Challenges in accessing primary care have escalated over the past three years. Hundreds of thousands of Albertans do not have a family physician. Without access to primary care, chronic conditions worsen and new concerns may not be caught until they are more difficult – or even impossible – to treat.

Over the past three years, Alberta’s drug poisoning deaths have exploded, affecting every area of the province. A combination of factors, including changes to the illegal drug supply and challenges in accessing services, are contributing to a situation that has claimed far too many lives and left too many families and communities grieving.

First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in Alberta have higher rates of chronic illness, mental health challenges and addictions due to the impacts of colonization and ongoing health inequities. They live shorter lives, continue to experience racism and culturally unsafe care in our health care system and are disproportionately impacted by the opioid poisoning crisis.

Rural communities across Alberta are experiencing an unprecedented health workforce crisis that is forcing rural physicians to take on even more or reduce services provided in their communities. Poor work-life balance and shrinking services make it even harder to attract new physicians to rural and remote communities.

Children and youth were profoundly impacted by pandemic disruptions. Many children who were struggling before the pandemic saw their physical and mental health worsen, and new data indicates that these issues linger.

The shortage of physicians, nurses and other health professionals is the number one challenge facing our health care system. With ongoing shortages, we will continue to struggle to deliver the care Albertans need, when and where they need it.

Across Canada, the impact of the pandemic has highlighted pressures and inadequacies of facility-based continuing care. Staff struggled to provide a basic or consistent level of care while families were unable to visit or assist their loved ones.