March 31, 2017 – Peterborough Public Health
In compliance with the Ontario Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act, a listing of Peterborough Public Health’s salaries and benefits exceeding $100,000 for 2016 has been posted on Public Health’s website and is available from the link below:
2016 Public Sector Salary Disclosure
March 24, 2017 – Healthy Kids Community Challenge Wraps Up Water Does Wonders
World Water Day on March 22 reminds us of the importance of access to clean and safe water. The Healthy Kids Community Challenge is celebrating this day by recognizing the many exciting local initiatives designed to encourage kids to make water their drink of choice.
“Water is essential for good health and has no sugar. It keeps kids hydrated, energized, and alert,” said Deanna Moher, Healthy Kids Community Challenge Project Coordinator. “Choosing water over sugar-sweetened beverages and sports drinks is one of the best ways to reduce sugar intake for lifelong health.”
Moher said research shows that sugar-sweetened beverages are the single largest source of sugar in kids’ diets. Almost half (44 per cent) of the sugar children and youth consume every day comes from beverages, and too much sugar can lead to health problems and tooth decay. Studies also show that kids who are used to drinking water at a young age are more likely to drink water later in life.
“The Healthy Kids Community Challenge is encouraging the development of active and healthy lifestyles,” said Peterborough Mayor Daryl Bennett, a community champion for the Healthy Kids Community Challenge. “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.”
Since July 2016, programs, events and infrastructure have been offered and developed to promote drinking water to kids across the City, County and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations. Drinking water is now more available to kids and families, and the importance of water has been a focus in settings such as child care and in schools. The infrastructure and activities have and will continue to support thousands of children across our region to choose water as their drink of choice. A summary of recent accomplishments and activities can be found in the attached backgrounder.
All families and organizations are encouraged to visit www.waterdoeswonders.ca for more information. Consider “Taking the Pledge” and be sure to share your excitement with the Healthy Kids Community Challenge via social media or email. Stay connected to learn about upcoming opportunities that are part of the next theme: “Choose to Boost Veggies and Fruit”. Find us on Facebook (HKCC Peterborough), Twitter (@HKCCPtbo), or on the web (www.sustainablepeterborough.ca).
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.
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BACKGROUNDER
Water – Making it the Drink of Choice for Kids
Healthy Kids Community Challenge Peterborough
Water Does Wonders theme
The focus of the Water Does Wonders theme is to support children to make water their drink of choice. Research shows that children today drink almost half of the sugar they consume each day, and this also contributes to many children often consuming more sugar than is recommended. Water is the natural and healthy choice to stay hydrated throughout the day*. Since July 2016, programs, events and infrastructure have been offered and developed to promote drinking water to kids across the City, County and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations.
Major accomplishments since December 2016
- 22 water filling stations were installed in arenas, parks and community hubs, used by thousands of children each week.
- 30+ businesses have added their site to www.bluewptbo.ca, an interactive map of places to fill your water bottle for free.
- Representatives from over 20 schools learned about how water can enhance kids’ learning and self-regulation.
- An Indigenous-focused curriculum, Nibi Giinwiindawan (We Are Water) was developed through a partnership with Curve Lake First Nation and YWCA Peterborough Haliburton Nourish Project. It is being shared with schools, communities and youth groups.
- 200+ kids, parents and caregivers have participated in PRHC’s “Water by Choice” program.
Water Month – February 2017
February was “Water Month”, a month to celebrate the accomplishments over the past eight months and invite all kids and families in our region to participate.
- More than 100 families participated in the Water Month weekly contests
- 46 entried and more than 1,000 visits to the Water Month Photo Contest
- More than 15 local organizations and media outlets supported Water Month contests.
- Schools representing over 3,000 students participated in Water Month activities promoting water or encouraging critical thinking about drink choices.
- 16 childcare and early years program sites participated in Water Does Wonders activities, and many took part in “the Big Water Gulp” on February 24th.
