September 30, 2015 – Nourish is launching its Food Series with a talk by Dr. Valerie Tarasuk titled Chew on This:  The Cost of Food Insecurity.

In Peterborough, 1 in 4 households with children under 18 years of age experience food insecurity.

People with severe food insecurity have double the health care costs.

Limited Incomes are the root cause of poverty.

IT’S TIME FOR A NEW APPROACH.

Tuesday October 6, 2015 – 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Peterborough Lions Centre, 347 Burnham Street.

Join us in marking the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and World Food Day 2015 with this engaging discussion on the true cost of food insecurity in our region.

September 25, 2015 – Medical Officer of Health and PCCHU Staff Excited for Public Health to Join Downtown Community in November

Today officials from Peterborough Public Health announced the details of their plans to bring public health services and programs downtown when it moves into the first three floors of Jackson Square at 185 King St. in November 2015.

“Residents will also find it much easier to use our programs and services in one central location, and enjoy the convenience of accessing other health and social services nearby,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health.  “Joining the downtown core also brings attention to the important role public health plays in building stronger communities and neighbourhoods through partnership, innovation, advocacy, and action.”

Starting this November, all programs and services currently delivered at Public Health’s Hospital Dr. and O’Carroll Ave. locations will move to Jackson Square. The Public Health’s Community Dental Health Centre remains located nearby at Peterborough Square on George Street.  In addition to the many health promotion, inspection and policy planning activities, the following front-line services will be offered at Jackson Square:

• Sexual health clinic
• Routine immunization clinic
• Travel health clinic
• Vaccine records and immunization consultation
• Vaccine pick up for healthcare providers
• Prenatal classes
• Nutrition workshops
• Food handler training courses
• Septic/sewage disposal permits
• Quitting smoking information
• Health hazards complaints and inquiries

On hand were a number of local dignitaries, including MPP Jeff Leal whose stalwart efforts at the provincial level ensured the success of Public Health’s move.  “I want to take the opportunity to thank Peterborough Public Health, the County of Peterborough, the City of Peterborough and AON Inc. as partners in this project. We have been working cooperatively over the past number of years to achieve this result. This announcement will bring important County and City Health Services to the downtown core of Peterborough.”

The Public Health financed the move by successfully negotiating additional one-time funding of $1,798,300 from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) and by selling its property at 185 King Street. The Public Health’s municipal stakeholders, including the City and County of Peterborough, and Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations, also contributed a total of $599,433 in one-time funding towards the new building space.  The MOHLTC and municipal stakeholders also agreed to increase Public Health’s annual operating costs to accommodate payments on a $3.5 million mortgage, a loan backed by the City and County of Peterborough.

Renovations at Jackson Square are well underway to create the office spaces and meeting rooms.  A new feature of Public Health’s building not funded by government sources will be the creation of a commercial-quality Community Kitchen on the second floor. A fundraising campaign to develop this unique facility will be launched in the coming weeks.  The Public Health is planning to host a Community Open House in the Spring of 2016 to provide local residents and partners a chance to tour the new facilities.

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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
705-743-1000, ext. 391

September 23, 2015 – Expert Prenatal Advice and Newborn Parenting Tips!

Expectant parents and their families are invited to a fun and informative night out to attend the Prenatal Health Fair hosted by Peterborough Public Health at the Holiday Inn on Monday, September 28, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

This FREE must–attend evening of resource support and information on “everything pregnancy and baby” is open to anyone with an interest in learning about how best to prepare for having a baby, and about the supports available in the Peterborough area.  The Prenatal Health Fair features interactive displays and demonstrations on a wide variety of topics such as nutrition for baby and mom, becoming a parent, baby’s development, and much more.

Car seat experts from the newly-formed Peterborough and Area Car Seat Committee will share tips and answer questions about how to safely buckle up your baby, a massage therapist will demonstrate infant massage techniques, a chiropractor will recommend ways to prevent back pain in pregnancy and hospital staff will share the many ways they provide support to get breastfeeding off to a good start.  Fathers-to-be won’t want to miss trying on the “Empathy Belly” and visiting the fathering display.  You might even win the door prize!

For more details, please call Kris Hazlitt at Peterborough Public Health at (705) 743-1000, ext. 254.

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
705-743-1000, ext. 391

September 14, 2015 – To view the Board of Health meeting summary for the September 9, 2015 meeting click the image below:

September 14, 2015 – Public Health Encourages Residents to Participate to Improve Our Knowledge of Local Population Health Status

Today the Ontario Health Study opened its second Peterborough Study Centre in two years at the Lion’s Community Centre to take blood samples from September 14-18.

“So far more than 90 residents have signed up, and we’re hoping to attract twice that amount to the Study Centre so the local data pool is as robust as possible,” said Brittany Cadence, Communications Supervisor at Peterborough Public Health. “The Ontario Health Study is producing solid research that will greatly improve our understanding of local health trends if we can recruit enough participants. The Public Health is keen to repeat the high turnout levels we saw last year when the OHS came to Peterborough.”

Peterborough area residents aged 35-69 years are encouraged to visit the OHS’s Peterborough Study Centre to complete a short questionnaire and provide a blood sample, which will enable researchers to better understand what affects health and quality of life. This may help improve the prevention and diagnosis of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. A visit to the Ontario Health Study Centre may also allow participants to learn something new about their health. Following their visit each participant receives a comprehensive blood analysis report of where their personal health falls within the reference range.

