The medical officer of health for Huron Perth is marking Public Health Week by promoting public health's vital role in building healthy communities.
Dr. Miriam Klassen is proud to celebrate the week of April 7 to 11 and to reflect on the successful merger of the two health units five years ago.
“As we celebrate five years of Huron Perth Public Health, I am deeply grateful for the unwavering dedication of our staff,” added Klassen. “Every program and service we deliver is fueled by their expertise and compassion. It is through their efforts that we can support the health and well-being of our local communities, and I am proud of what we have achieved together. I also want to extend my appreciation to the board of health members for their leadership and support.”
Klassen said the merger took place in January of 2020, prior to provincial programs that were set up to facilitate such amalgamations.
"Trying to knit together two separate health units and all the programs, et cetera, that's a lot of work," she pointed out. "And then the pandemic was just an unprecedented amount of work, and we were receiving new information and new tasks just constantly. It was like drinking from a fire hose."
Klassen revealed that the health unit quickly ramped up communicable disease prevention and immunization programs.
"But it really paused and greatly slowed down the ability to move ahead in other programs and services in the health unit," she continued. "It was a very, very challenging time. I think it was made harder because we had just merged, but I really applaud the staff."
Klassen pointed out that public health has three core functions, which are promotion, prevention, and protection.
"We're talking about a discipline which is generally applied at the population level and really focuses more on prevention," she outlined. "So adding years to life and life to years by supporting people to be as healthy as they can be."
She pointed to various programs aimed at ensuring that everyone in Huron and Perth has the opportunity to live a healthy life.
"We're inspecting restaurants and pools and beaches," she shared. "We are supporting young families through our Healthy Babies, Healthy Children program. You know, we're ensuring that vaccine-preventable diseases and other infectious diseases are controlled through immunization programs.
She added that the foundation of their work rests on understanding and reporting on the latest health trends in the Huron Perth region.
"So we're looking at the data, we're looking at trends, identifying current public health concerns," she said. "Right now, measles and opioid poisoning, and this relies on the science of epidemiology."
As HPPH looks to the future, Klassen said the organization remains committed to its mission of advancing health and inspiring change
"So an ounce of prevention is worth, you know, a pound of cure," she stated. "And we're always looking at the data and trying to share, you know, what are the current things that we should be concerned about? Where are the opportunities where we could strengthen, you know, our system to support everybody in being as healthy and happy as possible."
Klassen added that communication is key when it comes to the success of their amalgamated public health system.
"You can't over-communicate. So, really looking for those effective communication channels among staff and with community partners and residents and the funding ministries and with your board, communicate, communicate, communicate and be prepared. It's a long process."