Advancing Public Engagement in Health Policy

Advancing Public Engagement in Health Policy 

Healthcare Policy Special Issue, Vol. 20 

The Public and Patient Engagement Collaborative (PPEC) is excited to announce the release of “Healthcare Policy, Vol. 20: Public Engagement in Canadian Health Policy”.   

This interdisciplinary collection of work critically examines whether current public engagement approaches in Canada are equipped to address today’s complex health policy challenges. Through a series of research papers and commentaries, this collection highlights strategies for ethical, equitable engagement to shape the governance, funding, and organization of health services across Canada.   

The contributions in this issue are the culmination of a three-year Public Engagement in Health Policy (PEHP) project, led by a team of scholars, practitioners, and community partners. It also features five trainee-led articles, showcasing the importance of capacity-building and mentorship in advancing public engagement research.   

Trainees played key leadership roles in the PEHP project, supported by research fellowships to investigate various topics such as recruitment, representation, and ethical engagement in health policy. These fellowships not only built capacity for the next generation of engagement scholars but also informed innovative approaches to policy-oriented, community-led engagement.   

Through this collection, the PEHP project aims to bridge research and practice, advocating for purposeful engagement rooted in democracy and equity. By reflecting on lessons learned and envisioning transformative possibilities, the special issue offers insights for policymakers, researchers, and communities seeking to strengthen public engagement in Canadian health policy.   

The “Healthcare Policy, Vol. 20: Public Engagement in Canadian Health Policy” is published by Longwoods Publishing, and with support from the McMaster Future of Canada Project.