News

News Release - New Health Unit Open to Public Beginning Monday

NORTH BAY, ON - The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (“Health Unit”) will be ready to serve the public at 345 Oak Street West starting Monday, May 14, 2018. As of next week, the Health Unit building at 681 Commercial Street will be closed. 

“Our new Health Unit was designed with the public in mind – their needs, well-being and health,” says Dr. Jim Chirico, Medical Officer of Health. “The new space will allow us to improve our service delivery to our clients in North Bay, as well as...

Youth volunteers to launch e-cigarette educational campaign

The Health Unit youth volunteers are launching a social media campaign to educate youth about e-cigarettes and vaping. This campaign was created by the youth for youth, and aims to communicate key messages selected to resonate with youth. The social media content will be released throughout the next few months, and utilizes graphics, messaging and content drafted by the volunteers. A video, fact sheets and posters were also created to increase the reach of the message.

To follow the campaign, be sure...

News Release - Teaching Local Kids About Healthy Eating: Introducing the Northern Fruit And Vegetable Program

The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (“Health Unit”) is delighted to welcome the Northern Fruit and Vegetable Program (NFVP) to 61 elementary and intermediate schools, including two schools in First Nations communities, throughout the districts of Nipissing and Parry Sound. The NFVP supplies two free servings of fresh vegetables and fruit each week, with a focus on Ontario-grown produce when available, to students from kindergarten through grade eight, reaching over 11,000 students. The...

News Release - Local Increase in Reported Salmonella Sickness Related to Reptile Pet Owners

NORTH BAY, ON – There has been an increase in reported salmonella sickness with owners of reptiles and amphibians in the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (“Health Unit”) area. Salmonella germs are naturally found in the digestive tract of some animals, including lizards and amphibians. It is shed in their droppings which spreads the germs onto their bodies and the environment around them.

“When not careful, handling pet lizards and amphibians can cause serious illness in humans,” says Teresina...

News Release - Local Data Shows Healthy Food Out of Reach for Many in our Community

According to the 2017 Cost of Healthy Eating Report, it costs a local family of four $879 a month to eat a basic healthy diet. For those living with low incomes, there may not be enough money left at the end of the month to get by after paying for rent and food, let alone the other costs of living such as heat, hydro, transportation, telephone, and child care.

“When you don’t have enough money to buy food it impacts your health and well-being,” says Erin Reyce, Public Health Dietitian at the Health...