Making Health Happen - Archives 2005

Weekly, the Public Health Unit submits articles to numerous newspapers in Grey and Bruce Counties under the banner Making Health Happen. Public health nurses and public health inspectors write the articles, covering public health issues of interest to the general public.

2005

December

Emergency Planning – Car Kit
December 27, 2005
A winter emergency car kit can prevent a bad ice storm or snowstorm from turning into a crisis situation. Winter storms and cold kill more than 100 Canadians every year, more than the total number of people killed by hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, lightning and extreme heat combined.

Last Minute Christmas Gifts for Older Adults
December 20, 2005
Finding meaningful gifts for older adults can be a challenge. Consider gifts that help keep them safe and independent.

Where Are Your Choices Taking You?
December 13, 2005
Ever wish you could go back in time? Have you ever made a decision that you later regretted? Making good choices can be hard; it becomes even harder when alcohol or other drugs cloud decisions.

Tips for Hurried Families During the Holidays
December 6, 2005
The holiday season is a time of tradition and good cheer, but the busy pace can lead to children’s over-excitement. What can you do?  Try these tips to help your family slow down and enjoy the spirit of the season.

November

Power Failure & Food Safety
November 29, 2005
Winter storms create potential for power failures especially in rural areas. If power goes out an immediate concern should be the safety of refrigerated or frozen foods.

Colds and Influenza… How do I tell the difference?
November 22, 2005
With all the talk about viruses and flu shots, it’s easy to confuse influenza and the common cold.
Colds and influenza (flu for short) are both respiratory infections caused by viruses but the differences are significant.

HIV/AIDS:  What Can You Do to Change the World?
November 15, 2005
The Grey Bruce Health Unit in partnership with the M”Wikwedong Native Cultural Resource Centre and the AIDS Committee of Guelph examines the world-wide AIDS pandemic with a screening of the documentary film A Closer Walk. Narrated by actors Glenn Close and Will Smith, A Closer Walk is the first film to depict humankind’s confrontation with the global AIDS pandemic.

Immunizing Young Children Against Flu Is The Best Protection
November 8, 2005
By now, Ontarians have become very familiar with the free flu shot program, which is available to those aged six-months or older who live, work or attend school in Ontario.

Booster Seat Safety
November 1, 2005
As of 2004, only 28% of Canadian children age four to nine regularly used booster seats. To protect these children, new legislation is now in effect that requires booster seats for children who are too big for a child car seat but too small to be protected by a seat belt.

October

Halloween Tricks to Prevent Scary Teeth
October 25, 2005
Halloween can be a frightening time for parents monitoring the amount of candy their children eat, but the candy trick-or-treaters collect on Halloween doesn’t have to result in tooth decay.

Nurturing The Adolescent Body, Mind & Soul
October 18, 2005
Parents, educators and those who work closely with teens can find it difficult to – STRIKE A BALANCE between empowering youth, and at the same time establishing appropriate boundaries. This theme is explored in the 9th Annual Adolescent Workshop “Nurturing the Adolescent Body, Mind & Soul”.

Paying  Down Your Health Debt
October 11, 2005
Most of us would agree that good health is more valuable than anything else. However many of us struggle to meet the demands of busy work and personal lives and ignore our health.  There are some simple steps you can take to enhance your health and incorporate health practices into your everyday life and into your workplace:

Early Literacy
October 4, 2005
Providing a strong foundation for literacy for a child is the cornerstone of ensuring the child’s educational success in the future. Is it possible to nurture a child’s literacy skills?

September

RABIES: Protecting Your Pets and Yourself Against Rabies
September 27, 2005
Rabies is a deadly disease of the central nervous system that affects humans and other mammals.  Grey and Bruce counties continue to experience one of the highest incidences of rabies in the province of Ontario. 

Water – Pure and Simple
September 20, 2005
What do you need to survive? Food, computer, ipod, special friend or car are all items that might be named depending on the age of the respondent. However, all of us would certainly die if we were deprived of water for longer than a few days.

Maintaining A Septic System
September 13, 2005
Following a few simple guidelines will protect you and extend the life of your septic system.  Daily household actions can have lasting and costly effects on the life and health of your septic system and leach field and the environment around you.

Working Together To Prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
September 6, 2005
The effects from alcohol related birth defects are life-long and therefore support for families and caregivers of a child with FASD are extremely important. There is no cure for FASD and the key to treatment is early diagnosis and support for families dealing with FASD children.

