Annual Report Take our courses. Food safety training: ext. 470 Pool safety (online): ext. 470 Prenatal classes (in person and online): ext.

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1 Annual Report 2017 The Brant County Health Unit strives to deliver high quality programs and services. With new Ontario Public Health Standards, the Health Unit continues to work diligently to improve the health and well-being of the population of Brantford and Brant County. Jo Ann Tober, Executive Director Dr. Malcolm Lock, Medical Officer of Health 2017 approved budget From dental checks, to flu shots, to well water testing; our staff and students are passionate about sharing public health information. Call us: Visit our clinics Immunization General: ext. 449 Flu: ext. 446 Travel: ext. 453 Quit smoking: ext. 416 Sexual health: ext. 471 TB skin test: ext. 448 Take our courses Food safety training: ext. 470 Pool safety (online): ext. 470 Prenatal classes (in person and online): ext. 463 Read our reports Beach postings Brant Health Atlas Inspection reports Find information Dental services: ext. 450 Family health line: ext. 464 Infectious diseases: ext. 454 Free Naloxone kits: 471 Well water testing: ext. 470 Get parenting support Family drop-in centres Breastfeeding clinics Teen prenatal

2 Crock Pot Clubs At Crock Pot Clubs, Community Health Brokers share tips and tricks for cooking healthy meals for individuals or couples using crock pots with simple, yet healthy, recipes. Most sessions are held at Brant Housing seniors buildings, the Seniors Resource Centre, and local libraries. According to the Community Health Brokers, the participants already know what they need to be doing; the clubs are more of an opportunity for them to confirm they are on the right track. The clubs also provide a much needed social time. Besides nutrition, the groups also discuss topics such as safe drinking guidelines, fall prevention, active living, disease prevention - all issues that seniors deal with. In 2017 the Health Unit provided 14 crockpot cooking sessions at 12 weeks per session. Pop Up Markets Health Unit staff and Community Food Educators spent several evenings between Sept. 28 and Oct. 25 participating in The Markets Around Town (MAT) project. The pop-up markets were a joint initiative between the Brant Food System Coalition and Grand River Healthy Communities in partnership with the neighborhood hubs. These pop-up markets gave people in limited access neighbourhoods the opportunity to buy fresh foods at wholesale prices in their own backyards. Results from a customer satisfaction survey found that: 91% felt that prices were fair 94% agreed or strongly agreed that they liked receiving recipe ideas at the market 99% were satisfied or very satisfied with the market locations Organizers were also able to gain information about food and location options for future projects.

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4 Harm Reduction Part of the Health Unit s work in harm reduction activities include collaborating on the community drug strategy with multiple external partners. The needle exchange program, and naloxone distribution, are enhancing access and improving health outcomes. In 2017 the Health Unit distributed 172 naloxone kits. Staff also collaborated with Six Nations Public Health and the Brantford Food Bank to provide several group/individual Naloxone trainings including kit distribution. Staff also conducted 35 educational sessions on naloxone and opioid overdose response for community partners and presented at two large events, the Fentanyl/Opioid Crisis Community Forum at the Sanderson Centre and St. Leonard s Community Services 7th Annual Addictions Mental Health Forum. Grand River Healthy Communities The Brant County Health Unit has been proud to be a part of the Grand River Healthy Communities initiative with our community partners, to make Brantford a healthier city saw the group host a celebration breakfast in April, as well as community forums throughout the year. These forums focused on priority areas such as Food Security, Active Living, Systems for Health and Wellbeing, and Prosperity. Each forum brought people together to work on strategies to enhance programs and services in each priority area. As a result of the forums, various working groups formed and are working on projects and examining community issues more deeply.

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6 Achievements in our Community Public health impacts our community everywhere. Below are just some of our activities in Dental Services 7,302 children screened for dental health at local schools Infectious Diseases and Immunizations 446 doses of Influenza given 251 Tuberculosis (TB) tests administered 392 cases of Chlamydia case managed 68 cases of Gonorrhoea investigated 86 cases of Hepatitis C examined 119 cases of Influenza case managed Healthy Living and Safety 4,700 children reached with free cooking classes 430 new clients treated in tobacco cessation services Family Health 1,206 infant hearing tests conducted 1,934 home visits completed Inspections 13 standing water complaints investigated 1,818 well water test bottles distributed 91.1% inspections completed for high-risk food premises 92.4% inspections completed for medium-risk food premises 89.4% inspections completed for low-risk food premises Sexual Health 541 visits at high school sexual health clinics Our Mission We provide health promotion, protection, and disease prevention programs and services designed to help all members of the community achieve and maintain optimal health and well-being. Our Vision We strive to provide excellence in public health, exemplifying the spirit of innovation, quality, and collaboration.

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8 Board of Health 2017 Board of Health Members Back Row: Councillor Willem Bouma, Vice-Chair County Council Appointee Helen Mulligan Provincial Appointee Councillor Robert Chambers County Council Appointee Front Row: Greg Anderson, Chair Provincial Appointee The role of boards of health is to support and protect the physical and mental health and well-being, resiliency and social connectedness of the health unit population, with a focus on promoting the protective factors and addressing the risk factors associated with health outcomes. - Ontario Public Health Standards, 2018 Janice Mills Provincial Appointee Councillor David Neumann City Council Appointee Absent: Councillor Larry Kings City Council Appointee Councillor John Sless City Council Appointee Ruby Toor Provincial Appointee Brant Health Unit