Making Health Happen

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.

2007

December

Disposing of Greywater Waste
December 18, 2007
If you live in a rural setting or in a municipality with no sanitary sewers, treatment and disposal of sewage wastewater is most likely your own responsibility. Some knowledge of the requirements for sewage disposal will protect you and your family’s health, the environment and the value of your property. A polluted environment, including surface or ground water, can dramatically lower the value of a property.

Staying Healthy For the Holidays
December 11, 2007
The holidays can be very hectic with lots of family and group activities. Being stressed, not getting enough sleep and close contact with more people increases your risk of picking up germs. Follow these suggestions for a healthier holiday season.

Maintaining Your Septic Tank: Tank Pump-out
December 6, 2007
Over time, sludge will build up in the bottom of the septic tank. If allowed to accumulate, the sludge will eventually flow into the leaching bed and rapidly clog the distribution pipes. Once the pipes become clogged, the wastewater will either seep to the surface of the ground, or worse, back up into your house. Not only can a clogged septic system be hazardous to the environment and to your family’s health, it also represents a very expensive repair bill.

November

Why Should Kids Get The Influenza Vaccine?
November 27, 2007
Influenza affects us all – young and old. Although most people understand the importance of a yearly flu shot for those over the age of 65, many parents overlook the need for a flu shot for their children.

Drugs - Not my Kid!
November 20, 2007
If you’re the parent of a teen, know a teen or are a teen, read on. Parents will certainly recognize many changes as their child moves into adolescence. Challenging boundaries, challenging parents, or just trying to figure out who they are is all part of being a teen. Some will also experiment with alcohol or other drugs. According to the Centre of Addiction and Mental Health, 62.6 % of students in grades 7 an up used alcohol during the past year.

Can You Understand What Your Child is Saying?
November 13, 2007
The ability to communicate is the most important of all human skills. Our ability to speak, listen and relate to others affects the quality of our lives. In Ontario, about 10% of children struggle with basic speech and language skills. They are at risk for social, emotional, behavioural and educational problems.

Are you Breaking the Law?
November 6, 2007
It’s Friday night and you realize you’re out of cigarettes. Not to worry, a short walk to the store and you can get another pack before heading out to the party. Just outside the store, some teens are hanging around. You recognize them from school but they are definitely younger than you. They ask you to buy a pack of Player’s Light. Since that’s the brand you smoke, it doesn’t seem like a big deal. Or is it?

October

Halloween Safety
October 30, 2007
A safe Halloween will make happy, long lasting memories for your family. A few safety tips can help make the most out of the Halloween season.

The Pap Test
October 23, 2007
Regular Pap tests reduce your risk for cancer of the cervix. Every week about 11 Ontario women will get cervical cancer; three will die from it. While the Pap test has been available for over 50 years many women with cancer of the cervix were never tested.

Influenza: Questions and Answers
October 16, 2007
What does the flu mean to you?  Do young, healthy people fall ill from the flu?  How is the flu virus spread?  Why do I need an annual flu vaccine?   When should I receive my annual flu vaccine?

Beat the Influenza Bug!
October 9, 2007
Influenza is serious. The flu kills 1,500 Canadians and results in 75,000 hospital admissions annually! Influenza viruses are not the stomach bugs that cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. There is no such thing as “stomach flu” although children with high fever from influenza will vomit and have diarrhea.

Puppy Love
October 2, 2007
Adolescent relationships are important. They help develop relationship skills, including communication and decision-making. Young love can be powerful and exciting, but adolescent relationships can sometimes be less than ideal.
 

September

Attachment –Nurturing Relationships with Children
September 25, 2007
Attachment is difficult to describe, but usually easy to understand. It is the relationship between parent and child that begins during pregnancy. An expectant mother, supported by her partner, nurtures and protects her unborn baby by consciously and consistently making healthy choices.

Supporting Women to Stop Drinking During Pregnancy
September 18, 2007
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can result in serious, life-long consequences for a child. The majority of women are able to quit drinking when they become pregnant. However, due to a variety of reasons, quitting is not easy for some.

