An epistemic community comes and goes? Local and national expressions of heart health promotion in Canada
2009

Heart Health Promotion in Canada

Sample size: 66 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): John Eyles, Kerry Robinson, Susan Elliott

Primary Institution: McMaster University

Hypothesis

What is the existence and shape of epistemic communities for heart health promotion in Canada?

Conclusion

Economic, political, and cultural factors shape the presence and implementation of the epistemic community in different jurisdictions.

Supporting Evidence

  • An international epistemic community for health promotion has been developing for 30 to 35 years.
  • The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion set a standard for health promotion practices.
  • Health Canada has been a key player in promoting heart health initiatives.

Takeaway

This study looks at how groups of experts work together to promote heart health in Canada, showing that their influence can change based on local conditions.

Methodology

An interpretive policy analysis using 60 documents and 66 interviews across five Canadian provinces.

Limitations

The study cannot provide an exhaustive analysis of all health promotion issues in Canada and was limited by the focus on chronic disease prevention.

Participant Demographics

Participants included project stakeholders and research members from various health organizations across five provinces.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1472-6963-9-35

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