August

Influenza Pandemic Planning
August 30, 2005
Public Health and the communities that we serve are increasingly aware of the risk of a world wide communicable disease pandemic. Ontario experienced the SARS outbreak in 2002, which heightened our awareness.  Evidence shows that emergency plans improve our ability to respond.

Back to School Immunization:  Is Your Child Protected?
August 23, 2005
 “Back to school” means a flurry of activity and new schedules.  It’s also a time to check your child’s immunization status.  Has everyone in your family received all of their needles on time according to their age?  Does anyone need a booster?

The Good Food Box
August 16, 2005
After working with the Grey-Bruce Good Food Box program for over a year, I am amazed by the number of people who have not yet heard of this wonderful opportunity, or who do not understand how it works. The Good Food Box program aims to make fresh produce easy and affordable for everyone.

Alcohol and Boating: Risky Business in More Ways than One
August 9, 2005
Boating season is upon us in Grey and Bruce Counties.  Boats can offer many opportunities for fun with family and friends, but boating becomes dangerous when alcohol is put into the mix. 

Breastfeeding: Good for the Community
August 2, 2005
Can you think of ten reasons why breastfeeding is good for your baby and family?  How about why breastfeeding is good for the community?  Infant feeding is a personal or family choice, and many people are not aware of the ways in which breastfeeding benefits the community.

July

Fight the Bite! Protect Yourself Against West Nile Virus Infection
July 26, 2005
Warm weather has arrived and with it those pesky mosquitoes! When dealing with West Nile Virus, prevention is your best defence. The chance of a person becoming infected from a single mosquito bite remains quite low, but you can reduce that risk by following some simple steps.

Hot Tubs / Spas - Water Quality and Safety
July 19, 2005
Don't lose friends over your hot tub!  If you operate a hot tub, do not expose your family and friends to conditions that can result in mild to serious skin infection or possible respiratory illness.

Playground Safety
July 12, 2005
How often is your child at the playground in the summer? It is important to make sure children stay safe. More than 700 children will be hospitalized for serious injuries after falling from playground equipment this summer.

Avoiding Bedtime Nightmares!
July 5, 2005
Are you dealing with bedtime challenges?  Many children protest going to bed, but the following tips may help improve or eliminate the tug-of-war that often accompanies bedtime.

June

Cavities in a Can
June 28, 2005
Dental decay is on the rise among children and adolescents, and a major contributing factor is their increased consumption of pop. However, the high amount of sugar in soft drinks isn’t the only contributing factor to decay.

Key time for checking child’s development is 18 months of age
June 21, 2005
As the parent of an 18-month-old, you’re enjoying a child who is becoming more mobile and vocal.  All children develop at a different pace and if you wonder about your toddler, check his or her skills with a developmental screen.

Fight the Bite! Reduce Mosquitoes Around Your Home
June 14, 2005
Summer is here and so are the mosquitoes! Not only are mosquitoes a nuisance but they can also transmit West Nile Virus. Here are some tips to help keep mosquitoes away from your backyard.

Sun Safety for Everyone
June 7, 2005
Since 1990, the number of skin cancer cases has increased by two-thirds.  To stay safe in the sun the Canadian Dermatology Association has these seven tips for sun protection.

May

Key to Butting Out For Good – Professionals Can Help
May 31, 2005
As efforts to reduce tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke are gaining momentum, society’s tolerance for smoking is diminishing.  However, smokers may feel caught between their addiction and their desire to feel better and improve the quality of their life.

Public Health GIS
May 24, 2005
Within Grey and Bruce counties there are a number of organizations involved, either directly or indirectly, with improving and maintaining the health of our communities. Geographic information system development within our region creates the potential for improved communications.

“Don’t Be Faked Out By Fake ID”
May 17, 2005
Today’s youth are faced with many choices and challenges as they make their way to adulthood.  An issue that has been identified in the community is youth under the age of 19 using fake identification (ID) to buy alcohol and cigarettes. 

Get In Gear for the Bike/Walk Challenge
May 10, 2005
Are you finding it difficult to fit activity into your day? We know that we need more activity, but how do we fit it into our busy schedules? The 3rd Annual Bike/Walk Challenge is a great opportunity to change your behaviour and be healthier. You could even win some great prizes by just walking or biking to work.

Emergency Preparedness Week: May 1 - 7, 2005
May 3, 2005
Each year, thousands of Canadian families face emergency situations that could change their lives. An emergency situation can happen anywhere and at anytime, so we all need to be prepared to deal with these situations at the personal, community, provincial, and federal levels.

