December 13, 2013 – The Peterborough Public Health has issued a Frostbite Alert for Saturday evening (December 14) because of a forecasted wind chill of -30.

Extreme cold events are a potentially significant health risk and can have a severe impact on the health of vulnerable populations including infants, the elderly, people with circulatory problems, and the marginally housed. 

In order to protect the health of people in Peterborough County and City and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, Public Health advises local residents to take the following precautions:

• Check face and extremities frequently for signs of frostbite. Exposed skin can freeze in as little as 10 to 30 minutes.
• Consider re-scheduling outdoor recreational activities tonight. There is a serious risk of hypothermia if outdoors for long periods.
• Check on the elderly or people with disabilities living alone.

Cold related illnesses include:

Hypothermia: 
Symptoms/signs include: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling/uncoordinated
movements, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness.

Frostbite:          
Symptoms/signs include: white/greyish skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness.

Increases in other health problems can also be seen, especially for those with other chronic medical conditions such as heart conditions.

Further information about the health risks of extreme cold and Public Health’s Extreme Cold Response Plan can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca under “My Home & Environment” by clicking on “Extreme Weather – Cold”.

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

December 12, 2013 – The Peterborough Public Health has issued a Frostbite Alert for Thursday evening (December 12) because of a forecasted wind chill of -29.

Extreme cold events are a potentially significant health risk and can have a severe impact on the health of vulnerable populations including infants, the elderly, people with circulatory problems, and the marginally housed.

In order to protect the health of people in Peterborough County and City and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, Public Health advises local residents to take the following precautions:

• Check face and extremities frequently for signs of frostbite. Exposed skin can freeze in as little as 10 to 30 minutes.
• Consider re-scheduling outdoor recreational activities tonight. There is a serious risk of hypothermia if outdoors for long periods.
• Check on the elderly or people with disabilities living alone.

Cold related illnesses include:

Hypothermia:

Symptoms/signs include: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling/uncoordinated
movements, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness.

Frostbite:
Symptoms/signs include: white/greyish skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness.

Increases in other health problems can also be seen, especially for those with other chronic medical conditions such as heart conditions.                                                                                                                                                                                                              

The following heated public facilities are available to local residents seeking a place to warm up:

• Shelters – Brock Mission and the Youth Emergency Shelter.
• Lighthouse Community Drop-In Centre – St. John’s Anglican Church, Brock St. (daytime drop-in shelter)

Further information about the health risks of extreme cold and Public Health’s Extreme Cold Response Plan can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca under “My Home & Environment” by clicking on “Extreme Weather – Cold”.

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

December 12, 2013 – 2013 Oral Health Status Report Highlights Need for Better Access to Dental Care for Low-Income Residents

Last night the Peterborough County-City Board of Health learned that crude rates* for local Emergency Department (ED) visits for oral health problems are 65% greater than provincial rates. Young adults, aged 20 to 29 years accounted for the greatest proportion of ED visits.

“It’s disturbing to see this increased strain on our emergency hospital services, but more importantly, it tells us we have a problem with many residents possibly suffering unnecessarily and turning to the Emergency Department for urgent help,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health upon the release of Peterborough Public Health’s 2013 Oral Health Status Report.  “We now know that one-third of local residents do not have dental insurance. Over half of our seniors have no dental insurance and only 65% of young adults are covered. This report confirms what public health and social service agencies see on a daily basis – that the lack of affordable dental care is contributing to poorer overall health in our community.”

Oral health is an integral part of overall health and well-being and it has been shown that poor oral health may be associated with some major systematic disease such as diabetes and heart disease.  In addition, dental diseases can severely affect one’s quality of life by causing considerable pain and discomfort as well as interfering with normal activities such as social interactions, work and school tasks. Children who experience dental decay early in life are shown to lag behind others in terms of growth and learning abilities.

Oral diseases are mostly preventable.  However, once such conditions develop, they impose significant direct and indirect costs on individuals as well as society.  For instance, it has been estimated that in 2009 approximately 40 million hours of school and work were lost due to dental conditions in Canada.

Other highlights from the report include:

• Abscesses and toothaches were the most common reason for visits to the ED
• Approximately three-quarters of junior kindergarten students are cavity-free
• In 2009/2010, three quarters of Peterborough residents reported that they had visited the dentist in the past 12 months
• One in six Peterborough residents have had a tooth removed by a dentist in the last 12 months and more than half of those are due to decay or gum disease
• The most common reason for not visiting a dentist in the past three years was cost
• One-quarter of people in Peterborough do not brush their teeth twice or more daily

Given the findings of this report, the following actions are recommended as priorities for the Peterborough County-City Board of Health and its partners:

• Promote and support policies and provisions for continued access to optimally fluoridated community drinking water;
• Maintain, and expand where possible, the current level of data collection concerning oral health;
• Continue to remove barriers (such as financial eligibility thresholds) to accessing dental services including operating the Community Dental Health Centre and the Mobile Dental Health Centre; and
• Work in partnership with community champions to maintain the emergency dental fund, and develop health promotional materials and increase the profile of oral health importance in Peterborough.

