Food Insecurity in Chatham-Kent

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

Creating a “Community of Caring” in CK

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

Sorry We Missed You…

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

Respiratory Viruses and Protection in Layers

‘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

What is with That Crying Baby?

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

Take a Break, Never Shake: The Period of Purple Crying

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

Falls: Not a Normal Part of Aging

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

Smile, It’s Halloween!

“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

National Mammography Day

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

Breast Cancer: Knowing Your Risk Could Help Reduce It!

Knowing Your Risk Could Help Reduce It!  October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Let’s take a moment to celebrate the progress that has been made against breast cancer, while not forgetting that 1 in 8 Canadian women are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. 1 in 8. When we think about our friend group, or the … Read More

Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program – Something to Smile About!

Oral health is more than just a pretty smile. At CK Public Health, we know how much the health of our teeth, gums and mouths can affect our overall health, and really, our quality of life. Oral health can affect how and what we choose to eat, if and how we choose to speak and socialize, and poor oral health … Read More

Road Safety Tips for Fall Harvest

It’s that time of the year again, where you may be sharing the road with farm vehicles and equipment as they make their way to and from their fields. Being that Chatham-Kent is such an agriculturally rich landscape, we thought it may be best to share some road safety tips when it comes to Fall Harvest. Slow down immediately when … Read More