Fall 2022

We are pleased to launch a new Healthy Communities eBulletin for municipal partners. This and future versions of the bulletin will be archived on the HPEPH website. Please encourage your internal and external contacts to subscribe for quarterly healthy communities updates!

In This Issue
  1. Subscribe for Future Bulletins
  2. 2022 Municipal Election Primer
  3. Resources for Healthy, Vibrant Communities
  4. COVID-19 Update

Our New Healthy Communities Bulletin

HPEPH strives to promote healthy communities in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties (HPEC) by informing the development of healthy public policies, collaborating with partners and community members, and by sharing evidence, local data, and expertise to advance common goals related to health and well-being. To help achieve this goal, we are excited to launch a new Healthy Communities e-Bulletin.

This edition represents a sample of the Bulletin format and content that you can expect from the Healthy Communities team moving forward. If you are a municipal partner, member of a community organization or group, or are a resident interested in developing healthy communities – this e-Bulletin is for you! The Healthy Communities Bulletin will be issued quarterly and will aim to share information and resources that will help us work together to build healthy, vibrant communities.

Interested in receiving future Healthy Communities Bulletins?

If you are interested in receiving future editions of this e-Bulletin, please complete our subscription form. If there are other staff members in your organization or community partners who would be interested in this information, please forward this email along and invite them to subscribe.

2022 Municipal Election Primer

The launch of this sample e-bulletin aligns with upcoming municipal elections taking place on Monday, October 24, 2022. Municipal governments have a unique role in developing programs, policies, and partnerships that can directly influence the health and well-being of individuals and communities. To underscore the importance of municipal elections and leadership, HPEPH has created a Municipal Election Primer that encourages HPEC residents, community partners, and municipal election candidates to:
  • get informed about the role of municipal government and local health issues;
  • be heard by expressing ideas, needs, and concerns; and
  • make health matter by casting their vote.

The Primer provides an overview of key issues that contribute significantly to health and well-being in HPEC, and are influenced by municipal decisions, along with possible evidence-informed actions to address the issues. Topics discussed in the Primer include:

  • income and the cost of living;
  • housing and homelessness;
  • mental health and substance use; and
  • inclusive communities.

The 2022 Municipal Election Primer is also available online as a downloadable PDF, at hpePublicHealth.ca/advocacy.

Resources for Healthy, Vibrant Communities

In each Bulletin, we will try to provide relevant resources that may be helpful to your work. In this edition, we have included a resource that is relevant to two of the issues discussed in the Primer – income/cost of living, as well as housing and homelessness. We are also sharing a guide for community-based COVID-19 recovery:

  1. Tamarack Communities Ending Poverty Network

The Communities Ending Poverty is a network of more than 400 municipalities represented by 90+ regional members working collaboratively to end poverty in their communities. It includes members from across Canada, including local members from the City of Kingston and Durham Region.

  1. Tamarack Guide for Community-Based COVID Recovery

A Guide for a Community-Based COVID Recovery explores both why and how cities and communities have become such a force in community change, especially now during COVID-19. With an eye to the future, this guide captures this momentum, attempting to do so in practical and useful ways.

Written by staff from the Tamarack Institute, this guide explores 10 stories of how communities are working together, 10 ideas on community-based recovery, and 10 useful resources for cities and communities interested in citizen-led community planning and innovation as you adapt and recover from COVID-19.

COVID-19 Update

While this e-Bulletin will not be solely focused on COVID-19 updates, we will strive to share information related to the pandemic response and vaccines, as appropriate.

Limited appointments of bivalent COVID-19 vaccine available in the coming weeks

As announced by the province on September 11, bivalent COVID-19 vaccine is now available to select eligible individuals, as supply allows. The general public aged 18 and over will become eligible for bivalent vaccine on September 26. Please continue to check hpePublicHealth.ca/vaccine-booking for information about upcoming clinics.

Revised COVID-19 guidance focuses on prevention of all respiratory illness

As announced on August 31, 2022, the province has updated public health guidance to manage COVID-19 during the respiratory illness season this fall. Updated guidance has a broadened focus with an aim to reduce transmission of all infectious illnesses, not just COVID-19. In summary, the new guidance indicates:

  • Everyone should stay home when they feel sick – whether or not they test positive for COVID-19. This means staying home until:
    • Their symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours for nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea), and
    • They do not have a fever, and
    • They do not develop any additional symptoms.
  • After having symptoms, additional precautions may be recommended for a total of 10 days following the day symptoms started (or 10 days after the date you were tested for COVID-19 if you don’t have any symptoms). Take a self-assessment for more information on precautions that might be recommended for your situation.

We look forward to continuing to work with you to make all communities in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties, healthy communities. If you would like to reach out to us directly please email healthycommunities@hpeph.ca.

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people.