June 13, 2013 – Residents Encouraged to Support Tag Day at Local Retailers on June 14
Peterborough union workers will be out in full force this Friday, June 14 encouraging residents to donate to the Dental Treatment Assistance Fund, the Peterborough and District Labour Council’s (PDLC) charity of choice for this year’s Day of Caring.
“We are proud to support a local cause that does so much to transform people’s lives by helping them access urgent dental care,” said Paul Brown, Coordinator, Labour Programs and Services for the PDLC.
Union workers can be found supporting their community on Friday, June 14 at local Beer Store locations and are inviting Peterborough residents to stop by to help support the Dental Treatment Assistance Fund (DTAF).
Across Canada, United Ways and Labour Councils are hosting tag days to support their communities and to highlight local initiatives that presently require funding. The Peterborough Labour Council decided to support the local cause, DTAF, which is administered by Peterborough Public Health. It helps hundreds of local adults living on low incomes who do not qualify for government assistance access emergency dental services.
“Public health receives at least 15 calls per week from individuals living on low incomes who are suffering from acute dental pain caused by infection or trauma and we often advise that there is nothing we can do to help because they do not qualify for government assistance programs,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health with Peterborough Public Health. “For many, DTAF is their only option.”
Dr. Salvaterra noted that 1 in 5 Ontarians do not visit a dentist because they cannot afford it. DTAF is a key component to the adult community; however the program functions solely on donations. In 2012, a total of 115 people between the ages of 18 and 82 received support from DTAF. The average cost of emergency treatment from the fund was $122 per person.
At Peterborough Public Health, the oral health program offers a range of services for eligible children, youth and adults in our community. For more information, visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca or call 705-743-1000.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
(705) 743-1000, ext. 391
June 12, 2013 – At this time, it is Health Canada’s view that the benefits of Yaz and Yasmin birth control pills continue to outweigh the risks, when used according to Health Canada’s approved labelling instructions. Health Canada has been monitoring the safety of contraceptive pills on an ongoing basis, as it does for all drugs on the market, and is continuing to review the safety of all oral and non-oral hormonal contraceptives, including Yasmin and Yaz. The risk of blood clots with these products is well known, and is included in the drug label. Health Canada has also communicated with healthcare professionals and the public regarding this risk: www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2011/13563a-eng.php
No decision regarding product withdrawal is taken lightly. Health Canada’s approach to drug withdrawal is based on scientific evidence and evaluation of the health risk to the Canadian public. When the benefits associated with a product are determined to no longer outweigh its risks, the decision may be made to withdraw the product from the market.
June 7, 2013 – Location: Hiawatha First Nation
The community is advised that the next meeting of the Board of Health will take place on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 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.
For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
Peterborough Public Health
705-743-1000, ext. 391
June 6, 2013 –
Follow @PCCHU for Beach Water Quality Updates
With the official summer countdown underway, Public Health Inspectors from Peterborough Public Health have begun regular inspections of area public beaches to ensure water quality conditions are safe for the upcoming months.
Peterborough residents are able to check the most recent status of all beaches at any time by visiting www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca or by calling Public Health at 705-743-1000 to ensure the beach they are using meets the requirements for healthy water quality. Residents are also encouraged to follow Public Health on Twitter @PCCHU for beach updates throughout the summer.
Each June marks the start of the routine surveillance program for all public beaches that runs until August. The city beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead are sampled by Public Health Inspectors every business day, and public beaches in the county are sampled at least once a week, except for Chandos Beach and Quarry Bay Beach which are sampled at least once in June, July and August.
Water samples are submitted to the Peterborough Public Health Laboratory for bacteriological analysis. The water samples are tested for Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria, an indicator of fecal contamination in the water. It takes approximately 24 hours for Public Health to receive and analyze the water quality results from the lab.
If the results return with E. coli levels exceeding 100 E. coli cfu/100mL of water the public beach will be “posted”. This means the water is unsafe for recreational use, including swimming. When this happens, Public Health will post signs around the beach area to inform the public not come into contact with the water as it is a potential threat to human health.
The next level of public awareness would be to post the beach as “closed”. This is when a significant risk to human health and safety has been identified. This results when there are such signs of hazardous or infectious material in the water or when there is a blue-green algae bloom. Swimming is not permitted and beach access is restricted or eliminated.
