Module 2

Populations at Risk and Primordial Prevention of VBDs

This module examines how climate change and the social determinants of health contribute to unequal risks for VBDs in Canada, with a focus on identifying populations at heightened vulnerability. Learners will explore how trauma- and violence-informed approaches support engagement with at-risk communities and will review the core functions of public health along with key legislative, policy, and program requirements related to VBDs. The module also introduces surveillance for Lyme disease and demonstrates how community vulnerability and climate adaptation assessments guide prevention planning. Finally, learners will define primordial prevention and upstream strategies to reduce VBD risks among vulnerable populations. 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, learners will be able to: 

• Describe populations at an increased risk for VBDs and how the determinants of health affect vulnerability to the health impacts of climate change, including VBDs.
• Identify how to use the principles of trauma- and violence-informed approaches when addressing VBDs with populations at risk.
• Describe the core functions of public health and identify public health requirements related to VBDs in legislation, policies, and programs in Canada.
• Outline how surveillance for Lyme disease is conducted at the national, provincial, and territorial levels. 
• Explain how community and vulnerability and adaptation assessments can be used to inform the prevention of VBDs. 
• Define primordial prevention and explain how these strategies can be used to reduce the risk of VBDs in vulnerable populations.