A New Perspective on the Health of Canadians

A New Perspective on the Health of Canadians is one of the founding documents in health promotion. Since its release in 1974, the document has challenged traditional views about health and has received, and continues to receive, national and international acclaim and recognition for its contribution to the health field. It has been a cornerstone of Canada's international reputation and a proud historical achievement in the health field.

The document outlined a conceptual framework for health (called the "Health Field Concept") comprising four main elements: human biology, environment, lifestyle and health care organization. This innovative framework gave impetus to national and international initiatives in knowledge development, health promotion, health protection and health care which not only have contributed to the health of Canadians, but also to global health initiatives.

The document can be read or downloaded in Acrobat Reader format by clicking on the title above.