Anyone can fall. But as we age, our risk of falling becomes greater. That’s the bad news. The good news is that falls can be prevented. The first step to avoiding falls is to understand what causes them. Poor balance, decreased muscle and bone strength, reduced vision or hearing, hazards in your home, and winter…
Winter can be harsh, especially during Ottawa’s coldest month – January. On average, there are 140 emergency department visits in Ottawa related to cold exposure per year. About 2/3 are for frostbite, more common among young people, and about 1/3 are for hypothermia, more common in those aged 65 and older. Those who are most…
Turkey, ham, fish or lamb… whichever is on the menu over the holiday season, Ottawa Public Health can lend you a hand. Since we can’t be there in person 😉, we can offer some tips on how to prepare, store and serve a safe meal. To stuff or not to stuff? That is the question.…
The blunt Fact about Cannabis Edible cannabis products may be available as early as December 16, 2019 for residents to buy in-store or online. Ottawa Public Health is sharing important information to ensure that you and those around you stay safe. Residents should be aware that when ingesting cannabis the effects take longer to feel…
The Ontario Ministry of Health is seeking recommendations to modernize and transform public health services and how they are delivered in Ontario. Ottawa Public Health will be providing feedback to the province and we want to hear from Ottawa residents and community partners about how to shape and improve public health services to better protect…
On November 18, 2019, the Ontario Ministry of Health announced its plan to begin provide-wide consultations on the modernizing of public health. Public health units, municipalities and stakeholders have been invited to provide feedback on public health modernization. On December 4, Ottawa Public Health launched its public health modernization community conversation on Engage Ottawa, to…
World AIDS Day, December 1, which is also the start of Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week in Canada, is a time for reflection; to reflect on what we have achieved and what we still must achieve. To commemorate World AIDS Day, Sexual Health Services (SHS) has launched an educational whiteboard video that provides the latest information…
We have received a report of organic waste being left out for wildlife at local Parks. We would like to remind residents of the dangers of feeding wildlife: Threats to wildlife animals can become dependent on artificial food sources animals can lose their natural fear of humans and pets, becoming more prone to conflict artificial…
On November 20, 2019, the province announced the launch of the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program. Acknowledging that finances have prohibited some seniors from being able to receive dental care the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program supports low-income seniors. Ontarians aged 65 and over with an income of $19,300 or less or couples with a…
Is lead a concern in my children’s school, private school, and child care centre? Drinking water supplied by the City of Ottawa is lead-free. However, lead can dissolve into drinking water during its contact with lead pipes, brass fixtures, and lead solder if these were present within a school. All schools, private schools and child…