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Toronto Public Health and the Board of Health |
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BOH reports for meeting on January 19, 2009.
The following reports were presented to the Board of Health at its monthly meeting on January 19, 2009.
Election of Chair for 2009
Summary
The Board of Health to elect its Chair for 2009.
Election of Vice-Chair for 2009
Summary
The Board of Health to elect its Vice-Chair for 2009.
Update: Trans Fat Reduction in Toronto
Origin
(January 7, 2009) Report from Medical Officer of Health
Recommendations
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that:
- Toronto Public Health evaluate the success of the Federal voluntary approach to trans fat reductions in Toronto by conducting a survey to determine the extent to which specific food products containing trans fat are still available on grocery store shelves and in Toronto food service operations. This survey will follow the end of the two-year federal review period and the results will be reported to the Board of Health.
- Toronto Public Health continue to monitor trans fat reduction initiatives at the Federal level and in other jurisdictions.
Summary
The purpose of this report is to summarize progress in reducing trans fat in Toronto since the September 2007 Board of Health report, The Reduction of Trans Fat in the Toronto Food Supply. That report reviewed the public health implications of artificially produced trans fat in the food supply, including an increased risk of heart disease, and reported on steps taken to reduce artificial trans fat in the operations of Toronto Agencies, Boards, Commissions and Divisions.
At that time, it was recommended that Toronto Public Health (TPH) assist the food and food service industries in shifting from the use of trans fat to healthier alternatives by education and monitoring, with public reporting on trans fat levels in the food supply. The option of regulation to restrict trans fat use was deferred pending the results of Health Canada's national monitoring and voluntary approach, and an evaluation of the effectiveness of this strategy.
TPH has collaborated with Health Canada's Trans Fat Monitoring Program to ensure that lowcost and ethno-cultural foods were included in the sampling. TPH has also trained staff involved in the delivery of the Student Nutrition Programs to ensure that programs are serving foods with reduced trans fat. In addition, TPH has promoted voluntary trans fat reductions to Toronto food service operators.
Background Information
Update: Trans Fat Reduction in Toronto - Staff Report
(PDF file size 35KB)
Proposed Amendment to Municipal Code, Chapter 608, Parks, to Prohibit Smoking around Playgrounds and Other Areas in City of Toronto Parks
Origin
(December 9, 2008) Report from General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and Dr. David McKeown, Medical Officer of Health addressed to the Parks and Environment Committee
Recommendations
The General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the Medical Officer of Health recommend that:
- smoking tobacco and the holding of lighted tobacco be prohibited within a 9-metre radius of the edge of playground safety surfaces or any playground equipment in Toronto parks, and within a 9-metre radius of the edge of wading pool basins or safety surfaces of splash pads operated by Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division.
- smoking tobacco and the holding of lighted tobacco also be prohibited within zoos and farms managed by Parks, Forestry and Recreation.
- the City Solicitor be directed to amend Municipal Code Chapter 608, Parks, to prohibit smoking tobacco and holding lighted tobacco within a 9-metre radius surrounding the edge of playground safety surfaces or any playground equipment in Toronto parks, within a 9-metre radius surrounding the edge of wading pool basins or safety surfaces of splash pads, and within zoos and farms operated by Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division, substantially as outlined in Appendix A of this report, subject to any necessary minor substantive or stylistic refinements as may be identified by the General Manager and the City Solicitor.
- the amendments to Municipal Code Chapter 608, Parks, come into force the day after the set fine order is issued by the Province.
- signage be designed and installed identifying the smoking prohibition and identify the relevant provisions of Municipal Code, Chapter 608, Parks.
- the Parks and Environment Committee forward this report to the Board of Health for endorsement at its meeting on January 19, 2009.
- the City Solicitor be authorized to introduce the necessary bills to give effect to these recommendations.
Summary
Tobacco use is the greatest single cause of preventable disease. Research clearly indicates that there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke. Children are especially vulnerable. Second-hand smoke impacts a growing child's body and has been linked to increased respiratory illnesses including ear infections, lower lung capacity, childhood asthma and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
This report proposes amendments to Municipal Code, Chapter 608, Parks, to prohibit smoking tobacco and the holding of lighted tobacco in City of Toronto playgrounds, wading pools and splash pads, and within zoos and farms that are managed by Parks, Forestry and Recreation.
