Canada's Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)

Background: The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is a health communications tool that provides information to help Canadians protect thier health from air pollution, while maintaining healthy, active lifestyles.

Program background: The AQHI communicates local air pollution levels on a simple scale from 1 to 10. 1 posing a low risk to human health, with 10 posing a high risk. The number on the scale is accompanying by 2 sets of health messages, one for the general population and one specifically for the at-risk population (those with respiratory and cardiovascular disease, young children, seniors, etc.) The messages provide advice on how to protect one's health while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The messages are communicated to the public through multiple innovate channels (on-line, through mobile Apps, television, media, etc.) We have also developed a number of public outreach campaigns to reach our target audience.

Evaluation Methods and Results: The AQHI has successfully been implemented in all 10 Canadian provinces with great success. The program has been evaluated by internal government bodies with excellent results.

Conclusions: The AQHI is a unique health information tool that required multi jurisdictional and partner collaboration. Since 2007 we have learned many essential lessons on how to effectively communicate health information to diverse target audiences.

Implications for research and/or practice:Through this presnetation, we will share best practices and unique communications tacts and techniques that have made this program a success. We will also share examples of unique research that keeps this program scientifically relevant.