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The Peterborough Public Health is issuing another Heat Alert for the City and County of Peterborough, and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations.  The alert is issued for September 1 and 2 and will remain in effect until further notice.

This Heat Alert is being issued as the daytime temperatures are forecast to be at least 29 C for both days while the humidex is expected to reach 37 on Tuesday, September 1 and 36 on Wednesday, September 2.  Depending on changes to the weather forecast over the next few days, the Heat Alert may be elevated to a Heat Warning or lifted.

It is best to remain cool, and out of the sun especially if you have a chronic illness. If this is not possible then ensure you take the proper precautionary measures to protect yourself from the sun. This includes consistently applying sunscreen to exposed areas every two hours and wearing a hat and sunglasses.  Also, remember to drink plenty of fluids, particularly water.

“Drinking plenty of water and replenishing your fluids is key to staying safe in the heat,” says Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health.  “It is important to remember to drink water before you get thirsty, and not wait until you become dehydrated.”

If your home does not have air conditioning then you can visit a public building such as library, community centre or shopping centre.  In addition, avoid cooking in an oven to keep the temperature in your home down.  Closing your blinds is another effective method of keeping the sun out, and keeping the temperature down.

Extreme heat is often accompanied by poor air quality.  The Public Health would like to encourage residents to monitor the Air Quality Health Index found as a link on the Ministry of the Environment & Climate Change’s webpage and plan outdoor activities accordingly www.airqualityontario.com.

Public, air conditioned facilities such as malls, libraries and community centres are available to city and county residents seeking a place to cool off.  Residents are advised to phone in advance to determine hours of operation.

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For further information, please contact:
Wanda Tonus
Public Health Inspector
705-743-1000, ext. 285

August 21, 2015 – Same-Sex Couples, LGBT Residents, Families, Older Adults, Wanted!

The Public Health is seeking volunteer models to participate in a professional outdoor photoshoot on Wednesday, August 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at a central city location.  The goal is to reflect the wonderful diversity of our community with an emphasis on photos that depict healthy eating and physical activity.  This call is open to all residents of Curve Lake First Nation, Hiawatha First Nation, Peterborough City and County, and no previous modelling experience is required.  The Public Health is especially reaching out to same-sex couples/families, LGBT residents, new Canadians, and older adults to ensure they are reflected in future public health materials.

The photos will be promoting a variety of topics such as active living in our community and nutrition, including:

  • Picnicking (snacks will be provided)
  • Playing badminton
  • Cycling with proper helmets
  • Children crossing the street with a crossing guard
  • Playing hopscotch
  • Interacting with a community garden
  • Playing soccer
  • Practicing sun safety (wearing hats and sunglasses, applying sun screen, etc.)

The photos will be used by Public Health for a variety of online and print materials such as promotional brochures, reports, Public Health website (www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca), community displays, and presentations.  This photoshoot is being coordinated by Public Health’s Communications Team, and all participants will be asked to sign consent forms.  For more information, or to become involved in the photoshoot please contact Jordan Pegutter at jpegutter@peterboroughpublichealth.ca or call 705-743-1000 extension 296.

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

August 19, 2015 – With the return of cooler temperatures and less humid air, Peterborough Public Health is lifting the Heat Alert issued on Sunday, August 16, 2015.

The Public Health has adopted a series of extreme heat thresholds designed to advise the public, health professionals and community service providers on appropriate measures they can take to reduce the health effects of hot, humid and smoggy weather. These advisories, comprised of a Heat Alert, Heat Warning and Heat Emergency, are issued when a hot or humid air mass is forecast and weather related health effects may occur.

While the Heat Alert has been lifted, residents are reminded to take precautions in hot weather, including drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated, keeping their homes cool and staying out of the heat whenever possible.  The Public Health will continue to monitor the weather forecasts throughout the summer and issue heat alerts, warnings or emergencies when forecasted.  Further information about staying healthy in extreme heat conditions and Public Health’s Heat Alert and Response System can be found on www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

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

August 18, 2015 – Residents Invited to Book an Ontario Health Study Appointment Online and Contribute to a Healthier Future

The Ontario Health Study (OHS) recently announced it will return to Peterborough for a second Peterborough Study Centre, following a successful run last year. The centre will be open from September 14th – 17th at the Peterborough Lions Community Centre. By visiting the Peterborough Study Centre, participants can contribute to a long-term health research study while learning more about their own health.

Peterborough area residents aged 35-69 years are invited to visit the Peterborough Study Centre to complete a short questionnaire and provide a blood sample, which will enable researchers to better understand what affects health and quality of life. This may help improve the prevention and diagnosis of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. A visit to the Peterborough Study Centre may also allow participants to learn something new about their health. Following their visit each participant receives a comprehensive blood analysis report of where their personal health falls within the reference range. Participants who have already completed the Ontario Health Study questionnaire online will receive an email invitation to take part.