Financial Impact
It will cost $16,000 in 2009 to provide signage in City of Toronto parks. Fifty percent of these costs will be funded through the Parks Branch 2009 Operating budget for signage replacement. The balance will be paid by Toronto Public Health through 100% provincial funding from the
Smoke Free Ontario Program.
The Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information.
Note:
The recommendations from the Parks and Environment Committee meeting to be held on January 16, 2009, will be distributed to the Board of Health at the meeting.
Background Information
HL20. - Proposed Amendment to Municipal Code, Chapter 608, Parks, to Prohibit Smoking around Playgrounds and Other Areas in City of Toronto Parks - Staff Report
(PDF file size 35KB)
Ontario Public Health Standards
Origin
(January 5, 2009) Report from Medical Officer of Health
Recommendations
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that:
- the Medical Officer of Health report to the Board of Health in May 2009, on the implementation of the Ontario Public Health Standards and Protocols outlining how Toronto Public Health will incorporate the new standards in strategic and service planning.
Summary
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care released the new Ontario Public Health Standards (OPHS) in November 2008. The OPHS and their related Protocols are published pursuant to Section 7 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.7. The new Standards and Protocols establish the minimum requirements for basic public health programs and services including assessment and surveillance, health promotion and policy development, disease and injury prevention, and health protection. Boards of Health are legally responsible for implementing the OPHS and Protocols.
A number of Toronto Public Health (TPH) staff attended the Ministry's November launch
which included a series of workshops. The Medical Officer of Health and staff are now
working on the development of an internal TPH plan that will:
- communicate the new standards and protocols to staff;
- assess Toronto Public Health service compliance with standards and protocols, which provide direction on how boards of health must operationalize specific requirements; and
- inform ongoing TPH strategic and service planning processes.
Background Information
HL20.4 - Ontario Public Health Standards - Staff Report
(PDF file size 16KB)
Appointment of 2009 Review Panels for the AIDS Prevention and Drug Prevention Community Investment Programs
Origin
(January 5, 2009) Report from Medical Officer of Health
Recommendations
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that:
- the Board of Health appoint the individuals listed in Confidential Attachment 3 to the AIDS Prevention Community Investment Program Review Panel for 2009 and the Drug Prevention Community Investment Program Review Panel for 2009.
Summary
The report recommends members of the Review Panels for the 2009 AIDS Prevention and Drug Prevention Community Investment Programs for appointment by the Board of Health. The individuals proposed for panel membership are listed in confidential Attachment 3.
Background Information
HL.20.5 - Appointment of 2009 Review Panels for the AIDS Prevention and Drug Prevention Community Investment Programs - Staff Report
(PDF file size 16KB)
Update on City Council Approved Toronto Public Health 2009 - 2018 Capital Plan and Forecast
Origin
(January 2, 2009) Report from Medical Officer of Health
Summary
This report provides an update to the Toronto Public Health (TPH) 2009 Capital Budget, 5-Year Capital Plan (2009-2013) and 5-Year Capital Forecast (2014-2018) as approved by City Council.
At its meeting of December 10, 2008, City Council approved a TPH 2009-2013 Capital Budget and Plan for a total of $18.809 million with a 2009 cash flow of $5.110 million (including a carry-forward of $1.611 million from 2008) and future year commitments of $3.499 million for 2010, and $3.400 million in each year from 2011 to 2013.
City Council approved, in principle, the 2014-2018 Capital Forecast for TPH totalling $17.0 million in project estimates, comprised of $3.400 million in each year from 2014 to 2018 and requested that this forecast be used as a foundation for preparing a 2010-2019 Capital Plan and Forecast as part of the 2010 Capital Budget process.
Background Information
HL20.3 - Update on City Council Approved Toronto Public Health 2009-2018 Capital Plan and Forecast - Staff Report (PDF file size 16KB)
Local Health Committee Minutes
Summary
- Minutes of the Scarborough Local Health Committee meeting held on June 10, 2008.
- Minutes of the Scarborough Local Health Committee meeting held on September 9, 2008.
- Minutes of the Toronto/East York Local Health Committee meeting held on October 21, 2008.
Background Information
HL20. - Scarborough Local Health Committee Minutes - June 10, 2008 (PDF file size 5KB)
HL 20. -Scarborough Local Health Committee Minutes - September 9, 2008 (PDF file size 6KB)
Toronto/East York Local Health Committee Minutes - October 21, 2008 (PDF file size 6KB)
Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Update
Summary
The Medical Officer of Health will give a verbal update on Pandemic Influenza Preparedness.
Last updated April 2009
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