The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has announced a $3 million investment to enhance access to primary care in Canada. Despite ongoing efforts to strengthen the health system, many Canadians still face challenges in accessing basic health care, with 17% of adults and 11% of children and youth lacking a regular health care provider in 2024. This gap places additional strain on emergency departments and contributes to inequities in health outcomes across the country.
The funding will support the Canadian Primary Care Research Consortium (CPCRC), a national network of researchers, clinicians, decision makers, and patients, as well as primary care teams participating in Care Forward, a pan-Canadian movement coordinated by Healthcare Excellence Canada. By backing both initiatives, the investment aims to accelerate evidence-based improvements in primary care, ensuring that innovative approaches are implemented effectively and translate into better care for Canadians.
The initiative focuses on strengthening the implementation of primary care innovations to improve access, generating real-time evidence on the impact of new care models, and supporting the adoption of successful approaches nationwide. Together, CIHR, Healthcare Excellence Canada, and CPCRC are working to identify what works best, where, and for whom, enabling more Canadians to receive timely, high-quality primary care.
This funding is part of the PRIME (Primary Care Reimagined through Impact, Mobilization & Engagement) Rapid Response opportunity, reflecting CIHR’s commitment to strengthening health systems through research. Care Forward provides programs and resources to help health care teams address challenges and implement meaningful, lasting improvements in care.
The Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, emphasized that evidence-backed primary care solutions are essential for improving health outcomes and access across the country. Dr. Paul Hébert, President of CIHR, highlighted the role of research and partnerships in closing gaps in care, while Jennifer Zelmer, President and CEO of Healthcare Excellence Canada, noted that Care Forward supports collaboration among primary and community care teams to expand access and deliver care where and when it is needed.
