Report on health indicators is of limited value to Canadians

(Chapter 8—Reporting on Health Indicators—Health Canada - December 2008 Report of the Auditor General)

Ottawa, 5 February 2009—Health Canada has published health indicator reports as a result of commitments made by First Ministers in 2000, 2003, and 2004, says the Auditor General of Canada, Sheila Fraser, in her Report tabled today in the House of Commons. However, these reports do not meet the broader intent of providing Canadians with information on the progress of health care renewal.

“Reports on health indicators are meant to inform Canadians about progress being made on key priorities, such as quality of service. However, Health Canada’s report falls short,” said Ms. Fraser.

Several of the audit’s observations raise questions about the value of Healthy Canadians, the biennial report published by Health Canada. For example, the report provides statistics on indicators such as wait times reported by patients for diagnostic services, but not enough information to help readers interpret the significance of the data or what the indicators say about progress in health care renewal.

The audit found that Health Canada did not improve or change its presentation of health information in successive reports, despite feedback from Canadians indicating that the reports were not meeting their information needs.

“Other national organizations publish similar reports,” said Ms. Fraser. “Health Canada needs to review its role and its approach to health indicator reporting.”

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The chapter “Reporting on Health Indicators—Health Canada” is available on the Office of the Auditor General of Canada Web site.

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