- 160 participants in the YMCA Wildrock Kids 1k received the “Water is the way to GO!” resource, and more than 100 runners enjoyed the flavoured (fruit and vegetable) water station.
About the Healthy Kids Community Challenge
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. From 2015 to 2018, Peterborough is receiving special funding from the Ontario government to support this initiative. Activities are determined based on “themes”, which last for nine months. The next theme is “Choose to boost veggies and fruit” which will run from April to December 2017.
*Water can be offered to infants after 6 months of age (exclusive breastfeeding or infant formula offers hydration for infants younger than 6 months).
For further information, please contact:
Deanna Moher, MPH
Healthy Kids Community Challenge Project Coordinator
705-743-1000, ext. 355
dmoher@peterboroughpublichealth.ca
For further information, please contact:
Deanna Moher, MPH
Healthy Kids Community Challenge Project Coordinator
705-743-1000, ext. 355
dmoher@peterboroughpublichealth.ca
March 22, 2017 – On-site Breastfeeding Support Also Available for Nursing Moms
Peterborough Public Health proudly announced today the opening of its new public breastfeeding room at its Jackson Square location on 185 King St.
“We’re excited to offer breastfeeding moms a comfortable, clean and dedicated space to nurse their babies when they’re downtown,” said Dawn Hanes, Public Health Nurse. “This new room is large enough to accommodate other children and family members. Also, on-site breastfeeding support is available on Monday and Wednesday mornings from Public Health Nurses, if needed.”
The new breastfeeding room is found on the main floor just off the clinic waiting room and is available on a first come, first serve basis for families. It is a home-like environment with a door that closes for privacy and a couch and tables. The room is open during regular business hours Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Hanes noted that this room adds to a growing number of dedicated breastfeeding rooms throughout the community, including those found at Lansdowne Place, Sears, and Peterborough Square. “It’s really important that breastfeeding moms feel welcome and supported everywhere they go. Breastfeeding is a natural way to protect babies from diseases, and it promotes emotional and brain development. Also, the longer a woman breastfeeds, the more health benefits she and her baby will receive.”
Breastfeeding support is available by calling the Family Healthline at 705-743-1000 for all parents who live in Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, and the County and City of Peterborough. Parents with breastfeeding questions or concerns can also contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or visit www.ontario.ca/breastfeeding.
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For further information, please contact:
Dawn Hanes, RN
Public Health Nurse
705-743-1000, ext. 289
March 10, 2017 – To view the meeting summary from the March 8th Board of Health Meeting please click here
March 9. 2017 – Hundreds of St. Alphonsus Catholic Elementary School Students Celebrate Nutrition Month with Tenth Annual Great Big Crunch Event
Today hundreds of students from St. Alphonsus Catholic Elementary School joined thousands more across Canada in a loud, simultaneous apple chomp as part of the tenth annual Great Big Crunch event.
“We are honoured to be the host school for the Great Big Crunch assembly this year,” said Ryan Brooks, Principal of St. Alphonsus. “This is a great way to reinforce the importance of healthy eating for our students and staff.”
The local event is organized by Food for Kids in partnership with Peterborough Public Health. “This event is a fun way for kids to get excited about healthy eating,” said Angela Fuchs, Coordinator of the Food for Kids Student Nutrition Program. Food for Kids is a local organization that works to support Student Nutrition Programs. “This event gets kids talking about locally grown apples and supports education around healthy eating, how food is grown and how food ties into our community.”
Now in its tenth year with participants from coast to coast, the initiative was started by Food Share Toronto, a food initiative that aims to improve access to affordable and healthy food in communities. In 2016, the event attracted 450 registered “crunch-sites”, resulting in 153,011 people taking a united bite out of an apple in support of food literacy and local food.
“The Great Big Crunch falls during Nutrition Month, so this is a great opportunity to emphasize the importance of modelling healthy eating to children, and the key role healthy eating plays in children’s ability to learn,” said Lauren Kennedy, Registered Dietitian at Peterborough Public Health.
