Public Health
Overview
Since 2010, BORN Ontario has worked in close collaboration with public health partners to support reproductive health surveillance and population health assessment across the province. This partnership was initiated through a joint effort by the Council of Medical Officers of Health (COMOH) and the Association of Public Health Epidemiologists in Ontario (APHEO), who advocated for public health unit (PHU) access to BORN registry data. Together, BORN and APHEO developed mechanisms for secure data access and identified key data elements to support public health work.
Why This Matters
Public health units play a vital role in promoting perinatal and child health at the community level. Access to high-quality data helps public health professionals monitor trends, identify areas of need, and design targeted interventions. The BORN/Public Health Partnership helps equip local health units with data and collaborative opportunities that support their efforts to serve families and promote positive health outcomes across Ontario.
BORN's Role
- BORN Ontario: Provides secure data access, leads integration initiatives, and supports privacy audits.
- Public Health Units (PHUs): Use BORN data for surveillance, planning, and evaluation of local programs.
- Public Health Ontario & APHEO: Collaborate on privacy, data quality, and working group leadership.
Impact and Benefits
For Ontario Families
- Efficient connection to postnatal services like HBHC
- Locally tailored public health programs
- Timely education and outreach based on emerging trends
For Public Health Units
- Timely access to perinatal and child health data
- Enhanced planning and evaluation capabilities
- Opportunities to shape data use through working groups
For Healthcare
- Strengthened data stewardship through annual privacy audits
- Improved service integration via HBHC data sharing
- Support for provincial policy and resource planning
Scope and Participation
Access to BORN data is available to public health units that have signed data-sharing agreements and completed privacy training. Local Administrators at each PHU manage access and ensure compliance with privacy protocols.
All 35 public health units in Ontario are part of this partnership. Participation includes access to the BORN Information System, involvement in the Reproductive Health Working Group, and collaboration on integration initiatives.
Stay Informed
Contact the BORN Public Health Clinical Content Specialist
Contact Us
BORN Ontario
401 Smyth Rd
Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1
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1-855-881-BORN (2676)