The following beaches will be tested for the 2013 summer months;
City of Peterborough Beaches:
• Beavermead (2011 Ashburnham Drive) • Roger’s Cove (131 Maria Street)
Peterborough County Beaches:
- Chandos Beach (Hwy 620, North Kawartha)
- Curve Lake Lance Wood Park (Whetung St E, Curve Lake)
- Curve Lake Henrys Gumming (Chemong St S, Curve Lake)
- Douro (205 Douro Second Line, Douro-Dummer)
- Ennismore (1053 Ennis Road, Ennismore)
- Jones Beach ( 908 Jones Beach Road, Bridgenorth)
- Hiawatha (1 Lakeshore Rd, Hiawatha)
- Lakefield (100 Hague Boulevard, Lakefield)
- Norwood (12 Belmont St, Norwood)
- Quarry Bay (1986 Northey’s Bay Rd, Woodview)
- Sandy Beach (Lakehurst Road, Curve Lake)
- Selwyn (2251 Birch Island Road, Selwyn)
- Squirrel Creek Conservation Area (2445 Wallace Point Rd, South Monaghan)
- Warsaw Caves (289 Caves Rd, Warsaw)
Though PCCHU will always maintain its surveillance schedule, the following may result in unsafe levels of bacteria between sampling periods:
• Heavy rainfall
• Large numbers of water fowl
• High winds or wave activity
• Large numbers of swimmers
Some things that you are able to do to ensure the water quality remains at a healthy level:
• Do not feed waterfowl
• Do not let children swim in soiled diapers
• Pick up your garbage
•Clean up after your dog
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For further information, please contact:
Mandy Kwan
Public Health Inspector
705-743-1000, ext. 290
June 5, 2013 – Last night the first charges of the season were laid under the City of Peterborough’s bylaw prohibiting smoking in all municipally-owned parks.
Three charges were laid against individuals violating the no smoking bylaw on June 4 by Peterborough Public Health’s Tobacco Enforcement Officer. The fine for smoking in a city park is $305.
The charges were laid because Public Health and City staff received public complaints about outdoor smoking in city parks.
“The City of Peterborough is doing its part of contributing to a smoke-free society. Many communities in Canada and across Ontario have embraced similar restrictions or bans on smoking in public outdoor spaces,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “Eliminating smoking in public outdoor spaces is another move to denormalizing tobacco use, being good role models and preventing our children from starting to use commercial tobacco products. It’s good for everyone’s health.”
“The City’s ban includes city-owned beaches, playgrounds, wading pools, sport fields, and within all city parks. The public’s response has been quite positive,” said Rob Anderson, Recreation Division Coordinator. “We are confident that further promotion of healthy living and compliance with the smoking bylaw will result in fewer charges being laid.”
On May 1, 2012, the final phase of the city’s four-year plan to ban smoking in all city parks came into effect. The no smoking bylaw now covers all 169 city parks and sports fields, with the exception of one park that has a designated smoking area. Healthy living and care for the environment have driven this initiative.
Earlier in the year, the city hired event monitors to attend sporting events to issue warnings and increase awareness about smoke-free parks. City recreation staff also provided all local sporting leagues with information about the new bylaw to share with referees, team officials, and players.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
(705) 743-1000, ext. 391
June 3, 2013 – Trails throughout the City and County of Peterborough were full of cyclists, walkers and outdoor enthusiasts on Saturday, June 1 in celebration of the second annual International Trails Day.
Dozens came out to enjoy the day’s feature event and take part in the first supported ride of the newest section of the Trans Canada Trail stretching between Lang and Hastings.
“Trails offer a wonderful way to explore nature through the urban and rural landscapes of our region,” said Kathy Reid, Coordinator of Communications and Education with Otonabee Conservation. “It’s inspiring to see so many community groups come together to create such an exciting array of family-friendly activities on our trails to promote physical activity in the great outdoors.”
Along with the celebration of the new 40 km round-trip trail between Lang and Hastings, other trails were featured throughout the day. These included B.E.L. Rotary Bridgenorth Trail, Jackson Park Trail, Millbrook Valley Trail, Lakefield Trail, Sawer’s Creek- Scenic River Road Trail, Rotary in East City, and the Robert Johnston EcoForest Trail.
Trail marshals were on hand at each location to assist trail users. International Trails Day offered refreshments and giveaways along the featured trails for all visitors to enjoy.
International Trails Day is an annual celebration of trails to promote trail development, the use of trails and the healthy lifestyle they encourage. It is celebrated each year on the first Saturday in June in several Canadian provinces including Nova Scotia and Manitoba.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence Kathy Reid
Communications Supervisor Coordinator, Communications and Education
Peterborough Public Health Otonabee Conservation
705-743-1000, ext. 391 705-745-5791
June 1, 2013 – Hundreds of local residents joined in today’s Bike & Trails Fest to kick off International Trails Day on June 1 to celebrate the beauty and benefits of outdoor trails.
A number of local dignitaries were also on hand to voice the important role trails play socially, environmentally and economically, including MPP Jeff Leal, Minister of Rural Affairs, Mayor Daryl Bennett, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, and a number of officials representing the County of Peterborough.
“This is a wonderful event that brings together nature, health and the environment by celebrating all that trails do for our community,” said Dr. Salvaterra. “With 95% of our children and youth not meeting the recommended levels of physical activity, trails offer a great way to improve everyone’s health for generations to come.”
Today’s event featured free bike tune-ups, displays from local cycling clubs and other local organizations and businesses that support outdoor recreation and trail development. At 5 p.m. the opening ceremonies took place to officially kick off International Trails Day on June 1 which will feature a number of activities and giveaways on local trails throughout the City and County of Peterborough.
Bike & Trails Fest was co-hosted by the Workplace Shifting Gears program (www.peterboroughmoves.com) and the International Trails Day Festival Committee (www.otonabee.com).
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence Kathy Reid
Communications Supervisor Coordinator, Communications and Education
Peterborough Public Health Otonabee Conservation
705-743-1000, ext. 391 705-745-5791
