June 11. 2015 – Community Invited to Free Event on June 15 to Learn About Ways to Impact Health
On Monday, June 15 all residents are invited to a community event that will present research that shows despite great community work, people still cannot afford basics such as housing and food. Speakers will also raise awareness about a growing national movement to institute a Basic Income Guarantee (BIG) to significantly reduce poverty. The event is hosted by Basic Income Peterborough Network and takes place Monday, June 15 at 6:30 p.m. in Bagnani Hall at Traill College, 310 London Street, Peterborough.
“We know health is not determined simply by genetics, but there are several factors including income, that impact health,” explains Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “Those who live in poverty have worse health outcomes, become sick more often and have increased visits to the emergency room. An annual basic income could help reverse this trend.”
Carleton University professor Dr. Peter Andrée and Mary Anne Martin, a PhD candidate from Trent University, will present research including a case study that examined the tensions between food access and housing security in Peterborough. It found that despite Peterborough’s best efforts to address the effects of poverty, food and housing insecurity continues to increase. Also presenting is Rob Rainer, an advocate for Basic Income Guarantee, who will discuss the results of a pilot program of guaranteed income in Dauphin, Manitoba during the 1970’s. This trial resulted in better health outcomes, fewer emergency room visits, and more young people staying in school and graduating from high school.
This event is a partnership between Peterborough Public Health, Nourishing Communities: Sustainable Local Food Systems Research Group (with funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council), Carleton University and Basic Income Peterborough Network.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence, Communications Supervisor
705-743-1000, ext. 391
June 10, 2015 – Community Members Encouraged to Attend Good Jobs Summit on June 16
The Peterborough Public Health and United Way Peterborough & District are teaming up to host a Good Jobs Summit for all community residents. The rise of precarious employment in Peterborough is a growing issue, and this free event will bring together local businesses, labour representatives and leading researchers to discuss this issue. The event will be held at the Peterborough Naval Association, 24 Whitlaw Road, on Tuesday, June 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The summit will begin with presentations from Michelynn Lafleche of United Way Toronto, Sandra Dueck of the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce and Kaylie Tiessen from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. They will discuss the current thinking and research regarding what constitutes a “good job”. There will also be a panel of workers who will discuss this issue as it relates to their experiences in the workforce. Following the presentations, participants will be invited to have group discussions to answer three questions: What are the characteristics of a good job? What are the barriers to getting a good job? What realistic actions need to be taken locally?
“Income is the greatest social determinant of health, so we’re hoping to engage the community in this important discussion so we can work collectively towards solutions,” explained Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Rosana Salvaterra. “Good jobs equal good health. This means better quality jobs for local residents will create a healthier community for all.”
“The workplace is changing. New sectors and industries are emerging with many of the jobs being insecure and uncertain,” says Jim Russell, CEO United Way Peterborough & District. “We need to find a way to minimize the widespread growth of precarious employment and the negative effects it has on workers, families and our community. Together, we must define this call to action.”
The Good Jobs Summit is part of a national movement, which began in Toronto. A light supper will be served, and free child care will also be available. If you need child care for the event, or have dietary restrictions, please contact Joanne at 705-743-1000, ext. 316 by June 11. To sign up, please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca and the Good Jobs Summit link on the home page will direct you to the Eventbrite registration page.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
Peterborough Public Health
705-743-1000, ext. 391
or
Lisa Kouri
Director, Community Engagement
United Way of Peterborough & District
705-742-8839, ext. 24
June 5, 2015 – The community is advised that the next meeting of the Board of Health will take place on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at 4:45 p.m. in the Council Chambers 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.
June 5, 2015 – Parents advised some students need new or additional shots
The Peterborough Public Health is sending letters to hundreds of local parents advising them that their child’s immunization records need to be updated.
These “Request for Immunization Information” letters list any outstanding vaccinations students must receive to avoid suspension from school, and more importantly, to ensure they are protected from several serious diseases.
“In most cases students have received the proper vaccinations, however Public Health wasn’t notified by the parents so we can update our records,” explained Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “We hope this letter serves as a reminder for parents to update their child’s immunizations to avoid suspensions.”
The Public Health has been reviewing student immunization records following recent changes to the Immunization of School Pupils’ Act that requires additional doses of certain vaccines as well as doses of new vaccines.
Parents who received a “Request for Immunization Information” letter can simply call Public Health at 705-743-1000 and let a public health nurse know the details required for their child. Parents can also fax a copy of their child’s yellow immunization card to Public Health at 705-743-2897. Parents whose children require the mandatory vaccine can book an appointment with their healthcare provider, or Public Health which offers a routine immunization clinic.
For further information about required vaccines or clinics, please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca .
