KENORA — Canadian Public Health Week, April 7-11, recognizes the role of public health workers in enhancing the safety and well-being of communities.
Public health work benefits society in many ways, said Dr. Kit Young Hoon, Northwestern Health Unit’s medical officer of health.
“Public health work is described as upstream work,” she said.
“We look at ways to reduce pressures on the health of the population and on the health-care system.
“So we’re trying to prevent disease and promote health and well-being so that people can maximize how they function in society and how they enjoy their lives.
“And we also look for ways to prevent the spread of disease and people getting unwell in the community.
“So we have programming that focuses on immunization and following up on infectious disease, which I think everybody’s well aware of.
“But we also have a lot of programming that focuses on children and ensuring that they’re maximizing their health so that they can participate in school and enjoy life and therefore develop well and reduce the likelihood of having diseases later on in life.
"So we have a fair number of school health programs that focus on healthy eating and physical activity. We do immunization clinics through the schools. We also support dental health and speech services, as well as hearing services for children.
“So, a lot of programming to prevent people from becoming unwell or to prevent illnesses that can lead to complications later on in life.”
Preventing illness costs less in the long run “than having to treat people when they become unwell,” Hoon Young said.
A news release from the health unit states that “recent analysis from the Public Health Agency of Canada shows that every dollar invested in public health interventions generates approximately $14 in savings across health and economic sectors. This emphasizes the immense value of preventive measures in reducing broader societal costs.”
“Public health is the foundation of thriving communities,” Marlyn Herbacz, the health unit’s chief executive officer, is quoted as saying in the release.
“Our staff work every day to prevent illness, promote well-being and ensure equitable access to services. Their efforts make a lasting difference in people’s lives.
“This week, we celebrate and thank them for their dedication to building healthier futures for everyone.”
Public health work focuses on preventing diseases, promoting health and improving quality of life by addressing health issues at a population level through organized efforts and informed choices.
The Northwestern Health Unit serves a population of about 82,000 across nearly 174,000 square kilometres – about one-fifth of Ontario. Its communities include 39 First Nations and 19 municipalities, including the cities of Kenora and Dryden.
The health unit has offices in 12 municipalities to provide services across the region.
