COVID-19
Since 2020 COVID-19 has remained a central focus for Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.
Simcoe Muskoka Opioid Strategy
The Simcoe Muskoka Opioid Strategy is a collaborative partnership formed to address the growing crisis of opioid use and drug overdoses in our region. For the past few years, the membership has provided updates to the original 2018 Action Plan with the Final Report Simcoe Muskoka Opioid Strategy (SMOS) A Report on Actions (2018-2021) released in 2022. With the great need that exists there is still much progress to be made on many of the Simcoe Muskoka opioid strategy goals; this membership has committed to continue the activities and address new priorities as they emerge in this region.
Climate Change
Climate change is causing a wide range of impacts on physical and mental health related to extreme weather, extreme temperature, air quality, infectious diseases, water and food impacts, ultraviolet radiation, degraded determinants of health and expanding inequities. Simultaneously, addressing climate change with a health and equity lens presents enormous opportunities for our communities to be healthy and thriving. This requires intersectoral collaboration and strong leadership from Public Health authorities, as described by Canada’s Chief Medical Officer of Health’s Report – Mobilizing Public Health Action on Climate Change in Canada. This includes local analysis and impact in Simcoe-Muskoka (A Changing Climate: Assessing health impacts & vulnerabilities due to climate change within Simcoe Muskoka) and National climate-health assessments which highlight the growing impact in our communities and abroad.
Health Equity
Many of the causes of poor health and health inequities relate to the social, physical and environmental conditions around us. These are the social determinants of health, and they include things like income, education, employment, food, housing and racism. These determinants influence our health and the opportunities we have to be healthy. The health unit is one of many partners in the community taking action to address the social determinants of health to reduce health inequities.
Baby Friendly Initiative
The Baby Friendly Initiative is a global program created by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in response to low rates of breastfeeding and infant mortality. This program encourages and recognizes facilities that offer an optimal level of care for mothers and infants.
Public Health Inspection Report Disclosure
Inspection Connection is designed to provide the public with information about inspections at food premises, child care, recreational water facilities, recreational camps, personal service settings and drinking water systems in Simcoe County and the District of Muskoka. A summary of routine, follow up and complaint inspection reports, in addition to any enforcement related activity, are available to view online at inspectionconnection.ca and are posted onsite at the facility with a certificate of inspection (green sign).
Oral Health
Oral health care is important at every age. Poor oral health effects can lead to many public health issues. The health unit supports publicly funded dental programs, and provides dental services to Ontario residents to children on the Healthy Smiles Ontario program, as well as seniors on the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program. Services are offered at oral health clinics in Barrie and Gravenhurst, as well as dental screenings in clinics and schools throughout our community.
