Huron Perth Public Health Marks Canadian Public Health Week

by Bob Montgomery

Huron Perth Public Health joins public health organizations across Canada in marking Canadian Public Health Week.

Held Monday April 8 to Friday April 12, Canadian Public Health Week is a time to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving our health and well-being.

“The work of public health is to protect and promote the health of people where they live, work and play,” says Dr. Miriam Klassen, Medical Officer of Health for Huron Perth. “By creating healthier communities, we avoid drawing on costly and scarce health care resources and we strengthen quality of life and well-being for all.”

Many people think of disease prevention and control when they think of public health, and that certainly was the focus with the unprecedented pandemic response and now with the current measles outbreaks.

However, in addition to vaccination, case and contact management, outbreak response and community infection control measures, public health does much more, including:

• monitors the health status of the population to identify and respond to on-going health trends, as well as public health emergencies

• inspects food vendors to ensure food safety

• inspects pools, spas and salons to ensure infection prevention and control measures are in place

• supports the Smoke-free Ontario Act and enforces the ban on selling tobacco products to minors

• works with communities (including but not limited to partners such as municipalities, schools, and families) to promote health across the lifespan (including programs that support healthy child development, injury prevention, chronic disease prevention and substance misuse prevention).

• advocates for public policy that supports healthy lifestyles

“HPPH staff are the greatest asset to achieving our vision of optimized health and well-being for all in Huron and Perth counties,” adds Dr. Klassen. “I thank all HPPH staff for the work they put into protecting and strengthening our communities, and to our Board of Health for their support.”

When the importance of local public health is recognized and given the necessary resources and support, communities create a healthier and more secure future for everyone.

More information can be found be calling Huron Perth Public Health at 1-888-221-2133 or by visiting their website at www.hpph.ca.