CHRONIC DISEASE AND INJURY PREVENTION

Tobacco
STOP Study Sessions - Currently there are a total of 110 registrations for the STOP (Smoking Treatment Options for Ontario Patients) Study Sessions being held from March 6-8, 2007.  These half-day workshops, presented by the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), are open to the general public with screening and registration managed through the Tobacco Hotline.  Each session includes the opportunity to learn about cessation techniques and tips and includes the distribution of a free 10-week supply of NRT products (i.e. nicotine gum, patch or inhaler). 

Tobacco Enforcement - Since the beginning of 2007, there have been 195 calls to the Tobacco Hotline at the Health Unit.  Of these, 59 were complaints related to potential infractions under the Smoke Free Ontario Act (SFOA), all of which were assigned and investigated by an enforcement officer.  As of February 26, 2007 a total of nine charges have been laid under the Act in Windsor-Essex.  Of these, five were laid against tobacco vendors in Windsor-Essex for the sale of tobacco to a minor in conjunction with our test shopper program.

On February 6, 2007, the owners of the Tecumseh bar, Johnny Shotz, pleaded guilty to three charges laid under the SFOA for permitting smoking in a prohibited area.  This is the first local conviction under the SFOA in Windsor-Essex.  Each conviction resulted in a fine of $300 plus court costs.  Provincially, between May 31-December 31, 2006, there were 1,902 charges laid under the Act with a total of 590 convictions to date.  The rest of the charges remain in court.

Ministry of Finance Joint Visits - The third round of joint visits between the Health Unit’s tobacco enforcement officers and the Ministry of Finance tobacco tax inspectors will take place from February 28-March 2, 2007.  As during prior visits, officers from each agency will be partnered up to perform visits to a number of tobacco retailers in our area over a three day period.  Extensive procedures and protocols have been put in place collectively by both parties to ensure that each enforcement agency is able to perform their jobs to the best of their abilities.  In conjunction with regular activities, senior level representatives from the Ministry of Health Promotion will be traveling to our area in order to observe these activities to gain a clear understanding of the process that we have developed to better address the issue of contraband tobacco and enforcement measures on a provincial level.

Workplace Wellness

Get Your Butt In Gear! 2007 – Quit & Win Contest - The promotional pieces and marketing strategy for the “Get Your Butt In Gear! 2007” – Quit & Win Contest were developed and distributed to 2,700 people in every workplace through the Wellness Committees.  Smokers interested in quitting are able to enter the contest on-line as well as by mail or fax.  Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRT’s) including the patch, gum, and inhaler will be covered for eligible benefit plan members from March 1, 2007 until April 30, 2007.  To be eligible for one of the 13 regional prizes, participants will have had to remain tobacco-free from March 1 until April 12, 2007.

To compliment the “Get Your Butt In Gear! 2007” contest, the Working Towards Wellness at DCCI program continued to advertise the individualized smoking cessation website, wtw.kickbutts.ca.  In order to encourage participation in the program, all people who sign up between January 1 and April 12 will receive a $10 Tim Horton’s gift certificate and be entered into a draw for a pair of mountain bikes.

Website Update - The website, www.workingotwardwellness.ca, has continued to expand and evolve, as the Think Smart: Injuries Aren’t Accidents initiative pages and other items are added. There were 417 unique visitors in January, which is more than double the number of visitors previous months.  The average visitor returned 2.4 times within the month, and viewed an average of 5.5 pages per visit.  The Health-e-newsletter, a bi-weekly update of new articles, program events and e-bulletins, is sent to a total of 1,400 people.  A new design for the website is still under development, expected to be launched in May.

