The Public Health Association of Nova Scotia believes that public health is a product of a healthy community, a healthy environment, and a healthy economy. Each of us has a role to play in making public health a fact of life in Nova Scotia.
The Public Health Association of Nova Scotia believes that public health is a product of a healthy community, a healthy environment, and a healthy economy. Each of us has a role to play in making public health a fact of life in Nova Scotia.
The Public Health Association of Nova Scotia believes that public health is a product of a healthy community, a healthy environment, and a healthy economy. Each of us has a role to play in making public health a fact of life in Nova Scotia.
Join PHANS as we rejuvenate in 2026!
The Public Health Association of Nova Scotia (PHANS) is an independent, volunteer-run, non-profit organization working to promote the health of Nova Scotians and our communities through leadership, advocacy and and knowledge sharing.
Click the Member Signup button below to join PHANS today!
Click the Member Signup button below to join PHANS today!
Dr. Ranil Appuhamy – "Let's Learn Public Health" series on YouTube
Public Health News
"Potentially dangerous drug found for the first time in the province"
Steve Gow, City News updated 22 March 2026
https://halifax.citynews.ca/2026/03/20/potentially-dangerous-drug-found-for-first-time-in-province-n-s-health/
“Two case of bird flu confirmed, 1 suspected, in N.S. this month"
Yuan Wang, CBC News 19 Feb 2026
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/avian-flu-bird-influenza-9.7098454
“Child poverty declining in N.S., but thousands at risk without government help”
Michael Gorman, CBC News 18 Feb 2026
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/child-poverty-decreasing-nova-scotia-thousands-at-risk-no-government-intervention-9.7094487
“Epidemic in our schools: Cancer society sounds alarm on N.S. vaping”
Anjuli Patil, CBC News 26 Jan 2026
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/youth-vaping-nova-scotia-canadian-cancer-society-9.7061565
“N.S. to release environmental racism panel final report after community consultation”
Michael Gorman, CBC News 18 Dec 2025
https://www.cbc.ca/lite/story/9.7019996
Public Health in Nova Scotia
Public Health Surveillance in Nova Scotia. Presentation by Jesse Kancir, Katie McIsaac & Colleen Ryan, 09 April 2026.
We are building a bibliography of publications, links and other material related to Public Health in Nova Scotia and posting these on our website. We welcome your contributions (please contact us at membershipservices@phans.ca).
Tick Borne Diseases
"Tick season off to an 'early and very rapid start' in N.S.: biologist"
Stephanie Tsicos, CTV News, 17 April 2026
Stephanie Tsicos, CTV News, 17 April 2026
Nova Scotia has had the highest rate of Lyme Disease in Canada since the disease became nationally notifiable in 2009. Lyme Disease in Canada
Nearly half of the cases of Lyme Disease in Canada, 2024, were in Nova Scotia.
Government of Canada, Health Infobase, tick-borne disease surveillance
Black legged tick Source: iStock
For more information: Government of Nova Scotia, Public Health, Tick Borne Diseases
Public Health Advocacy
Andrea Hilchie-Pye, President of the Public Health Association of Nova Scotia (PHANS), gave a brief to the Accounts Committee of the Nova Scotia Legislature on Monday, 23 March 2026 regarding the potential impact of the N.S. 2026 Budget on public health. Here is the Press Release.
PHANS handout to Legislative Committee 23 March 2026.pdf
PHANS will continue to advocate for policies that prioritize prevention, equity, and the social determinants of health.
Bulletin Board
PHANS Annual General Meeting (AGM)
September 2026
More information will be posted in the summer of 2026
PHANS Webinar
"Misinformation and Public Health in the Age of Social Media"
Abigail Hanson, 8 April 2026
40th Anniversary of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion
Link to Government of Canada Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion
Link to Oxford Academic 40 Years of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion
The Canadian Census of Population
May 2026
We will extract data from the 2026 Census for our section on Epidemiology & Health Statistics
CPHA Conference 2027
"Public Health 2027"
March 2027, Vancouver, BC
Send us Your Events
We welcome the opportunity to promote activities and events related to Public Health and to the Determinants of Health in Nova Scotia
PHANS Awards
PHANS awards the Public Health Champion Award each year at the PHANS Annual General Meeting (AGM). This is an honour intended to recognize an individual or organization who has demonstrated excellence in leadership, innovation and commitment to improving the health of Nova Scotians. The Marie McCully Collier Population and Public Health Student Award is presented to a student who demonstrates a passion for public health as well as leadership in the field.
Become a Member
Advocate
Collaborate
Grow
Connect
Learn
Anyone with an interest in community health and advocating for health equity in Nova Scotia can join our team. Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community and effect positive change.
There are many benefits to becoming a member including:
- Learning about public health issues in Nova Scotia;
- Networking with people with an interest in public health;
- An opportunity to have a voice in influencing health policy in Nova Scotia.
Membership may be direct with PHANS or conjoint with the Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA). Direct PHANS membership is the least expensive option, but we encourage conjoint membership for those who wish to support CPHA as well. Conjoint PHANS and CHPA membership is available through the CHPA website.