Health & Wellness

The Northwestern Health Unit has released its second-annual public health report card.
“The report card tells the community and our funders about the work of the health unit in the past year,” noted board chairman John Albanese.

Sign up now for the “Healthy You” weight management program being offered by clinical dietitian Rooksana Randeree this fall at La Verendrye Hospital in Fort Frances and the Emo and Rainy River Health Centres via telehealth.

The North West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) is launching “Your Region, Your Health Care, Your Voice!”—an online survey to gather valuable feedback, input, and opinions on health-care priorities in the region.

Organizations
encouraged to
pledge donors
Rainy River District residents are encouraged to book an appointment for the Canadian Blood Services’ first summer blood donor clinic in Fort Frances.
The overall goal of the CBS is to get 380 blood donors over the course of the two-day clinic, and so far it needs another 270 to book appointments to help reach that.

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) maintains a commitment to providing information to rural, remote, Francophone, and aboriginal youth about health careers.
Summer Health Sciences Camps at NOSM provide students with a unique opportunity to learn about professions in the health-care sector.

Oshki Aa-yaa’aag Mino Bimaadiziiwin (Good Life For Young Peoples) is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to bring to life the dreams and aspirations of aboriginal youth across Ontario.

A regional obesity activist is encouraged by the provincial government’s announcement last month that it is bringing together a group of experts to help tackle the challenge of reducing childhood obesity by 20 percent over five years.
“I think any discussions represent hope,” said Paul Murphy, founder of Obesity Thunder Bay (www.obesitythunderbay.ning.com).

Low coverage rates of the vaccine for preventing meningococcal disease has Northwestern Health Unit staff concerned about a potential outbreak.
In some Northwestern Health Unit communities, as few as one-third of the students have received their vaccine (brand name Menactra).

In April, 2002, the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) proclaimed June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day following the United Nations’ International Plan of Action on Ageing.
This plan recognized the importance of addressing and preventing abuse and neglect of older adults.

During the month of June, the Northwestern Health Unit is promoting the message that being a dad is one of the greatest jobs and is like no other.
Dads play an important role in their children’s lives by being involved and role-modelling positive behaviours for their children.