There are 36 Health Units in Ontario as defined by the Health Protection and Promotion Act. Each health unit is served by a board of health and a medical officer of health. Boards are made up of municipal members, either elected officials or community representatives, and provincial appointees where requested.
Approximately two-thirds of Ontario's boards are autonomus bodies created to provide public health services. The remaining one-third are part of regional municipal councils. Both forms have the same function within their communities.
