| TPH eBulletin October 2010 |
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| TPH in the News |
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“Check your package” campaign too creative for Facebook
Toronto Public Health launched a testicular cancer campaign “Check your package” in September targeting men 15 - 35 who are most at risk for this cancer. The campaign includes posters in male washrooms in Toronto universities and colleges and ads in campus newspapers. An ad purchase was also planned for Facebook but was cancelled when Facebook would not accept the ad as it was written.
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The Toronto Star used the ad to illustrate the story: “Facebook pulls plug on ‘threatening’ testicular cancer ad.” It begins: Amid the countless racy images posted on Facebook, you will not find a Toronto Public Health ad warning of the dangers of testicular cancer. Dr. David McKeown commented, “We can’t afford to be squeamish about an important health problem.” Read the Toronto Star article.
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Seasonal flu shots begin in October
Everyone is at risk of getting the flu. Although most people who are infected will not get seriously ill, high-risk individuals can become very ill from complications. The flu shot is safe and is strongly recommended if your are in contact with individual who are at high risk for flu-related complications. Because the viruses that cause influenza change frequently, everyone should get the flu shot each year. The flu shot protects against new strains of influenza. TPH free flu clinics begin October 28, 2010and run throughout the city until January 13, 2011. Check www.toronto.ca/health/flu for clinic dates and locations.
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| New Services |
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New Healthy Smiles program provides preventive dental care
Healthy Smiles Ontario is the newest program to be included in TPH dental services. Funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care, the Healthy Smiles Ontario program provides free and accessible, preventive dental care for children and youth 17 and under who qualify.
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The Healthy Smiles Ontario Program is available at all existing Toronto Public Health dental clinics. Additionally, qualifying children and youth age 17 and under will be able to receive care at four new clinic locations, which will open by Spring 2011:
- Anishnawbe Community Health Centre, 179 Gerrard Street East
- Parkdale Community Health Centre, 1229 Queen Street west
- St.MichaelsHospital, 80 Bond Street
- Stonegate Community Health Centre, 150 Berry Road
A mobile clinic will promote access to dental care for eligible children and youth who are in under-serviced areas or are homeless or street-involved. Go to www.toronto.ca/health/dental
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TPH Champion Network supports women affected by abuse
A recent addition to nursing practice is “Woman Abuse: Identification and Initial Response” which has led to the formation of the TPH Woman Abuse Champion Network. The Champions meet regularly to plan and participate in ongoing training on issues related to Woman Abuse.
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In October the network will launch the first part of training for many TPH nursing staff who work with families. At the training event, TPH staff and community agencies will share stories and strategies for ways to better support women and their families impacted by woman abuse.
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Shade Guidelines protect against skin cancer
Solar radiation and more particularly the ultraviolet portion of solar radiation is a human carcinogen. The provision of shade in City-owned and operated outdoor venues, in particular where children are in attendance, is an important measure for the primary prevention of skin cancer and its associated health and economic burden.
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Shade Guidelines were created by the Shade Policy Committee of the Toronto Cancer Prevention Coalition as directed by the Board of Health and City Council. The Shade Guidelines were recently approved by the Board of Health and include information on sun safety measures, types of shade and recommendations and principles for increasing shade at eleven types of facilities operated by the City of Toronto (e.g. waterplay and swimming pools and playgrounds). The Shade Guidelines document received extensive media coverage and has triggered many requests for presentations.
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New initiative for newcomer communities
Toronto Public Health has received funding from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), through the City of Toronto Newcomer Initiative, to strengthen our responsiveness to newcomer communities. Few cities in the world are as ethno-racially diverse as Toronto.
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One-half of Toronto’s residents were born outside of Canada and each year about 35,000 newcomers settle in Toronto. One quarter of a million Toronto residents have been in Canada for five years or less; half a million residents have been in Canada for ten years or less.
The CIC funding is for four settlement health outreach workers; a support program for families that are reunifying after extended separations; and a health study that will consolidate our knowledge of newcomer health and inform further initiatives. TPH is forming advisory committees for each initiative. Information is available on the web for newcomers to Ontario.
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| Events |
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Moms and babies compete to win Breastfeeding Challenge
TPH invited mothers and babies to help Toronto win the Sixth Annual Breastfeeding Challenge. On October 2nd, mothers and babies at sites across Canada and worldwide competed to set the record for the most children breastfeeding at one time. Last year, Toronto placed first out of 298 participating sites worldwide with 372 moms and 373 babies all breastfeeding at the same time. Toronto Breastfeeding Challenge results for this year will be posted.
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The Breastfeeding Challenge reinforces the theme of World Breastfeeding Week - “Breastfeeding: Just 10 Steps. The Baby-Friendly Way”. This refers to The Baby-Friendly Initiative that was started to help and encourage mothers all around the world to breastfeed. Support for breastfeeding is provided in Baby-Friendly hospitals and community health services. Having more hospitals and community health services become Baby-Friendly will help mothers and babies become as healthy as possible.
TPH recently presented a report to the Board of Health entitled "Breastfeeding in Toronto: Promoting Supportive Environments."
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ChemTRAC holds community consultations
ChemTRAC wants to hear from you! Give us your ideas on how to make chemical data available to the public. Community consultations were held in September and early October. For those who did not attend the sessions in person, an on-line survey and discussion forum is available here to collect your input.
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ChemTRAC, the Environmental Reporting and Disclosure Bylaw (Municipal Code Chapter 423) came into effect January 1, 2010. This new Toronto bylaw requires facilities and businesses to track and report the use of toxic chemicals in workplaces and neighbourhoods to help make our community a cleaner, healthier place to live.
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| New Resources |
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Supports are available to help kids become ’ready to learn’
Being ready to learn at school entry helps kids succeed academically. But some children need more help than others to reach their optimal developmental potential. That's where we come in. TPH is the lead agency for a number of provincially funded programs and services for young children and their families.
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Working with many community partners, Toronto Public Health aims to identify and support young children with special needs and their families. TPH is confident that all children can be ready to learn as they enter kindergarten. For further information or questions, please contact Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600. Click here for useful websites supporting early child development.
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TPH launches iPhone “App”
M2Men, a free iPhone application and text messaging service from Toronto Public Health, is now available as a health resource for gay men and other men who have sex with men. M2Men helps men access a wide range of information about sexual health and to locate health resources in Toronto.
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The “Map Me” function maps and lists nearby resources including free condom dispensers, Sexual Health Clinics, and community support services. The M2Men app will also help users stay current and up to date on sexual health issues in Toronto.
The “TOHealth” service (for youth re: sexual health/STIs) and the “M2Men” text messaging service (for M2M re: syphilis) are also available from any cell phone with a text messaging package.
Text M2Men to 365247
Text TOHealth to 365247
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| Awards |
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Carol Timmings wins Distinguished Service Award
At its recent Annual Conference, the Association of Local Public Health Agencies awarded a Distinguished Service Award to Carol Timmings (left in photo), TPH Director, Chronic Disease Prevention. The award is given to individuals in recognition of their outstanding contributions made to public health in Ontario.
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Other recipients this year included Toronto Board of Health citizen member Valerie Sterling, Monika Turner (formerly of Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Public Health Standards/Practice Branch), Dr. Neil Farrell (formerly of Middlesex-London Health Unit), and Dr. Hazel Lynn (Grey Bruce Health Unit). Congratulations Carol on a well-deserved award!
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