To understand our budget, it is imperative to understand the needs of the community in Windsor and Essex County (WEC), including the public health challenges we face and attempt to address with finite financial and human resources. Beyond specific data driven community needs, in some instances the Ministry of Health outlines requirements that must be fulfilled based upon the Ontario Public Health Standards and related legislation.
In 2016 the WECHU completed a Community Needs Assessment (CNA) to identify population health needs and to describe factors that should be addressed to improve the health and well-being of individuals in our community. The assessment was updated in 2019 to identify any new or emerging trends previously unidentified. The findings highlight opportunities for the WECHU and its community partners in addressing and prioritizing the health needs of our community. Furthermore, this report also provides information on some of the disparities and health inequities found within WEC. Below is a summary of key findings related to the public health needs in WEC, as well as details about Ministry of Health mandated requirements (where applicable). For more information please see the 2019 Community Needs Assessment on the WECHU website and the Ontario Public Health Standards.