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Dr. David
Butler-Jones
Canada's
Chief Public Health
Officer, Public
Health Agency of
Canada
Diseases
and Pandemics
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
10:30 - 11:00 am
Abstract:
Understanding
interactions between
animals and humans
is critical in the
prevention of
disease outbreaks,
including pandemics
of influenza. From
his unique
perspective as
Canada's first Chief
Public Health
Officer, Dr. David
Butler-Jones will
provide important
information on the
importance of
emerging diseases
and pandemics, and
on the related
priorities and roles
of the Public Health
Agency of Canada as
they relate to the
agricultural
biotechnology
sector.
Biography
Dr. David
Butler-Jones is
Canada’s first Chief
Public Health
Officer. He heads
the Public Health
Agency of Canada
which provides
leadership on the
government’s efforts
to protect and
promote the health
and safety of
Canadians.
He has worked in
many parts of Canada
in both public
health and clinical
medicine, and has
provided expert
advice to a number
of other countries.
Dr. Butler-Jones has
taught at both the
undergraduate and
graduate levels and
has been involved as
a researcher in a
broad range of
public health
issues. He is a
Professor in the
Faculty of Medicine
at the University of
Manitoba as well as
a Clinical Professor
with the Department
of Community Health
and Epidemiology at
the University of
Saskatchewan’s
College of Medicine.
His research work
has included a mix
of primary research
design,
implementation,
reviews, advice and
commentary and
publications. He is
a member of the
Institute Advisory
Board, Population
and Public Health,
of the Canadian
Institutes of Health
Research, sits on
the Canadian
Population Health
Initiative Governing
Council and reviews
articles for the
Canadian Journal of
Public health. He
has also advised the
Chilean Ministry of
Health on how to
utilize a national
health survey and
other data in
influencing the
development of
policy and programs.
Dr. Butler-Jones has
undertaken research
that includes the
examination of
adverse effects of
marketed drugs, and
promotion of heart
health. He has
written on various
topics, including
epidemiology,
obesity and breast
cancer, for a number
of scientific
journals.
In 2008, Dr.
Butler-Jones
released his first
annual Report on the
State of Public
Health in Canada.
This report takes a
broad look at the
overall health of
Canadians, as well
as disparities in
health and other
issues. The report
can be found at
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca.
Dr. Butler-Jones’
second Report,
Growing Up Well –
Priorities for a
Healthy Future, is
expected to be
released in fall
2009. This Report
focuses on the
importance of the
early years on the
long-term health of
individuals and
communities.
From 1995 to 2002,
Dr. Butler-Jones was
Chief Medical Health
Officer and
Executive Director
of the Population
Health and Primary
Health Services
Branches for the
Province of
Saskatchewan.
Dr. Butler-Jones has
served with a number
of organizations
including as:
President of the
Canadian Public
Health Association;
Vice President of
the American Public
Health Association;
Chair of the
Canadian Roundtable
on Health and
Climate Change;
International Regent
on the board of the
American College of
Preventive Medicine;
Member of the
Governing Council
for the Canadian
Population Health
Initiative; Chair of
the National
Coalition on
Enhancing Preventive
Practices of Health
Professionals; and
Co-Chair of the
Canadian Coalition
for Public Health in
the 21st Century.
From 1995 to 2002,
Dr. Butler-Jones was
Chief Medical Health
Officer and
Executive Director
of the Population
Health and Primary
Health Services
Branches for the
Province of
Saskatchewan.
In recognition of
his service in the
field of public
health, York
University’s Faculty
of Health bestowed
on Dr. Butler-Jones
an honorary Doctor
of Laws degree. The
father of three
children, Dr.
Butler-Jones lives
in Winnipeg and
Ottawa.
