Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/ June 8, 2023
The Hastings Prince Edward Board of Health held its meeting for June 2023 yesterday. The agenda package can be reviewed here.
Air quality update
Dr. Ian Gemmill, Acting Medical Officer of Health, provided an update on the special air quality statement that has been issued by Environment Canada and Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. High levels of air pollution have developed due to smoke from forest fires, and poor air quality is expected to persist through most of this week.
As conditions may vary within our region and throughout the day, Dr Gemmill urged residents to continue to monitor the local Air Quality Health Index value and relevant local weather forecasts and adjust their activities accordingly.
Residents are advised to limit their exposure by staying indoors as much as possible during periods of high risk, and reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors, especially if symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation occur. This is particularly important for those at risk, such as those with heart or breathing problems, young children and the elderly. Residents are also advised to keep doors and windows closed as much as possible to maintain better air quality in their homes.
The Air Quality Health Index (below) can help you determine the best action to take:
| Health Risk | Air Quality Health Index | Health Messages | |
| At Risk Population (People with heart or breathing problems are at greater risk. Follow your doctor’s usual advice about exercising and managing your condition.) | General Population | ||
| Low | 1-3 | Enjoy your usual outdoor activities. | Ideal air quality for outdoor activities. |
| Moderate | 4-6 | Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if you are experiencing symptoms. | No need to modify your usual outdoor activities unless you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation. |
| High | 7-10 | Reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors. Children and the elderly should also take it easy. | Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation. |
| Very High | Above 10 | Avoid strenuous activities outdoors. Children and the elderly should also avoid outdoor physical exertion. | Reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors, especially if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation. |
2022 Annual Report
The 2022 Annual Report was presented to the Board and is now available at hpePublicHealth.ca.
While 2022 marked the third year of HPEPH’s ongoing COVID-19 response, it was also a year of recovery and the resumption of much of the public health work that was put on hold in 2020.
Find key facts and figures in the online report.
Health equity
Victoria Law, Social Determinants of Health Public Health Nurse, provided an overview of Health Equity to the Board.
Health equity means that all people have a fair chance to reach their full health potential. Health Equity is a core element of the Ontario Public Health Standards under the Foundational Standards, and the accompanying Health Equity Guideline.
HPEPH is working to address health equity. The Foundational Standards and Communications team provides guidance on issues related to health equity. Tools have been developed to support this work, including integration of the Ministry of Health Equity Impact Assessment (HEIA) into the HPEPH planning cycle. A priority population identification guide has also been developed, which is integrated into the planning cycle and helps staff to identify priority populations or those who serve to benefit the most from our programs accurately. Efforts are underway to build internal capacity for health equity through staff training. Health equity modules will be offered to staff this summer and integrated into onboarding procedures to establish baseline knowledge.
In addition, many frontline staff will complete the San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety training this year, with plans to continue to offer training in future years. Integrating health equity into programming will help support those who stand to benefit the most from public health services.
Food literacy
Members of the Healthy Schools team (HST) recently wrapped up a series of food literacy classes with the Grade 4/5 and 5/6 students at Queen Elizabeth Public School.
Over four weeks, the HST turned classrooms into bustling kitchens and facilitated sessions aimed at making food fun, helping students to build food skills, learning to make easy, nutritious food and expanding palates and knowledge of food through hands-on exposure.
Lessons covered different aspects of food education, including food safety, holding and using a knife safely, names and uses for common kitchen equipment, measuring ingredients accurately, following a recipe, and exploring food using the senses.
The highlight of each session was the hands-on food preparation. Students eagerly jumped into action, working together to create delicious recipes from scratch. The students had fun while learning valuable skills and exploring food together.
When asked to evaluate their experience, 97 per cent of students reported learning something new and 90 per cent had tried a new food.
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For more information contact:
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
hyland.maureen@hpeph.ca
Jessica Klein, Communications Specialist
jklein@hpeph.ca
About Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is a public health agency that serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four local offices. HPEPH is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people. We monitor the health of our local population, deliver programs and services within our communities, and help develop healthy public policies. We provide information and support in many areas to help improve the health and well-being of our residents. Together with our communities, we help people become as healthy as they can be. For more information, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
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