Measuring access to priority health services

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Home care, community care, mental health services and substance use services in Canada

November 30, 2023 — Updated information is now available about access to home and community care and to mental health and substance use services.

The 12 pan-Canadian Shared Health PrioritiesFootnote i indicators were chosen by the federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) health ministriesFootnote ii in consultation with Canadians, to measure progress in improving access to these areas of health care.

Updated data for the 12 Shared Health Priorities indicators can be found in CIHI’s Your Health System web tool. 

Over time, these indicators will tell a clearer story about access to care across the country and will help identify where there are gaps in services. Understanding where gaps exist will help improve care at the front lines and better meet the needs of Canadian patients and their families.

Note: The indicator results include data from the COVID-19 pandemic period and should be interpreted in the context of the pandemic.