What does this mean for YOU?

It means….

• You can access health care and health information right in your neighbourhood in a way you feel comfortable, with people who have knowledge of your community
• You can now access some services that you were unable to, for whatever reason, in the traditional health care system
• You have increased access to social and community services
• You can speak out about issues that matter to you in your community
• You can have a say in the health of your community
• You can participate in making your community healthier for everyone

Principals of health care that reach beyond primary or medical health care guide a CHC’s mandate and operation. Health is more than the absence of disease; it includes overall well being of a community at many levels, including family and individual.

Using this understanding of health, CHCs provide services that keep people healthy by addressing impacts on health that are social, environmental, physical, and economic. CHCs focus on preventing health problems by building people’s capacity to access the services and things they need, like employment, affordable housing, childcare, youth recreation programs, to name a few.

Health promotion provides education to communities to empower people to speak out for their right to be healthy. By working with existing organizations and groups in East Mississauga, health promotion can increase people’s access to information on issues that are important to them and affect their well-being.

How does a CHC differ from other health care providers?

• You can access available services at a CHC that you may not have access to in the traditional health care system, for whatever reason
• CHCs provide you with family health care administered by doctors and nurse practitioners; this can include naturopathy or asthma clinics for example.
• CHCs can offer foot care for people that cannot normally access fee-based services
• Combined social and health services increase your access and respond to specific needs of your community
• CHC’s provide a continuity of care, including follow-up for clients
• Health promotion is a core value of CHCs
• Community participation is ensured in a variety of ways, including community governed Board of Directors.