Youth Today ... The Real Picture
September 11, 2007
Asked to describe their community, many people will talk about the location, government and taxes, or perhaps the accessibility to shops and restaurants. Youth Today … The Real Picture, a report to be released mid-September, lets us see our communities through the eyes of youth.

PLAY in Bruce Grey
September 4, 2007
Remember the excitement and adrenaline of playing tag and hide-and-seek with friends?
Children today are less active and have less opportunity to build such memories. We have scheduled and regulated spontaneous active play out of our children’s lives.
 

August

The Choice is Clear
August 28, 2007
Grey and Bruce residents are choosing to go clear and take second-hand smoke outside. As with primary smoking, second-hand smoke can cause disease and death, it hurts everyone breathing it in, especially little ones. Health Canada warns there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke.

School Nutrition Programs
August 21, 2007
Did your child, or a child you know, have breakfast this morning? Children often skip breakfast for a variety of reasons: not hungry in the morning, parents are not at home, eating breakfast may not be the norm, or breakfast is a low priority. Research shows that good nutrition results in better performance in school. The provincial Ministry of Child and Youth Services is helping get students ready to learn through its support for School Nutrition Programs.

Invest in Your Children’s Assets
August 14, 2007
Do you want to increase young people’s assets in your community? Not financial assets, but rather assets that are the personal qualities to promote healthy youth development. They are simple to build. Everyone can do it.

Prevent Gum Disease
August 7, 2007
Do your gums bleed when brushing or flossing your teeth? If so, you’re not alone!

July

Head Lice Aren’t Nice
July 31, 2007
Summer is a busy time for most families and head lice is probably the last thing you want to deal with!  How can parents tell if their child has head lice?  How can parents get rid of head lice?

Beaches
July 24, 2007
Public Health is responsible for monitoring beach water quality including identifying factors that may impact on water conditions. Public beaches in Grey Bruce are as safe for swimming as anywhere in Ontario. However, caution must be taken...

Tetanus Booster for Adults
July 17, 2007
Anyone who likes the outdoors, gardening, animals or participating in sports should know when they last had a tetanus booster. Chances are, if you don’t remember then you are not protected.

Make It a Positive Summer for Your Teen
July 10, 2007
Remember being young and living for the summer. Today’s teens are no different. With the excitement of a summer job, maybe a new license, and so much free time spent just hanging around with friends, the choices for teens can be endless, but so can some of the risks.

Smog
July 3, 2007
A smog alert doesn’t mean you can’t leave your house. However, being prepared can lessen the effects from smog.

June

Booster-Aged Children at Risk
June 26, 2007
Seatbelts are made to fit adults, not children. Without booster use, children 4 to 8 years of age are ten times more likely than babies and toddlers to be hurt or killed in car crashes.

Market and Grocery Food Safety
June 19, 2007
People often forget that the way that we shop has an impact on food safety. We select food from a display refrigerator, and keep our fridge at home ice-cold, but how long does our food languish in the grocery cart and car before we get home?

Fight the Bite! Protect Yourself from West Nile Virus
June 12, 2007
Warm weather has arrived and with it those pesky mosquitoes! Mosquitoes are the source for transmitting West Nile virus (WNv). The chance of infection from a single mosquito bite remains quite low but you can reduce that risk by taking some simple steps.

Smoke Free School Grants
June 5, 2007
All secondary schools in Grey Bruce took part in the Smoke Free Ontario High School Grants program this year. Each school received $1,000 to implement tobacco free activities within their communities.

May

World No Tobacco Day- May 31, 2007
May 29, 2007
Tobacco is the only legal product that kills when used as intended. That is the reason the World Health Organization wants everyone to go smoke free on World No Tobacco Day, May 31. This year’s campaign theme Smoke Free Environment focuses on protecting those most vulnerable to second-hand smoke.

A Community Health Issue: Preterm Labour
May 22, 2007
Preterm labour is a serious health concern. In Ontario, about 1 in 12 babies are born prematurely. The rate is increasing due to multiple births, older women having children and assisted reproduction.

May is Rabies Awareness Month
May 15, 2007
Spring has sprung and with warmer temperatures we’re spending more time outdoors. Whether hiking the Bruce, walking in the park or tending your garden there is a likely chance of coming into contact with an animal. It is also possible you might come into contact with a rabid animal.

