Alberta: A Health System Profile

Alberta: A Health System Profile provides the first comprehensive and detailed overview of the economic, political, population health, program and service delivery aspects of health care in Alberta and the resulting health outcomes.

Alberta: A Health System Profile provides the first detailed description of Alberta’s health care system and the underpinning political and social forces that have shaped it. Due to the significant wealth resulting from government revenues generated through the energy sector, Alberta has been able to develop an extensive public health and health care infrastructure.

Alberta has used its financial resources to attract health professionals by offering the highest levels of financial compensation in Canada. However, although it spends more per capita than other Canadian jurisdictions, Alberta’s health care system costs and health outcomes performance are mediocre compared to many other Canadian jurisdictions. This unexpected outcome is the result of the unique interplay of economic and political forces within Alberta’s political economy.

Through an examination of Alberta’s political and economic history, and using research on the structures and services provided, Alberta: A Health Systems Profile provides a detailed description of the programs and services comprising Alberta’s health care system.