In order to support empirically based planning, policy, and decision-making, CCYHC identified the implementation of a strategy for the development, validation, and uptake of child and youth health indicators as one of its first priorities.

It is widely accepted that the current lack of robust evidence-based indicators and standards severely impedes our ability to evaluate the status of the health of children and youth and the health care they receive. There is currently no consistent methodological basis for national comparative analyses to achieve an optimal level of health and health service delivery for Canadian children and youth.

Evidence-based indicators are essential for identifying health priorities, planning services, allocating resources and evaluating the impact of policies and programs. Research is required to develop and validate meaningful health and health care indicators so that decisions and actions are evidence-based and reflect the unique needs of children and youth. These indicators will:

1. Support greater consistency in the provision of health services for infants, children, youth and families;

2. Monitor and improve access to and quality of care within individual health care organizations and regional authorities;

3. Inform and assist planners, policy and decision makers in addressing future infant, child and youth health resource planning and allocation requirements.

Initiative milestones:

• Establishing Canadian Infant, Child, and Youth Health Indicators
  The Coalition launched the Indicator Program in 2004 and, in collaboration with six expert panels and over 150 members of the child and youth health and health research community from across the country, have developed a strategy for indicator development, validation and uptake to support evidence-based planning, policy and decision-making.
  
  Canadian Child & Youth Health Coalition Indicators Workshop - "Part Deux"
  
  Expert Panel Recommendations: Chronic Conditions / Injury Prevention / Mental Health / Patient Safety / Primary Care / Efficiency
  
  Strategic Pathways Document  CCYHC Indicator Program Strategic Pathways

• Establishing Partnerships
  In October 2005, CCYHC confirmed a partnership with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research - Institute of Human Development, Child, & Youth Health (CIHR-IHDCYH).

• CCYHC CIHR Child and Youth Health Indicators RFA Workshop
  In May 2006, CCYHC and CIHR-IHDCYH organized a Child and Youth Health Indicator Consultation Workshop; experts and key stakeholders came together to develop priority themes and an RFA "Blueprint" for the development and national validation of child and youth health indicators.
  
  W orkshop Proceedings

• In December 2006, CIHR-IHDCYH and the Coalition, in collaboration with 13 other partner organizations, launched a Request for Applications (RFA) to validate and/or develop child and youth health indicators. The purpose of this initiative is to support teams of researchers and decision makers to develop and apply indicators of child and youth health and health care.
  
  CIHR Operating Grant: Partnerships for Child and Youth Health Indicators
  
  Twenty-one applications were received and seven were awarded funding in January 2008. The successful applicant teams are currently conducting research projects of up to 3 years duration on pediatric indicators in thematic areas identified as high priority by CIHR, CCYHC and their partners. 

Click here for moreinformation about the CCYHC CIHR Child and Youth Health Indicators RFA