Human Powered Active Transportation
May 8, 2007
Motor vehicles are important to many residents of Grey and Bruce. But the next time you head for your vehicle, consider an alternative kind of means of transport – active transportation.

Hooked Any Kids Lately?
May 1, 2007
About 18% of young people, 12 to 18 years, in Grey Bruce smoke daily or occasionally. A parent’s natural reaction is “not my kid” but unfortunately, the parent is often the last to know. Everyone has driven past the front of a high school and observed a large group of students standing out front...

April

The Importance of Play
April 24, 2007
Adults may underestimate or even dismiss the importance of play. However, play is much more important and meaningful than may be given credit.

BODY PIERCING: Know the risks, be a wise consumer!
April 17, 2007
Body piercing has gone mainstream. It is just one way youth and young adults use to express their individuality. However, you need to know there are health risks.

Colorectal Cancer:  What You Should Know!
April 10, 2007
Ontario has one of the highest rates of colorectal cancer in the world. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in Canadian men and women, yet it is one of the most preventable cancers. A simple screening test can save your life.

Bed Bugs are Back!
April 3, 2007
Bed bug infestation is on the rise in Canada. Once thought to be a problem with poor hygiene, bed bugs thrive anywhere there is a blood source, whether a home is clean or dirty. Most people don’t know they have bed bugs in their home until someone is bitten.

March

Know Your Medications
March 27, 2007
How well do you know your pharmacist? How well do you know your medications?

Fifth Annual Turn Off The Screens Challenge
March 20, 2007
It is time again for all students to take up the challenge of the fifth annual Turn Off The Screens Week, April 23-27. Grey Bruce students will try to live without television, video games and computers (except for homework).

TB Anywhere is TB Everywhere
March 13, 2007
World Stop TB Day on March 24 each year recognizes the international health threat of tuberculosis.

Churches Support Health before Pregnancy
March 6, 2007
You plan ahead for school, holidays, marriage and retirement. What about your baby? Parenting begins long before pregnancy or childbirth.

February

When the Stork Doesn’t Bring What’s Expected
February 27, 2007
A baby can bring joy and fulfillment for a family. But, if instead, a new mother feels sad, anxious or numb she may be experiencing Postpartum Depression.

Let’s Kick Butt Together!
February 20, 2007
The 2007 Driven to Quit Challenge is on! Tobacco users have a chance to win a new 2007 Acura CSX or one of seven Sony Widescreen LCD HDTVs if they agree to butt out for the month of March. Quitting smoking isn’t easy, but together we can help to increase your chances of butting out for good! Here’s how.

Talking With Children About Sex?
February 13, 2007
Children today are constantly exposed to sexual messages. As they get older, children naturally have questions about sex, sexuality and healthy relationships. Talking about sex can be difficult and uncomfortable - not only for them, but for you too.

Winter Safety
February 6, 2007
Being active in the winter is an important part of enjoying life in Grey and Bruce. When having fun, it’s also important to play safe and be aware of potential hazards. Here are a few tips to stay safe.

January

Germ Alert! Stop the Spread of Germs
January 30, 2007
Some tips on stopping the spread of germs.

Winter Safety
January 23, 2007
Winter is an exciting time for children. Here are some safety tips for both parents and children to ensure that they all enjoy the winter season…safely!

Healthy Travels – Reduce Your Risks!
January 16, 2007
You select the perfect vacation destination and book your trip, your travel preparations are complete, right?  Not quite, according to The Travel Doctor, Mark Wise. Before travel, Dr. Wise cautions “it is critical that you find out about the medical risks that you might encounter abroad”.

The Truth about Breastfeeding
January 9, 2007
There are many myths that may confuse new mothers about breastfeeding – it is time to dispel these misrepresentations and uncover the truth.

Flu Myths
January 2, 2007
Some people may not get the flu shot based on some unfounded myths about the vaccine. Here are the top three mistaken notions about the flu shot and the real facts.

Archives

• 2006
• 2005
• 2004
• 2003
• 2002