For more information about Food for Kids, to volunteer or to make a donation, visit www.foodforkidsptbo.ca.
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For further information contact:
Lauren Kennedy, MScFN, RD
Public Health Nutritionist
705-743-1000, ext. 233
Friday, March 3, 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 Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at 5:30 p.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
March 2, 2017 – All Incoming and Outgoing Calls to 705-743-1000 Working Properly
Peterborough Public Health is pleased to announce that its phone service is restored and functioning properly.
The community is advised that they can again use the number 705-743-1000 for any urgent or non-urgent public health matters.
PPH staff have a list of every call and fax not received during the outage and confirmed that there were no missed urgent public health calls.
We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience while we addressed the issue.
For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Manager
705-743-1000, ext. 391
March 2, 2017 – Public Advised to Call 705-760-8127 for Public Health Emergencies
Peterborough Public Health is experiencing an unexpected phone service outage today to its main business lines. For public health emergencies, please call its answering service at 705-760-8127 and this will reach PPH on-call staff who will respond via cell phone.
The issue has been traced to an internal server and staff are working to restore service as quickly as possible. Peterborough Public Health offices remain open at 185 King St., Peterborough and its dental clinic is also open at Peterborough Square at 360 George St. N.
We will advise when phone service has been restored and is providing regular updates on its social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook.
We apologize for any inconvenience.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Manager
705-743-1000, ext. 391
March 1, 2017 – March is Nutrition Month
Local Registered Dietitians Help “Take the Fight Out of Food”
Taking the fight out of food is the theme this March for Nutrition Month and Peterborough Public Health’s Registered Dietitians want to help improve your relationship with food, regardless of the struggle.
“There are many reasons why food can seem like a fight – food fads, picky eaters, stress, inspiration for cooking at home and the list goes on,” said Lauren Kennedy, RD at Peterborough Public Health. “We’re hoping to ease the burden some people feel about food so eating can be joyful and pleasurable experience, not a source of frustration and confusion.”
Kennedy said whatever your fight with food may be, these three steps can help you identify a sustainable solution:
- Spot the problem: What is causing your fight with food? Identifying and acknowledging the issue is the first step to finding a solution.
- Get the facts: The endless amount of nutrition advice and information that is out there isn’t always helpful and can make things more confusing. Knowing where to find credible sources of information is key to finding a sustainable solution for any food battle. Dietitians are reliable and qualified professionals that provide evidenced-based advice. They are the only registered health professionals who receive a minimum 5 years of food and nutrition specific education.
- Seek support: Making lifestyle changes on your own is hard but with a supportive network for help it can be a little easier. Put the plan into action with support from a Registered Dietitian, family and friends.
To help local residents “take the fight out of food”, Peterborough Public Health is offering a free supermarket tour on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Morello’s Your Independent Grocer located at 400 Lansdowne Street East, Peterborough. Led by Carolyn Doris, RD at Peterborough Public Health, the tour will show people how to make shopping less of a struggle. “Whether it’s shopping on a budget or how to read food labels, we want everyone to be able to make choices that support healthy eating,” said Doris.
To register for the tour, call Peterborough Public Health at 705-743-1000, ext. 316.
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There are local Registered Dietitians in the Peterborough area who can assist with any nutritional concerns or help to strategize solutions to take the fight out of food. If you are interested in meeting with a local RD contact your doctor for a referral or visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca and click on the link for Nutrition Month to find a list of local RDs.
Visit the Dietitians of Canada at www.nutritionmonth2017.ca for more information about Nutrition Month 2017.
To have your nutrition questions answered or to receive a free nutrition month package speak with a Registered Dietitian for free by calling Eat Right Ontario at 1-877-510-5102. This service is available 9am-5pm ET Monday to Friday and until 9pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Follow us on social media @Ptbohealth for more Nutrition Month posts! Speak directly
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For further information, please contact:
Lauren Kennedy, MSc, RD
Peterborough Public Health
705-743-1000, ext. 233