Alberta’s population is aging. Preparing the continuing care system now to address the current and emerging challenges is a priority. In November, 1997, the Minister of Health appointed a Long... More ≫

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Alberta’s population is aging. Preparing the continuing care system now to address the current and emerging challenges is a priority. In November, 1997, the Minister of Health appointed a Long Term Care Policy Advisory Committee to conduct a comprehensive two year study of long term care services in the province. Their work resulted in a three part report Healthy Aging: New Directions for Care, containing a vision, principles and 50 recommendations for building on the strengths of the existing system and proposing innovative approaches for meeting future needs and demands. Upon release of the report, a public consultative process, using a web-based survey, was undertaken to gather responses and feedback on the recommendations. Over 100 service providers, operators of continuing care facilities, professional and provincial associations, provincial and regional health authorities and the public responded. Appendix A contains a listing of all respondents.

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Building better bridges : final report on programs and services in support of persons with developmental disabilities

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Primarily in response to financial difficulties encountered by some Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) community boards in June 1999, a review was requested to look into why and how... More ≫

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Primarily in response to financial difficulties encountered by some Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) community boards in June 1999, a review was requested to look into why and how these financial difficulties had arisen. The review also looked at other issues impacting PDD beyond the financial aspect. The review included confidential interviews with various stakeholders, a review of financial-related materials by an independent and private accountant, and a series of public meetings. As a result, the observations and recommendations in this report reflect the advice and suggestions of hundreds of Albertans. These recommendations are intended to serve as a starting point to address key issues and provide a stable, predictable and accountable PDD system that values, protects, supports and enhances the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities.

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Healthy aging : new directions for care : Long Term Care Review final report. Part one: overview

Description

In November 1997, Health Minister Halvar Jonson initiated a comprehensive, two-year review of long term care services in the province. The purpose was to consult with Albertans, review trends and... More ≫

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In November 1997, Health Minister Halvar Jonson initiated a comprehensive, two-year review of long term care services in the province. The purpose was to consult with Albertans, review trends and alternatives, consider the impact of an aging population, and develop a comprehensive direction for moving Alberta’s continuing care system into a new millenium. A Long Term Care Policy Advisory Committee was established to guide the review, provide advice on specific issues and develop recommendations for the future. In November 1999 the Committee presented its report to the government. Part One of this report provides an overview and highlights of the Committee’s new vision for continuing care and meeting the needs of an aging population in the province. It includes key recommendations both for addressing immediate pressing needs and for implementing new directions for the future.

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The report on the health of Albertans : looking through a wider lens

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This report describes current health trends in Alberta and factors that affect health over time. It also identifies key areas where action can be taken, such as tobacco use, injury prevention,... More ≫

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This report describes current health trends in Alberta and factors that affect health over time. It also identifies key areas where action can be taken, such as tobacco use, injury prevention, children’s health, and environmental health. It is for anyone interested in the health of Albertans, particularly those working in government, in leadership positions in health authorities, and in a wide variety of community agencies and organizations.

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Response to the final report of Health Summit '99

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In December 1998, Premier Ralph Klein announced Health Summit '99 and launched a process for seeking input on the health care system in Alberta and the responsibility and role of individuals in... More ≫

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In December 1998, Premier Ralph Klein announced Health Summit '99 and launched a process for seeking input on the health care system in Alberta and the responsibility and role of individuals in managing their own health. The summit was held in February 1999 and was preceded by a wider public consultation to inform the summit. A final report was prepared following the summit and identified common themes that emerged from the discussions. This response document addresses those common themes. The Government of Alberta accepts in principle and is committed to following up on all of the recommendations received through Health Summit '99, and the report highlights many of the initiatives already underway or planned, which respond to the Summit recommendations.

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Assessing air quality in High Level report 1 : a preliminary analysis of physician visits and air particulate data

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A study was done to assess air quality in High Level from a human health perspective. The study had two major components: an examination of existing health data on selected respiratory diseases;... More ≫

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A study was done to assess air quality in High Level from a human health perspective. The study had two major components: an examination of existing health data on selected respiratory diseases; and a collection of direct measures of air quality. The air quality component of the study focused on estimates of the personal exposure levels to selected air pollutants and how these exposures related to ambient levels of the pollutants. The health data component of the study showed rates of physician claims for the respiratory disorders in High Level were less than the provincial average.

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Maternal risk factors in relationship to birth outcome

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This report describes how maternal behaviours such as the use of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs among Alberta’s women impacts the risk of pre-term birth and low birth weight. As well, the... More ≫

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This report describes how maternal behaviours such as the use of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs among Alberta’s women impacts the risk of pre-term birth and low birth weight. As well, the report highlights regional variations in maternal and infant characteristics, the understanding of which may be useful in the design and implementation of targeted intervention programs.

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