Losing Weight…the healthy weigh 2006 - On January 23, 2007, a six-month follow-up session for the graduates of the March/06 Losing Weight…the healthy weigh class was held at the Real Canadian Superstore.  A total of 30 past participants were welcomed back with a presentation that highlighted easy, quick, and healthy cooking.  Although the main objective of the follow-up session was to motivate the participants to continue with their weight loss goals, the get-together also provided an opportunity to obtain long-term weight and waist circumference measurements, along with other behavioral and cognitive indicators.  After the completion of the 12-week program, the class achieved an average weight loss of 10 pounds (4.5 kg) and an average decrease in waist circumference of 3 inches (8 cm).  At this six-month follow-up session, the average weight loss remained at 10 pounds (4.5 kg) and the decrease in waist circumference had increased to 5 inches (13 cm).  These results are extremely positive as it indicates that the participants are maintaining the weight loss over the long term.  A grant proposal is being submitted to the Canadian Foundation for Dietetic Research to receive a grant that will assist in the adaptation of this program to an internet-based program. 

INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONTROL

Tuberculosis – Currently, the team is following a newly diagnosed case of active pulmonary TB in a 37-year old female new Canadian from South Korea.  This lady resides in the county and owns a small business.  The team has begun initial assessment of family members and close contacts.  Depending on results on these individuals, testing may expand into the community.

The School Screening program continues to provide weekly clinics for 45-50 new to Ontario residents who plan on attending school in this area.

Outbreak Management – Since October there has been 25 outbreaks in Windsor-Essex County.  Nine were respiratory in long term care facilities and 15 enteric related. 

The team also monitored the possible enteric situation identified in a day care and responded to community concerns as a result of the most recent death of a 2-year old child.  In addition, the team provided onsite counselling to the parents and staff of the day care.  I would like to commend Line Lauzon and the members of Infectious Disease Department for the work that was done during this time.

Vaccine Preventable – In 2006 over $68,000 of provincially funded vaccine was wasted due to poor maintenance of vaccine in physicians’ offices (improper cold chain).  This amount does not include the amount of vaccine wasted due to expiration.  The Biologics team annually inspects and provides education to physicians and their staff to prevent these occurrences.  As a result of our 2006 findings, physicians’ offices will be required to provide more frequent information on their cold chain management.  As well, more unannounced office visits will be made.

HEALTH INSPECTION

To date Windsor-Essex County has only had a few small boil water advisories this year.  All have been resolved to the satisfaction of the Health Unit.

The inspection department has been very busy with mandatory inspections for food safety with 769 compliance inspections and 65 HACCP Audits completed this year.  With the increased emphasis on food safety, I expect that public health inspectors will be very busy in 2007.

In addition, 104 migrant farm-housing inspections have been completed along with the investigation of 75 animal bites involving humans.

Planning for the summer season has begun with the West Nile virus and recreational water programs, which begin in April and May respectively.

CLINICAL SERVICES

Sexual Health Clinic - Orientation has begun for the new manager of Clinical Services, Nichole Geha.  As mentioned last month, Nicole has returned to the Health Unit after leaving and living in California for the past three years.  Nicole had worked in the clinical area as a staff nurse prior to her departure in 2004.  She worked as the manager of Communicable Disease in California prior to returning to our area.

To encourage consistency among area physicians when treating STI’s, a new resource tool has been developed based on the Canadian Guidelines on Sexually Transmitted Infections 2006 edition. The new reference guide will be mailed to physicians as needed.

It is expected that demand for HIV testing will increase as the high profile case of a Windsor resident goes to trial this month.  The clinic continues to provide extended hours on Monday evenings to accommodate client requests.

Dental Program - Teams continue the dental screening in the elementary schools with 50% completion of the Dental Indices Survey for students aged 7 and 13.  In addition, 67 schools have received the dental screening this school year.

Travel Clinic - The Travel Clinic is currently booking into the month of April for first assessments. A total of 10 yellow fever vaccines were administered in February.  Inquiries by the public regarding malarial risk in the Dominican Republic have been addressed with additional information posted on the Health Unit website.

Respectfully submitted,
Deb Bennett, Director