Healthy human services

Goal

Equitable access to high-quality social, community, and health services.

Target

A family doctor for every Vancouver resident, and increase number of citizens who report having access to services when they need them by 25%.

Overview

Connecting to care can be a critical first step on the long road to greater mental and physical health and well-being. The Healthy City Strategy promotes an integrated approach to human services. We want to ensure that all Vancouverites have access to the services they need to thrive.

Human services include support for:

Physical illness or injury
Career and training help
Assistance for new parents
Instances in which we need counselling or support
Vulnerable populations who may face multiple barriers to accessing services

Progress we've made so far

Healthy City Dashboard

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Percentage of adults who report having a family doctor

Source: Vancouver Coastal Health, My Health My Community Survey; 2013 and prior from Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey.

How we measure change

We use a number of data sources to monitor trends in the health of the city. We monitor progress toward Healthy Human Services using data from the federal census program, inventories of community services, and usage of recreation services.
Attachment to a family doctor or primary health care provider
- 65% Indigenous adults with family doctor
  Source: My Health My Community Survey
Proximity to "community hubs" (library, community centre, neighbourhood house)
- 43% of persons are within a 15‑minute walk of a community centre, library and neighbourhood house (2016)
  Source: City of Vancouver, Social Policy
Access to services when needed
- 77% persons reporting very good or somewhat good access to health, community and social services when they need them (2017)
  Source: Healthy Human Services Survey (City of Vancouver)
Park Board Leisure Access Program usage
- As of 2016, 14,623 persons took part in the Leisure Access Program, approximately 12% of those eligible
  Source: Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation
2015-2018 Priority actions

Steps toward achieving this goal in the first four years of the Healthy City Strategy.
1. Develop a Social Amenities Priorities Plan.
  - Results: We will develop a plan that aligns investments based on research and data to increase equitable access to services; and to ensure that services can respond to changing local needs over time.
2. Support the implementation of priorities identified through the efforts of the Mayor’s Task Force on Mental Health and Addictions.
  - Results: We will optimize an effective mental health and addiction service system through integration, peer supports, specialized addiction practices, consumer choice and involvement, and special attention to youth, Indigenous, and gender inclusion.