Chinook Health

Chinook Health is a regional health authority that falls under the jurisdiction of Alberta Health Services, the governing body for healthcare regulation in the Canadian province of Alberta. It is responsible for administering public health services in southwestern Alberta, Canada. The region covered by Chinook Health is bordered by Montana to the south, British Columbia to the west, Calgary Health Region to the north, and Palliser Health Region to the east.

Government

Until May 15, 2008, the Chinook Regional Health Authority was governed by a 12-member Board appointed from communities within the region. However, on May 15, 2008, the Board, along with the boards of all other 8 health regions, was dissolved by Health Minister Ron Liepert. Governance was then transferred to the province-wide Alberta Health Services Board.

Demographics

Covering an area of 25,947 km², the region has a population of over 150,000, which accounts for 5% of Alberta's population. The majority of the region's population is concentrated in Lethbridge.

In 1998, individuals over the age of 65 made up more than 10% of the Chinook Health region's population.

The region is home to approximately 10,000 Aboriginal people, primarily from the Blackfoot Nations. This number also includes some Cree, Métis, Inuit, and other Indigenous groups.

Additionally, there are around 15,000 Kanadier Mennonites residing in the Chinook Health region. The exact number fluctuates as some groups migrate between their home communities in Central America and the region.

Facilities

Chinook Health operates 12 hospitals, 15 community health centres, and 5 continuing care facilities across 14 communities.

Employment

The health region is the largest employer in Lethbridge, with a workforce of 3,500 staff members and 200 physicians.

Services

Chinook Health provides a wide range of services throughout the region, including:

- Breast health - Cardiac rehab - Chinook Rehabilitation Program (CRP) - Community nutrition - Diabetes management - Emergency and critical care - Healing arts - Health protection - Health promotion - Laboratory - Medical imaging - Medicine and surgery - Mental health - Nutrition services - Oral health - Pharmacy - Physicians - Population health - Respiratory - Seniors' health - Social Work - Spiritual care services - Transitional care - Wellness services - Women's and children's health

External links

• Chinook Health Services