Getting involved in the OHS is a simple, straightforward process. New participants just need to go to www.ontariohealthstudy.ca/Peterborough, register and then take the survey, which takes about an hour. The OHS follows strict privacy practices that govern how personal information is collected, who can see it and how it can be used.

The OHS has been particularly successful in Peterborough; the previous Study Centre in August of 2014 was fully booked with a waiting list for appointments. This time around, the Study has added additional capacity and will accept walk-ins, though making an appointment is recommended to reduce any potential wait times. The Study has set an ambitious goal of 200 participants over the Centre’s 4 day run, offering early morning and evening appointments to participants to accommodate as many participants as possible.

The Peterborough Study Centre is supported by Peterborough Public Health. “We are excited to have the Study return to Peterborough,” says Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “We encourage Peterborough residents to take advantage of this important opportunity to make a lasting contribution to health research.”

More participants are needed and all residents between ages 35 and 69 are encouraged to sign up and help spread the word about this important health research initiative. The Study thanks its past Peterborough Study Centre participants, and though the Study currently only requires one blood sample per participant, these participants are encouraged to help spread the word about the Study to friends, family and co-workers.

More than 230,000 Ontarians have helped advance the public health of future generations right from their computers by taking the Ontario Health Study’s online questionnaire. The OHS continues to recruit participants to provide important health data and samples. This information will help researchers understand the risk factors and causes of chronic diseases and to develop new prevention strategies and treatments.

“The information provided in the OHS questionnaire by participants gives us an overall snapshot of the health of Ontarians as well as their exposure to common risk factors,” says Dr. Philip Awadalla, Executive Scientific Director of the OHS. “Combining questionnaire responses with a blood sample provided at the Peterborough Study Centre allows us to get a more detailed look at their health. These data allow researchers to draw comprehensive conclusions about the health of the overall population.”

The OHS is just one piece of an even larger national effort called the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project (CPTP). The CPTP consists of the OHS and four other regional studies: The BC Generations Project, Alberta’s Tomorrow Project, Quebec’s CARTaGENE and the Atlantic PATH. Nationally, the CPTP has more than 300,000 participants aged 35 to 69 and more than 125,000 have provided a blood sample.

Peterborough Study Centre Details and hours of operation:
Peterborough Lions Community Centre
347 Burnham Street, Peterborough, Ontario K9H 1T5. Parking is free.

Monday, September 14: 12pm-8pm
Tuesday, September 15: 8am-8pm
Wednesday, September 16: 8am-8pm
Thursday, September 17: 8am-3pm

How to get started:

  • Visit ontariohealthstudy.ca/Peterborough to register for the Study and complete the online questionnaire. It only takes about an hour. You have six weeks to complete the questionnaire from the time you start it;
  • Schedule an appointment using the online booking tool and visit the Peterborough Study Centre.
  • If you have any questions you can speak to an OHS staff member by emailing info@ontariohealthstudy.ca or calling 1-866-606-0686.

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For further information, please contact:

Jocelyn Garrett                                                                 Brittany Cadence

Ontario Health Study                                                      Peterborough Public Health

Jocelyn.garrett@ontariohealthstudy.ca                       705-743-1000, ext. 391

647-259-8936 or 905-825-4295

August 14, 2015- The Peterborough Public Health is issuing another Heat Alert for the City and County of Peterborough, and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations.  The alert is issued for Sunday, August 16, and Monday, August 17 and will remain in effect until further notice.

Weather-Alert-aThis Heat Alert is being issued as the daytime temperatures are forecast to be at least 30 C for both days while the humidex is expected to reach 36 Sunday, August 16 and 38 on Monday, August 17. Depending on changes to the weather forecast over the next few days, the Heat Alert may be elevated to a Heat Warning or lifted.

It is best to remain cool, and out of the sun especially if you have a chronic illness. If this is not possible then ensure you take the proper precautionary measures to protect yourself from the sun. This includes consistently applying sunscreen to exposed areas every two hours and wearing a hat and sunglasses. Also, remember to drink plenty of fluids, particularly water.

“Drinking plenty of water and replenishing your fluids is key to staying safe in the heat,” says Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “It is important to remember to drink water before you get thirsty, and not wait until you become dehydrated.”

If your home does not have air conditioning then you can visit a public building such as library, community centre or shopping centre. In addition, avoid cooking in an oven to keep the temperature in your home down. Closing your blinds is another effective method of keeping the sun out, and keeping the temperature down.

Extreme heat is often accompanied by poor air quality.  The Public Health would like to encourage residents to monitor the Air Quality Health Index found as a link on the Ministry of the Environment & Climate Change’s webpage and plan outdoor activities accordingly www.airqualityontario.com.

Public, air conditioned facilities such as malls, libraries and community centres are available to city and county residents seeking a place to cool off. Residents are advised to phone in advance to determine hours of operation.

-30-

For further information, please contact:

Wanda Tonus
Public Health Inspector
705-743-1000