Our member centres throughout Ontario provide community-based primary health, health promotion and illness prevention services to tens of thousands of Ontarians in over 70 communities. Our approach to community health encompasses the broad factors that determine health such as education, employment, income, social support, environment and housing. Health centres provide accessible primary health care services in northern and rural communities, in communities where many people have a high risk of ill health or to individuals and families with significant access issues, such as their ethnic status, racial makeup or mother tongue. Health centres serve all people within their catchment area and have particular expertise in serving people who have difficulty accessing other health services.
Health centres are an integral part of the provincial health services system.
Individual health centres have a significant role in providing essential services in many communities. They are often the main delivery mechanism for core community-based health services offering a continuum of services which promote individual and community ownership over health. AOHC advocates on behalf of the health centre model of care and provides support to health centres through developing position papers, acting as an information clearinghouse, providing training opportunities and managing information technology. In addition, the Association provides a group benefits plans, support to centres embarking on an accreditation program, and resources for special projects. AOHC maintains formal and informal networks with allied health organizations.