April

Is Manure Safe for your Garden?
April 26, 2005
Publicity about illnesses due to E.coli 0157:H7 has made people more aware of the potential risk of foodborne illness from manure contamination. If you use fresh manure in the garden, there is a small risk that pathogens may contaminate garden vegetables.

Home Renovations and Sewage Systems
April 19, 2005
The following information could be of interest to you if your home or business is serviced by a private sewage system, such as a septic tank system, and you are now planning an addition or renovation.

Abuse During Pregnancy is a Sad Reality
April 12, 2005
Pregnancy is intended to be a time of great joy and anticipation.  New life is growing and developing, and parents are preparing for all of the changes that this new baby will bring.  For up to one in five women, however, the experience of pregnancy precipitates the life-altering experience of intimate partner abuse.  It is a sad reality.

Turning Off The Screens – No Hockey Playoffs This Year!
April 5, 2005
Having no NHL playoffs this year has made it easier for kids to Turn Off The Screens.  This annual event for kids’ health, now in its 3rd year, has had a tough time competing in prior years.  Not so this, time with more than 35 schools and 11 Early Years Centres participating.

March

Antibacterial Soaps and Products
March 29, 2005
Consumers are being inundated with products for the home that promise to protect you and your family from bacteria, viruses and other nastiness that can make you sick.  There is good scientific evidence that triclosan promotes the emergence of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics and, with the continued widespread use of triclosan in the community, antibiotic resistance is becoming increasingly problematic. 

Meningitis Immunization Campaign
March 22, 2005
Parents hope that their children will grow up to be healthy. Imagine that your healthy child is active in school sports, has a co-op placement, works part-time and volunteers. Imagine that your healthy and active son or daughter comes into contact with meningococcal bacteria and dies within hours or days of hospitalization.

Food Safety and Power Failures
March 15, 2005
The safe handling and preparation of food is always important in preventing food poisonings. However, a power failure can result in putting our food at risk. Review these tips to prevent food poisoning during an outage.

Go the Healthy Way… Eat Well, Live Well and Feel Great!
March 8, 2005
A healthy body weight has a positive impact on overall health and wellness. It is associated with a decreased risk for chronic diseases including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. March is Nutrition Month across Canada.

Serial Monogamy Puts Youth at Risk
March 1, 2005
Sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates among Canadian youth remain unacceptably high.  Recent trends show chlamydia rates continue to rise, the most common reportable STI in Grey-Bruce.  Chlamydia rates in Grey-Bruce were more than four times higher in 2004 compared to 1997. 

February

School Suspensions Due to Incomplete Immunization Records
February 22, 2005
In the event that an outbreak of any vaccine-preventable disease occurs, the Public Health Unit must know which students are not protected by immunization.  Failure to submit immunization records to Public Health could result in students being suspended from school.

Common Courtesy Can Help Prevent Colds And Flu
February 15, 2005
During cold and influenza season, one person with bad illness etiquette can make hundreds of others sick.  Medical experts suspect that the SARS epidemic spread to Canada and other countries when a Chinese physician, unaware he was infected, coughed in a crowded hotel elevator in Hong Kong. 

Let’s Get Active One Step at a Time!
February 8, 2005
People need to be active to be healthy.  Our modern lifestyle and all of its conveniences have made us sedentary – and that’s dangerous for our health.  Sitting in front of televisions or computers, riding in cars for short trips, and using elevators instead of stairs all contribute to our inactivity.

Every BODY needs and Every BODY deserves Sexual Health Information 
February 1, 2005
Just as with cardiovascular health, people need to understand how they can maximize their sexual and reproductive health and well being. According to the Council of Ministries of Education, knowledge about sexual health has declined in Canada since 1989. It's time we changed that.

January

Can You Still Breastfeed When You Return to Work or School? 
January 25, 2005
Many breastfeeding mothers are surprised to learn that breastfeeding does not have to end upon their return to work or school. 

Free Meningitis Vaccination for Children and Youth 
January 18, 2005
A vaccine that protects children and youth against meningitis serogroup C is now available free of charge to certain age groups in Ontario.  A resurgence of meningitis C in Canada beginning in 2000 makes this vaccination an important consideration for parents.

The Truth About Breastfeeding 
January 11, 2005
There are many myths that surround the issue of insufficient milk supply – it is time to dispel such myths and uncover the truth.

Get Out of the Cold and into a Mustang! 
January 4, 2005
If you are tired of being left out in the cold because you smoke then the Ontario Quit Smoking 2005 Contest is a great incentive to help you kick the habit.  How about revving up the New Year in a 2005 Ford Mustang!

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