Here’s an update on some of latest OPHA advocacy activities related to the importance of prevention, reproductive health, building codes, anti-racism, Canada Public Health Week, Election 2022 and more!
Strengthening Public Health:
• We were pleased to garner media attention about the importance of prevention and public health through a March 13th news article featuring OPHA’s submission to Ontario’s Budget
2022 consultation.
• Under the headline, Health sector asks for Ontario budget investments beyond hospitals, Global News refers to OPHA’s call on the province: “to reverse funding cuts to public health units made in its 2019 budget. In addition to a surgical backlog, the pandemic has caused a backlog in prevention services provided by public health units, including on oral health, sexual
health and resources for new parents.”
Mitigating Climate Change through Building Codes:
• A big thanks to Helen Doyle and our Environmental Workgroup for their recent submission on changes to Ontario’s Building Code.
• The submission emphasized the importance of increasing building and housing energy efficiency, mandating high-performance green building standards that prioritize sustainability, indoor air quality, thermal comfort and home energy affordability.
• OPHA’s recommendations aimed at mitigating climate change to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve health and reduce inequities.
• On a related note, we’re continuing to work with others to urge the province to protect the Greenbelt and other green spaces by not proceeding with Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass.
Raising Awareness about the Impact of COVID-19 on Reproductive Health:
• Kudos to our Reproductive Health Workgroup, and co-chairs Anna Doyle and Hilary Brown et al, for their March 8th article on how “Pandemic recovery plans must address gaps in reproductive
health”, published on the highly esteemed online platform Healthy Debate. The article was also published here in the London Free Press on March 9th , noting “this is an opportune
moment to re-evaluate how the provision of sexual, reproductive, pregnancy and postpartum care can centre equity and evidence-based approaches.”
• The workgroup also recently hosted a well-attended webinar on Perinatal mental health and
COVID-19.
Adding Food Literacy to the Curriculum:
• We were pleased to see that OPHA’s efforts with colleagues to emphasize food literacy education within Ontario’s school curriculum has paid off with the recent announcement of Ontario’s updated science and technology curriculum for grades 1-9.
• The modernized curriculum now includes “learning related to food literacy in every grade that empowers students to make decisions that affect physical and mental health, consider local
food production, and the scientific processes involved in agriculture.”
• We’re working with others on a proposal to the Minister of Education for the development of food literacy supports for educators.
Promoting Anti- Racism:
• Here’s to Sudbury and District’s Board of Health for adopting a resolution endorsing OPHA’s statement denouncing the hate-filled racist and white supremacist symbols and messages
flowing from the demonstrations in the nation’s capital.
• Thanks to their efforts, both Sudbury and OPHA’s statements were covered recently by the Toronto Star and TVO.
• Consider contributing to the work of OPHA’s Anti-Racism Task Force as they develop OPHA’s submission to the Ontario’s government’s consultation on an updated Anti-Racism Strategy.
You can also complete the government’s online survey by May 4th here.
Influencing Election 2022:
• We’re 80 days away from Ontario’s June 2nd election.
• Along with calling for a well funded and strengthened public health system.
• We’re collaborating with colleagues as part of the Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance,to urge political parties to invest in a chronic disease prevention strategy.
• We’re also completing our draft position paper reflecting what we heard from some 300 front line staff about what’s needed post-pandemic to strengthen Ontario’s public health system
and support healthier communities.
Coming Soon, Canada Public Health Week:
• OPHA is collaborating with provincial and national colleagues to host Canada’s first public health week as way to draw attention to the importance of having strong public health systems across
the country, and recognize and appreciate the various ways public health professionals promote and protect community health and wellbeing.
• Stay tuned for the list of activities planned for April 4-8, 2022. If you’re organization wants to get involved, please contact cgardiner@opha.on.ca.
We’ll continue to keep you informed of OPHA’s efforts to influence healthy public policy and flag opportunities to get involved.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
