News Release                            For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                    October 10, 2008

Public Health Surveys Exempt from National Do Not Call List

The Grey Bruce’s public health telephone survey is exempt from the new National Do Not Call List. The Institute for Social Research at York University conducts the Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS) survey on behalf of the Grey Bruce Health Unit. Each month 80 randomly selected adults (aged 18 and over) from across Grey Bruce participate in this telephone health survey. Survey responses provide the Health Unit with valuable insight into the attitudes and behaviours of area residents on a variety of public health issues and topics.  

“We are relieved that RRFSS is exempt from the new Do Not Call List registry. Surveys such as this are essential for evaluating and planning our programs and we hope that Grey Bruce residents continue to participate in our survey.” says Alanna Leffley, Epidemiologist with the Grey Bruce Health Unit. The National Do Not Call List contains a number of exemptions, including surveys conducted by research firms when the call does not involve the sale of a product or service.

Since the spring of 2002, the information gathered by this survey has allowed Public Health to provide quality programs and services tailored to the needs of Grey Bruce residents. The Grey Bruce Health Unit would like to thank all of those who have already participated in this survey and ask individuals, who may be called in the future, to help by participating in this telephone survey. Their input provides valuable information on important public health matters.

For additional information on the Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System, please refer to

www.rrfss.ca or contact Alanna Leffley, Epidemiologist, 519-376-9420 ext 1260.

For more information:

Alanna Leffley

Epidemiologist

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 1260