News & Alerts

With Environment Canada issuing a Special Air Quality Statement for our region due to smoke from wildfires across the country, CK Public Health reminds residents that wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone’s health, even at low concentrations. Additionally, people with lung disease (such as asthma) or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors are … Read More

Environment Canada issues a Special Air Quality Statement whenever there is the possibility of poor air quality. Some weather causes an increase in something called “ground-level ozone concentrations.” These make moderate risk air quality levels possible. During this time, individuals may experience symptoms such as: increased coughing throat irritation headaches shortness of breath Children, seniors, and those with cardiovascular or … Read More

Ontario Government and Ontario Association of Optometrists Reach Historic Agreement Changes for Seniors (aged 65 years or older) Effective September 1, 2023 Annual Eye Exams Current: One exam every 12 months for all seniors aged 65 years or older. Change: Seniors with eligible medical conditions affecting their eyes such as macular degeneration, glaucoma or diabetes will continue to receive one exam every … Read More

1 in 5 households in Chatham-Kent do not have enough money to buy nutritious foods. That is nearly 20% of our community. CK Public Health’s new report “Food Insecurity in CK”, shows that in 2022 the average cost to feed a family of four was $242.58 per week or $1050.36 per month. After paying for rent, a family of 4 … Read More

It’s National Addictions Awareness Week! Our aim this week (and all year long, but ESPECIALLY this week) is to raise awareness about and reduce the stigma that surrounds substance use and addiction. Each year, National Addictions Awareness Week has a theme. This year, that theme is a “Community of Caring” – where we focus on the idea that working together … Read More

Public Health Saves Lives Public Health Saves Lives in many ways. Preventing diseases, promoting healthy behaviours, and protecting the health and safety of the environments we live, work and play in!  This includes making sure that rules, regulations, and standards that exist to keep our community and its residents healthy and safe are being followed. Occasionally, this could mean having … Read More

‘Tis the season… for respiratory viruses! There is a surge of respiratory infections in Chatham-Kent right now, and we’re not just talking about the regular increase in colds and flus for this time of year. What’s happening locally? There are increased numbers of respiratory illness-related emergency department visits, and we have an early start to the flu season with a … Read More

We’ve all been there before, we’re out for dinner at our favourite restaurant or enjoying our time walking the aisles of our favourite department store and then you hear it – an uncontrollable, inconsolable, crying baby. If you’ve been in this position before, maybe you’ve had some of the following thoughts run through your mind: What are they doing wrong … Read More

Babies Cry. We know this. What we aren’t always prepared for is the amount that some babies cry.  In fact, there is a stage of life where babies – yes, even healthy, happy babies -cry… A LOT. This stage begins around two weeks of age, peaks at about two months of age and eventually, levels off by around four or … Read More

Most of the time, when we hear about someone falling, it is someone in their older age. But did you know that falls are NOT actually a normal part of aging? More grey hair, an increase in fine lines and wrinkles are things that we can expect -and embrace- as we get older, but taking an unexpected tumble is something … Read More

“Trick or Treat!” Every child loves to sing this out on Halloween in return for a candy treat. And although the idea of children bringing home such large amounts of candy all in one night can be overwhelming for many, it doesn’t have to be scary! Don’t let the feat of cavities haunt you, here are some helpful hints for … Read More

Many of the symptoms of breast cancer are invisible and not noticeable without a professional screening like a mammogram. You can get this screening done locally at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance. If you are aged 50-75: Cancer Care Ontario will mail women of this age group, inviting you to get screened for breast cancer through the Ontario Breast Screening Program. … Read More