The Public Health conducts annual dental screening of school children to assess their oral health status and advise parents of programs available to provide urgent dental care.  The Public Health also runs a Community Dental Health Centre in downtown Peterborough and a Mobile Dental Health Centre throughout the county to provide dental services to eligible clients receiving social assistance.

A copy of the report can be found on Public Health’s website at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca in the About Us section under “Plans and Reports”.

*Note:  Crude rate is the total number of events relative to the total population (per 100,000) during a specified period of time.

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For further information, please contact:

Sarah Tanner
Oral Health Supervisor
(705) 743-1000, ext. 207

December 9, 2013 – Include Books on Your Holiday Shopping List to Boost Children’s Speech and Language Skills

Local residents can turn a page on the usual holiday gift-giving ideas by including the printed word for children on their shopping lists.

Reading books that are interesting, engaging and age-appropriate can be a great way for adults and children to spend quality time together. Reading helps to improve children’s speech and language skills, according to Peterborough Public Health.

“Books are a great stocking stuffer or gift item to put under the tree,” says Leisa Baker, a Public Health Nurse with Public Health. “For a low-tech item, books can be high-impact when it comes to improving children’s communication skills and nurturing their love of reading.”

In Ontario, it is estimated one in ten preschool children has a communication delay. Reading with a child can head off potential problems, since it stimulates speech and language development as adults share new words and meanings. This, she notes, provides an essential building block for success in school.

Baker’s advice for wrapping up the ideal book for the holiday season is simple: “Be sure it is age-appropriate, and something that your child will want to pick up and read.” Giving a child the choice to pick his or her own book can also add to the fun and excitement about a new book for the holidays.  Gift certificates to a local bookstore can spur children to choose a book that they are more likely to read.

If children are dreaming about high-tech gadgets this holiday season, families may want to consider an electronic book reader to fulfill gift expectations – and encourage reading.  If costs are an obstacle to gift-giving, taking a child to the local library over the holidays and getting him or her to sign up for a library card can be a more affordable strategy.  Baker adds, “It can give them independence and ownership to what they want to read, as well as introduce them to a world of books that’s available at their fingertips.”

For local residents who have questions about ways to encourage reading, or who want to find out more about their child’s speech and language skills, visit www.kidtalk.on.ca or call Public Health at 705-743-1000.

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence
Communications Officer
(705) 743-1000, ext. 391

December 6, 2013 – Location: Peterborough City Hall, General Committee Room 

The community is advised that the next meeting of the Board of Health will take place on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at 4:45 p.m. in the General Committee Room at Peterborough City Hall, 500 George St. North.

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

December 4, 2013 – Public Health Activates Extreme Cold Response Plan

With the colder winter months ahead, Peterborough Public Health has activated its Extreme Cold Response Plan (ECRP) to advise residents on the best way to protect their health when temperatures plummet.

“Cold weather injuries, such as frostbite and hypothermia, are preventable,” says Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “Most healthy people can tolerate a short period of cold weather if dry and properly attired. Our plan is designed to advise those who are the most vulnerable, suffer from cardiovascular disease and are at the highest risk of cold weather injuries how to protect themselves.”

Dr. Salvaterra notes that vulnerable populations in our communities include the elderly, infants (under one year), people with a history of cardiovascular disease such as heart attacks and strokes and mental disabilities, and people who are homeless or marginally housed.  She added that since 2003 there have been 64 visits to the emergency department due to exposure from excessive cold, and that the hospital sees 6-7 people each year for this reason.

Cold weather, combined with wind, can cause serious injuries or even death. The Public Health monitors the forecasted weather conditions from December 1 to April 1. The ECRP defines a series of cold weather thresholds that trigger Public Health to notify the general public, healthcare providers and community service providers of appropriate measures they can take to reduce the risk of cold weather injuries for themselves and the vulnerable populations they serve. Notifications of extreme cold will be posted on www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca and issued to the media and stakeholder groups when the forecasted temperature or wind chill may result in an increased risk of frostbite.

The Public Health ECRP has three levels of notification:

1. Frostbite Alert
2. Frostbite Warning
3. Cold Weather Emergency

Public health messages as well as actions taken by Public Health will vary depending on the level of notification, as described below:

Level 1: Frostbite Alert

A Level 1 Frostbite Alert is issued when meteorologists forecast a temperature of -27?C to -38?C or a wind chill of -27 to -38. This level of notification reminds residents to: cover unprotected skin; avoid prolonged outdoor exposure; drink warm fluids; watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia; check on neighbours; and maintain a warm indoor environment (ideally 20?C or warmer).

