Supporting and Protecting Health, One Moment at a Time

A new baby. Dinner out with friends. A fresh haircut. Smiling for a family photo.

Life is full of moments, big and small. Public health is part of more of these moments than many people realize.

Find support for life’s many moments

Explore our health topics to find trusted information, services and resources to help you and your family stay healthy through all of life’s moments.

Public health is part of more moments than you might think

Some of our work is easy to see, like restaurant inspections, sexual health clinics, dental services and prenatal classes.

Some happens behind the scenes. Things like planning for emergencies, tracking health issues in our community, responding to disease outbreaks, working with partners to reduce harms from drug poisonings, and sharing information that helps build healthier programs, policies, and communities.

Together, this work helps protect health, prevent illness, and support healthy communities across Simcoe Muskoka.

Public health and health care: what’s the difference?

Health care (like hospitals, doctors' offices and pharmacies) helps people when they are sick or injured. It focuses on one person at a time.

Public health focuses on many people at one time. We help people stay healthy and prevent illness before it starts.

We do this in many ways, including:
 • Supporting healthy pregnancies, children, youth, and families
• Preventing illness and helping stop the spread of disease
• Keeping food, water, and recreation spaces safe
• Promoting mental health and well-being
• Tracking health issues in our community
• Preventing harms from substance use and drug poisonings
• Preparing for and responding to emergencies and emerging health risks
• Sharing trusted information, programs, and services
• Working with partners to build healthier communities
• Helping everyone have the same opportunity to be healthy

What Shapes Our Health?

Health is about more than health care. Things like as housing, income, education, transportation, social connections, and access to services can affect our health and well-being.

Public health works with community members and partners to understand local needs and support programs, services, and policies that help people live healthier lives.

We’re Here to Help in Life’s Many Moments

Browse our health topics to find trusted information, services, and resources.

You can also visit our Services page to learn about other supports we provide, such as:
• Classes, clinics, and training
• Inspections, enforcement, and testing
• Healthy Babies Healthy Children

SMDHU. Supporting and protecting health, one moment at a time.