Integrating a population health approach into healthcare service delivery and decision making.

Most regional health authorities include "improving population health and health equity" in their mission, vision, or priority statements, yet few regional health authorities or hospitals have been shown to devote the sufficient time and resources to make significant progress toward this aim. Health system leaders want to act on this priority, but many barriers and challenges conspire to limit their effectiveness. Improving population health requires both population-based and individual-level initiatives aimed at preventing disease and improving health equity. Practical examples for integrating a population health approach into the health system are presented for healthcare leaders.