“The OHS is unique because it is following a large cohort of adults over a long period of time,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health.  “This means it able to identify risks as well as protective factors for chronic diseases, including cancer.”

The Ontario Health Study Centre will run from Monday, September 14 to Thursday, September 17 at the Peterborough Lions Community Centre located in East City on 347 Burnham Street.  Flexible appointment times are available during the day and in the evening.  If you are aged 35 to 69 please register for an appointment. To do so, or for more information about the Ontario Health Study call 1-866-606-0686 or visit www.ontariohealthstudy.ca/peterborough .

Getting involved in the OHS is a simple, straightforward process. New participants just need to go to www.ontariohealthstudy.ca/Peterborough, register and then take the survey, which takes about an hour. The OHS follows strict privacy practices that govern how personal information is collected, who can see it and how it can be used.

In order to donate a blood sample you must first have filled out the OHS survey. In order to register, or learn about the survey please visit ontariohealthstudy.ca.

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
705-743-1000, ext. 391

September 9, 2015 – The Peterborough Public Health’s Mobile Dental Health Centre will be out on the road again this September with a few stops scheduled in the City and County of Peterborough.  Dental staff will be on hand to perform check-ups, cleanings, fluoride treatments, fillings and extractions – all available at no cost to eligible residents.

“The Mobile Dental Health Centre is a great way for us to reach more people, and make an impact on people’s access to dental health services,” explains Sarah Tanner, Oral Health Program Supervisor.  “Offering services to community members in a non-traditional manner is just another way Public Health strives to serve the area.”

The fully equipped Mobile Dental Health Centre ensures eligible residents in rural areas of the county have access to dental services.  With two dental chairs, where patients will be treated by either a dentist, or a registered dental hygienist, the vehicle offers a modern and professional environment, and is fully accessible.

Schedule:

Thursday, September 17 – Walmart on Chemong Road (dental hygienist available)
Saturday, September 19 – Kawartha Participation Project on Towerhill Road (dentist available)
Saturday, September 26 – Walmart on Lansdowne Street (dentist available)

The Mobile Dental Health Centre has appointments available on these dates between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

To find out if you are eligible for treatment, at no cost to you, or to book an appointment please call 705-748-2230, text 705-868-5171 or email dental@peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
705-743-1000, ext. 391

September 8, 2015- Location: Hiawatha First Nation

The community is advised that the next meeting of the Board of Health will take place on Wednesday, September 9, 2019 at 4:45 p.m. in the Lower Hall, Administration Building, 123 Paudash St., Hiawatha First Nation.

To download the agenda and the online board package, please visit:

http://www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/about-us/about-us-2/board-of-health/meeting-agendas

The meeting is open to the community and members of the media.

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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
705-743-1000, ext. 391

September 8, 2015 – With the return of cooler temperatures and less humid air, Peterborough Public Health is lifting the Heat Alert issued on Saturday, September 5, 2015.

The Public Health has adopted a series of extreme heat thresholds designed to advise the public, health professionals and community service providers on appropriate measures they can take to reduce the health effects of hot, humid and smoggy weather. These advisories, comprised of a Heat Alert, Heat Warning and Heat Emergency, are issued when a hot or humid air mass is forecast and weather related health effects may occur.

While the Heat Alert has been lifted, residents are reminded to take precautions in hot weather, including drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated, keeping their homes cool and staying out of the heat whenever possible.  The Public Health will continue to monitor the weather forecasts throughout the summer and issue heat alerts, warnings or emergencies when forecasted.  Further information about staying healthy in extreme heat conditions and Public Health’s Heat Alert and Response System can be found on www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
705-743-1000, ext. 391

September 4, 2015 –  Today Peterborough Public Health is lifting the Heat Alert issued on August 31 due to slightly lower temperatures, but another Heat Alert will take effect on the Labour Day weekend for the City and County of Peterborough, and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations.  This fifth alert of the season is issued for September 5, 6 and 7 and will remain in effect until further notice.

This Heat Alert is being issued as the daytime humidex is expected to reach 37 on Saturday, September 5, and 38 on both Sunday, September 6 and Monday, September 7. Depending on changes to the weather forecast over the next few days, the Heat Alert may be elevated to a Heat Warning or lifted.

It is best to remain cool, and out of the sun especially if you have a chronic illness. If this is not possible then ensure you take the proper precautionary measures to protect yourself from the sun. This includes consistently applying sunscreen to exposed areas every two hours and wearing a hat and sunglasses. Also, remember to drink plenty of fluids, particularly water.

“Drinking plenty of water and replenishing your fluids is key to staying safe in the heat,” says Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “It is important to remember to drink water before you get thirsty, and not wait until you become dehydrated.”

If your home does not have air conditioning then you can visit a public building such as library, community centre or shopping centre. In addition, avoid cooking in an oven to keep the temperature in your home down. Closing your blinds is another effective method of keeping the sun out, and keeping the temperature down.

Extreme heat is often accompanied by poor air quality.  The Public Health would like to encourage residents to monitor the Air Quality Health Index found as a link on the Ministry of the Environment & Climate Change’s webpage and plan outdoor activities accordingly www.airqualityontario.com.

Public, air conditioned facilities such as malls, libraries and community centres are available to city and county residents seeking a place to cool off. Residents are advised to phone in advance to determine hours of operation.

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For further information, please contact:

Wanda Tonus, Public Health Inspector

705-743-1000, ext. 285