Level 2: Frostbite Warning

A Level 2 Frostbite Warning is issued when meteorologists forecast a temperature between

-39?C and -47?C or a wind chill of -39 to -47. This level of notification reminds residents of the core messages above in addition to: reminding children and the elderly to stay indoors; advising the general public to reduce time spent outdoors; and advising the public to check their faces and extremities frequently for signs of frostbite.

Level 3: Cold Weather Emergency

A Level 3 Cold Weather Emergency is issued when meteorologists forecast a temperature of

-48?C or colder or a wind chill of -48 or colder OR when the temperature is below -27?C or a wind chill below -27 accompanied by a contributing risk factor such as a power outage, or critical infrastructure failure. This level of notification reminds residents of all the core messages above in addition to: requesting that residents stay indoors; ensuring vulnerable individuals are in a warm, safe environment; and advising the public to check their faces and extremities frequently for signs of frostbite. Further information about Public Health’s ECRP is available on www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca under the section for “My Environment”.

The Public Health recognizes that other community organizations may have developed their own internal policies and procedures for dealing with extreme cold for the population they are serving (i.e. school boards, and day care providers). Community agencies and partners that would like direct notification from Public Health in the event of an extreme cold alert should contact Public Health’s Communications Supervisor at 705-743-1000, ext. 391.

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For further information, please contact:

Donna Churipuy
Manager, Environmental Health programs,
705-743-1000, ext. 218

December 2, 2013 – Wouldurather Contest Launches Today To Help Young Adults Kick the Habit

Young adults aged 18-29 who want to quit smoking can now get free nicotine replacement therapy (patch or gum) through the WouldURather contest that launched today.

“This is a great contest designed to help young smokers wherever they are in their quitting journey,” said Mary Pat Fasken, Public Health Nurse with Peterborough Public Health.  “There are rewards for those who commit to simply limit their smoking, and significant support for those who decide to quit for good by providing eligible participants with free nicotine patches or gun to maximize their chances of success.”  Mrs. Fasken noted that in Peterborough, about 286 deaths every year are caused by tobacco use.

To register you must be an Ontario resident between the ages of 18 and 29.  Contestants select one of the following challenges:

Quit For Good: Daily smokers pledge to be completely smoke-free for 8 weeks.  Eligible smokers can receive 8 weeks of nicotine replacement therapy delivered right to their doorstep.

Keep The Count: Daily smokers agree to halve their tobacco consumption for 6 weeks.

Party Without The Smoke: Any smoker, but especially social smokers, agree to abstain from smoking when drinking alcohol for 6 weeks.

Don’t Start & Win: Non-smokers and ex-smokers pledge to remain smoke-free.

All contestants register with a “buddy,” and receive motivational emails from Leave The Pack Behind throughout the contest period. Contestants can win up to $2,500.

Visit www.wouldurather.ca for more information and to register. Further details about the contest are available by visiting http://www.leavethepackbehind.org/contest_faq.php

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For further information, please contact:

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

December 2, 2013 – Dr. Rosana Salvaterra Recognized for Outstanding Service on the OCFP Board of Directors

The Peterborough Public Health is proud to announce that the Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP) bestowed the Award of Excellence to Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health at a special ceremony last night in Toronto.

“We are extremely proud of Dr. Salvaterra’s accomplishments, and are thrilled to see this recognition from her medical peers,” said David Watton, Chair of the Peterborough County-City Board of Health.  “Her talents have not only made a difference to public health locally but at the provincial level as well through her leadership with the Ontario College of Family Physicians.”

Dr. Salvaterra received this award because of her outstanding service to the Ontario College of Family Physicians as a member of the OCFP Board of Directors. Every year approximately 17 Awards of Excellence are handed out at the Annual Scientific Assembly of the OCFP.  The winners are nominated by their peers in recognition for contributions to their patients, their communities and to family medicine in general.

“Dr. Rosana Salvaterra has been a valuable member of the OCFP Board of Directors for 3 years,” says Dr. Jonathan Kerr, President. “Our Board of Directors represents 12,000 family physicians in Ontario – physicians working in a variety of different settings and with different challenges and areas of focus. To best serve our membership, the OCFP Board needs a diversity of experiences and perspectives – Dr. Salvaterra brought with her a population health and public health lens, which added an important dimension to our discussions.”

In addition to her role on the OCFP Board, she was a valuable member of the Poverty Committee working on issues of equity and social determinants of health since 2010, and also served on the Environmental Health Committee and Planning and Policy Development Committee.

Dr Salvaterra continues to serve as practicing physician in Public Health’s Sexual Health Clinic, as well as leading the organization as its Medical Officer of Health.

The OCFP is the voice of family medicine in Ontario representing more than 12,000 family physicians providing patient care in remote, rural, suburban and urban communities throughout Ontario. Through education, leadership and advocacy, the OCFP strives for high standards of medical care and education in family medicine. It is the provincial Chapter of the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

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For further information, please contact:

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