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
705-743-1000, ext. 391
June 4, 2015 – Public Health Encourages Diners to View Food Safety Inspection Results Online
The Peterborough Public Health would like to remind residents and visitors that food safety inspection results are available online at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca. The Public Health launched a food safety inspection disclosure system on their website in 2014, and this system allows the public to view local food premises inspection results conveniently online. Reports are available from January 2014 and are updated regularly.
Public health inspectors conduct over 2,000 food premises inspections, re-inspections and complaint visits each year. This online tool creates a new layer of accountability and transparency for food premises in the Peterborough area as inspection results can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca|My Home & Environment|My Community|Food Safety Inspection Disclosures.
Food safety inspections are based on seven different food safety categories, including: temperature control, utensil sanitation, food handler hygiene and general maintenance. Moderate and high risk premises are also required to have at least one Certified Food Handler onsite at all times in a supervisory position.
“The food safety disclosure program’s main goal is to reduce the risks of food borne illness in the community,” explained Atul Jain, Manager of Inspection Services. “This is accomplished by providing the general public with easy access to information about inspection outcomes allowing them to make informed decisions about where to dine. It also ensures owners and operators of food premises are in compliance with food safety regulations.”
The Peterborough Public Health inspects over 1,100 food premises per year. Premises include restaurants, supermarkets, butcher shops, cafeterias and kitchens in daycares. Inspection certificates indicating public health compliance are also provided for operators to display on the premises.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
705-743-1000, ext. 391
June 1, 2015 -Local Farms Provide Local Food to Help Local Schools Raise Funds
As Local Food Week gets underway, Public Health is tru
mpeting a unique fundraising program for schools that promotes Ontario grown food.
Now in its third year in Ontario, the Fresh from the Farm fundraiser recently expanded to the Peterborough area. The program enables students to sell locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables, instead of other food-related fundraising campaigns that traditionally offer less healthy and more processed food options. Registration for the program opened April 1, and will close October 1, with produce being delivered in November.
“This is certainly a distinct and innovative way for students to fundraise,” explains Luisa Magalhaes, Registered Dietician. “Rather than selling chocolate bars, cookie dough or fudge, students can now sell healthy food for their school fundraising campaign. Not only is this a healthier alternative, as all of us could eat more fruits and vegetables, it also reinforces the healthy eating messages students are learning in school.”
So far the provincial pilot has raised $72,000 for schools that receive 40 per cent of the total proceeds, as well as $150,000 going back to local farmers. Complete with a teacher kit, the fundraiser provides opportunities for students to learn about agriculture and healthy food choices outside of the classroom.
This program was designed to conform to the Government of Ontario’s Local Food Strategy and the School Food & Beverage Policy. Students who eat a healthy diet are more likely to be successful in school, and through this program the government is promoting healthier lifestyles. To register your school, or for more information, visit www.freshfromthefarm.ca.
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For further information, please contact:
Luisa Magalhaes, RD, Public Health Nutritionist
705-743-1000, ext. 233
June 1, 2015 – Public Health Kicks off Beach Water Quality Testing Today –
Follow @PCCHU on Twitter for Regular Updates
With the official summer countdown underway, Public Health Inspectors from Peterborough Public Health will begin beach sampling for this year’s swimming season on Monday, June 1. Public beaches in the city and county will be regularly tested to ensure water quality conditions are safe for recreational use.
Local residents will be able to check the most recent status of public beaches at any time by visiting www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca or by calling Public Health at 705-743-1000 during office hours. Residents are also encouraged to follow Public Health on Twitter @PCCHU for beach updates throughout the summer.
The routine surveillance program for all public beaches runs from June 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, Quarry Bay Beach, and White’s Beach which are sampled at least once in June, July and August.
Though PCCHU will always maintain its surveillance schedule, the following may result in unsafe levels of bacteria between sampling periods:
- Heavy rainfall High winds or wave activity
- Large numbers of water fowl Large numbers of swimmers
Some things that you are able to do to ensure the water quality remains safe:
- Do not feed waterfowl
- Do not let children swim in soiled diapers
- Pick up your garbage
- Clean up after your dog
Water samples will be submitted to the Peterborough Public Health Ontario Laboratory for bacteriological analysis. The water samples are going to be tested for 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 to 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. In these situations, swimming is not permitted and beach access is restricted or eliminated.
The following beaches will be tested for the 2015 summer months:
City of Peterborough Beaches:
• Beavermead (2011 Ashburnham Drive) • Roger’s Cove (131 Maria Street)
Peterborough County Beaches
- Buckhorn Beach ( John St., Buckhorn)
- Chandos Beach (Hwy 620, North Kawartha)
- Crowe’s Line Beach (Crowe’s Line Rd., Harvey)
- 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)
- White’s Beach (Clearview Dr, Galway
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
705-743-1000, ext. 391
