Table 2 Site 1 characteristics

Site 1 was a provincial-level network that focused on population health, i.e. the social determinants of health and health inequities. The group acted as an informal think-tank, bringing together high level officials from various PH-related organisations (health, research and allied sectors) in the province to have strategic discussions around the inequities agenda, and exchange knowledge and information about what was happening in member organisations around this issue. This network began in 2006 in response to the recognition that there needed to be an explicit place to discuss population-based approaches to health. Because this group was self-directed, volunteer-based and existed as an entity apart from any particular organisation, it had a large amount of autonomy in determining its direction and priorities.

As of December 2010, its membership consisted of 28 members from various PH-related organisations in the province, including representation from government, planning bodies, alliances, universities and non-governmental agencies. Membership was somewhat fluid, as various people from other sectors were periodically invited into the network.