Public Health in Simcoe Muskoka Charles Gardner, MD, CCFP, MHSc, FRCPC Medical Officer of Health

What has made us healthy? What is Public Health? What are the public health priorities in Simcoe Muskoka?

…Our unfinished work: 7.5 more years of life expectancy Source: SEVEN MORE YEARS: The impact of smoking, alcohol, diet, physical activity and stress on health and life expectancy in Ontario. Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Public Health Ontario

What are the social determinants of health? Access to education, meaningful employment, sufficient income Secure access to basic material needs – living wage, housing, transportation (community design) Access to social networks / supports Early child development (prenatal factors, positive parenting, secure and stimulating environment)

A 160 year old movement Strategies focused on populations To prevent disease, and protect and promote health Public Health is….

Our Board of Health in 2016 Barry Ward, City of Barrie Chair Sandy Cairns, District of Muskoka Ralph Cipolla, City of Orillia Lynn Dollin, County of Simcoe Anita Dubeau, County of Simcoe Fred Hamelink, Provincial Appointee Stephen Kinsella, Provincial Appointee Gail Mullen, Provincial Appointee Scott Warnock County of Simcoe Vice Chair Sergio Morales, City of Barrie Margaretta Papp-Belayneh, Provincial Appointee Terry Pilger, District of Muskoka Ben Rattelade, Provincial Appointee Brian Saunderson, County of Simcoe Peter Willmott, Provincial Appointee

The Ontario Public Health Standards & Protocols

Food Safety Provide training and education to food premises operators/owners Formal food handler training provincial food handler training plan –Workshops and self study options available –List of accredited programs on MOHLTC website Provide food safety education to general community topics include: –Food safety at home –Special events/farmers markets –Raw milk

Safe Water: Drinking Water Conduct inspections and assessments of small drinking water systems –Risk based and individualized approach –728 Small Drinking Water Systems –Issuance of a Directive outlining legislative requirements for that specific system –Enforcement - to gain compliance with regulation and parameters for treatment and sampling as per the Directive Adverse Water Quality Incidents –Investigation and response, 24 hours 7 days per week Private Residential Wells –Facilitate testing –Interpretation of results and recommendations for maintenance and remediation as warranted

Community Emergency Management Health Emergencies Pandemic Influenza SARS Tornado Response Protocol Weather Monitoring & Surveillance Designated Site Signage Staff Awareness/Fact Sheets Mass Gathering Events Pan-Am Games Burl’s Creeks Extreme Heat & Cold Planning

Immunization Provision / Promotion and Outbreak Response

Healthy Babies Healthy Children Province-wide voluntary prevention/early intervention program Goals: To promote optimal physical, cognitive, communicative and psychosocial development in children who are at risk prenatal to age 6 years Supports for healthy child development and family well being through the development of a network of service providers and participation in community planning activities

Injury and Substance Misuse Prevention Injury Road and off road safety Falls across the lifespan Working towards a Regional Falls Prevention Strategy for older adults Substance Misuse Alcohol Focus Report Work with all levels of government on alcohol control measures Working towards a Drug and Alcohol Strategy

Chronic Disease Prevention Tobacco Program –Preventing young people from smoking –Protecting people from exposure to second-hand smoke –Supporting people to quit smoking –Enforcing the Smoke Free Ontario Act Healthy Lifestyle Program –Promoting healthy eating and food security –Promoting physical activity –Reviewing official and other municipal plans related to health

We have engineered physical activity out of our lives.

A healthy community provides opportunities… For people to walk and cycle to work. For children to be able to walk and bike safely to school. To be connected to parks, other neighbourhoods and trails. To enjoy the natural environment such as water, farmland and green space. To have access to healthy foods that are fresh and affordable in every neighbourhood. To have sidewalks, pathways, trails and bike lanes that are inviting, accessible, safe and connected to amenities and public transit. For connection to community gathering places. Has sufficient density to support all of this.

Our Priority Population Low income individuals and families –Focus Report on Low Income Families and Individuals – early 2015 release –Situational Assessment Report on Low Income Families and Individuals –HealthSTATS website –Health Equity Impact Assessments Photo courtesy of Barrie Food Bank

Climate Change Action Plan Climate Change identified as a priority public health issue requiring a coordinated and comprehensive agency response, working with our communities. Community Vulnerability Assessment in 2017

Final Thoughts People’s health has always been about their living conditions. Public Health provides a wide range of services – all to prevent disease for the entire population. SMDHU is addressing the population health challenges and opportunities in Simcoe Muskoka.