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February 23, 2017 –  Expert Prenatal Advice and Newborn Parenting Tips!

Screen Shot 02-23-17 at 09.07 AMExpectant parents and their families are invited to a fun and informative night out to attend the Prenatal Health Fair hosted by Peterborough Public Health at the Holiday Inn on Monday, March 6, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

This FREE must–attend evening of resources, support and information on “everything pregnancy and baby” is open to anyone with an interest in learning how best to prepare for having a baby, and what’s available in the Peterborough area.  The Prenatal Health Fair features interactive displays and demonstrations on a wide variety of topics such as nutrition for baby and mom, becoming a parent, baby’s development, and much more.

Car seat experts from the Peterborough and Area Car Seat Committee will share tips and answer questions about how to safely buckle up your baby, a massage therapist will demonstrate infant massage techniques, a public health nurse will discuss tips for sleep success, and hospital staff will share the many ways they provide support to get families off to a good start.  Fathers-to-be won’t want to miss trying on the “Empathy Belly” and visiting the fathering display.  You might even win the door prize of a gift card to shop for baby at Lansdowne Place!

For more details, please call Kris Hazlitt at the Peterborough Public Health at (705) 743-1000, ext. 254.

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence
Communications Manager
705-743-1000, ext. 391

February 16, 2017 –  Families Encouraged to Give Voice to Literacy Skills by Marking World Read Aloud Day on February 16

Sounds like it’s a good day to read aloud and share stories with your child.

That’s the message Peterborough Public Health is sending to local families on World Read Aloud Day, which is being marked today (Thursday, February 16). The global awareness day celebrates the power of words and the importance of supporting literacy skills in young children.

“Literacy is crucial for a child’s emotional and physical well-being, as well as future success,” says Leisa Baker, a Public Health Nurse with Peterborough Public Health. “Reading aloud supports literacy skills by helping children learn new words, understand story themes, and improve listening skills.”

To mark World Read Aloud Day in their community, local families, educators, child-care providers and others can get connected and find out activities by visiting the special website (www.litworld.org/wrad) set aside to mark the day. Baker also provides a few suggestions on how adults can create a powerful and memorable read aloud experience with children.

“Read the story beforehand, so you are familiar with it and can stop to ask questions of your child to spur interest and engagement in the plot,” she says. “Be animated too, by changing your voice during the read aloud to match the expressions of the characters and emotions of the story. This will help to bring the text to life!”

Using different voices for different characters can also help children recognize the dialogue in the story, and better understand a character’s traits, Baker adds.

To further support literacy skills in children, area residents can visit Kid Talk (www.kidtalk.on.ca), an online portal supported by the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit, Peterborough Public Health, Five Counties Children Centre and the Northumberland Child Development Centre. People concerned about a child’s speech skills can also call Peterborough Public Health at 705-743-1000 and speak to a Public Health Nurse.

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For further information, please contact:
Leisa Baker, Public Health Nurse
705-743-1000, ext. 312

February 15, 2017 – To view the meeting summary for the February 11, 2017 Board of Health meeting click the image below:

170211 Board of Health Meeting Summary – February

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February 15, 2017 – Peterborough Immigration Partnership Response to Quebec City Mosque Shooting

February 13, 2017 –
Photo Opportunity February 13, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. at Mather & Bell Pharmacy

Police, healthcare and public health partners are encouraging the community to use Drug Awareness Week as a time to have serious conversations about substance use and abuse.

More info here.

February 6, 2017 – Location: J.K. Edwards Board Room, Peterborough Public Health,

Jackson Square, 185 King St., Third Floor

Media and the community are advised that the next Board of Health meeting will take place on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 9:00 a.m.

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

This meeting is open to the community and members of the media.  Guests are asked to use the buzzer located on the wall to the right of the main front doors to alert Peterborough Public Health staff when they arrive.  The board room is located on the third floor of Jackson Square, 185 King St. Free parking is available after 6 p.m. on the street or across the road at the King St. Parkade.

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

February 1, 2017 – All Kids and Families Invited to Celebrate Drinking Water

Screen Shot 02-01-17 at 12.32 PMChoosing to drink water over sugar-sweetened beverages is the focus of “Water Month” this February by the Healthy Kids Community Challenge Peterborough.  To raise awareness about the considerable health benefits of water consumption, a number of community-led projects will be celebrated throughout the month.

Five interactive contests will be happening through the Healthy Kids Community Challenge Peterborough Facebook page throughout February.  Participants can win several prizes donated by local partner organizations.  “Water Month” will also celebrate Healthy Kids Community Challenge Peterborough’s goal of ensuring water is more accessible to children where they play. For example, several water refill stations have been installed in local arenas and other community hubs in nearly all local municipalities and First Nations communities.

“The Healthy Kids Community Challenge is encouraging the development of active and healthy lifestyles,” said Peterborough Mayor Daryl Bennett, one of Healthy Kids Community Challenge’s community champions. “Drinking water is essential to nurturing those healthy choices in our children. To support this activity, the City has been increasing access to water in community locations that are well used by children.”

Peterborough County Warden Joe Taylor also spoke about the importance of water, especially to children. “Water plays a vital role in the health and well-being of all of us. This focus by the Healthy Kids Community Challenge on the importance of water to our children is paramount.  As we strive to ensure the health and well-being of our children, it is up to us to ensure our youth have the knowledge to make good choices in life.”

Research shows that sugar-sweetened beverages are the single largest source of sugar in kids’ diets.  Almost half (44%) of the sugar children and youth take in every day comes from beverages, such as milk, fruit juice, regular soft drinks and fruit drinks.  Too much sugar can lead to health problems, tooth decay, and cavities.  Sugary drinks, including sport drinks, are also highly marketed to children and families, often with a misleading emphasis on their benefits to health or performance.

Studies also show that kids who are used to drinking water at a young age are more likely to drink water later in life. Water is essential for good health and has no sugar. It keeps kids hydrated, feeling energetic, and alert. Water is natural and healthy.

The Healthy Kids Community Challenge is a community program where partners from different sectors work together to organize activities that promote and support healthy behaviours for children, including healthy eating and physical activity.  Help spread the word on Facebook and Twitter @HKCCPtbo and #healthykidsptbo.  Families and organizations can also “take the pledge” at www.waterdoeswonders.ca.

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For further information, please contact:
Deanna Moher, MPH
Healthy Kids Community Challenge Project Coordinator
705-743-1000, ext. 355