Nanaimo Public Health

Environment and Climate Change Canada have issued heat warnings for Greater Victoria and the Southern Gulf Islands. Heat warnings for East Vancouver Island and Inland Vancouver Island have been expanded.

Learn how to keep yourself and others safe during extreme heat: https://ow.ly/HbFM50Sxf8q

Symptoms of heat-related illness can be mild to severe.

Mild to moderate symptoms include:
- heavy sweating
- severe headache
- muscle cramps
- extreme thirst
- dark urine

More severe heat-related symptoms require urgent medical attention. If you or someone else experiences these symptoms, call 9-1-1, move to a cool place and cool the person with water and fanning.

Learn more: islandhealth.ca/heat-safety

Warmer weather is on the way. Eligible low income and vulnerable customers can get prepared now by applying for a free portable air conditioner. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3JwgBb0

Here's the July 2024 Healthy Beginnings Schedule! See you soon!

Happy Indigenous People's Day from all of us at Nanaimo Public Health! We celebrate the Snuneymuxw First Nation, Snaw’naw’as First Nation, and Stz’uminus First Nation, and the Mid-Island Metis Nation where our work is based, and celebrate the Indigenous families from all over that we work together with. Your strengths and resiliency inspire us and we celebrate today!

Myth Busting Monday

It’s ! Let’s tackle some misinformation. https://immunize.ca/sites/default/files/Resource%20and%20Product%20Uploads%20(PDFs)/Myth-busting%20Mondays/mbm_gen_in_1_e.png

Community Engagement Survey

The Nanaimo Child Development Centre along with community partners have secured a grant from Inclusion BC to research services for Children/Youth with diverse needs in Nanaimo/Ladysmith area.

The purpose of the community engagement is to gather information from caregivers and professionals regarding:

• what services are available now
• what do you think the gaps are and
• what are your hopes for future services.

Thanks in advance for your participation! Individual responses will only be seen by the independent researcher. summary findings will be available to partners and the wider community in fall 2024.

HTTPS://telus.questionpro.com/nanaimo-diverse-community-services

Services for Children and Youth with Diverse Needs | Services for Children and Youth with Diverse Needs Services for Children and Youth with Diverse Needs

Poison prevention can and does save lives. Check out these ideas to keep your families safe!

This week, learn about the predictable and preventable injuries in children. Did you know that nearly 10,000 poisoning in children five and under were reported to the DPIC in the Island Health region over the last five years?

Dr. Daniel Ovakim, ICU physician at Victoria General and Royal Jubilee Hospitals, is raising awareness of poisoning injuries and sharing parents and caregivers can take.

If you have any concerns or question, the BC Poison Control Centre is available 24 hours every day for advice and information.

Learn more about preventing poisoning injuries here: https://ow.ly/aHkA50S7Kw0

Happy June everyone! Here's our Healthy Beginnings schedule for the month.

Here's the May schedule for the Healthy Beginnings group!

If you are using substances, stay safe by not using alone. You can download the Connect by Lifeguard app, which connects to emergency responders if you become unresponsive while using. Learn more: http://www.bcehs.ca/about/news-stories/stories/two-years-later-lifeguard-app-continues-to-save-lives

Just the facts on vaccines: National Immunization Awareness Week 2024 ​A message from Dr. Celeste Loewe, Medical Officer, Health and Wellness and Gary Housty, Executive Director, Office of the Chief Nursing Officer​

Spring covid boosters are coming to Gabriola Island!

This vaccine is recommended for adults 65 and older, Indigenous adults 55 and older, adults in long-term care homes and assisted living facilities, including people waiting for placement, those six months and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, and anyone who did not receive an XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine between October 2023 and March 2024.

For more information please visit https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register

On April 16th the Barsby and Nanaimo Aquatic Centre Youth Wellness Centres locations had an interruption in telephone services, and as a result all text messages and voicemails were undeliverable. If any school staff or students made contact attempts during this time PLEASE ask them to reach out to us again at 250-619-0651 to ensure their needs are met. We apologize in advance for an inconvenience this may cause.

Thank you!

The Nanaimo Public Health Youth Wellness Team
Phone: 250-619-0651

Here's a Monday dose of inspiration-- Check out this story about some incredible young people and incredible programs. 💪💪

The Red Girl Rising Movement Society aims to empower youth, improve mental well-being and combat the challenges posed by the toxic drug supply. This Resilience and Safety Grant recipient works with Team 700, B.C.’s first competitive Indigenous youth boxing team (another Resilience and Safety Grant recipient) to provide training and encourage members to become champions of their communities.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/h2Sz50RfpGT

Hwialusmutul' Community is hosting our Late Clinic Tomorrow April 3 from 1 - 6:30 pm
We will be offering Child immunizations & limited COVID Vaccinations. Please call 250-715-1024 if you have any questions or want to book an appointment.

April schedule for Healthy Beginnings!
For baby's 8 months and under and their parents/caregivers

There are many people who claim to be nutrition experts, but who can you trust for accurate information? Registered Dietitians are trained health professionals with an education in food and nutrition. In BC, Dietitians must be registered with the College of Dietitians of British Columbia, and are accountable for the information and care they provide.
In celebration of National Dietitians Day, learn what a dietitian can do for you: https://www.dietitians.ca/About/Learn-About-Dietitians

Research shows that kids who eat dinner with family or a parent at least once a day have better health, nutrition and school performance. It can also be a great time to talk! Wondering where to start? Give these Conversation Cards a try! https://www.islandhealth.ca/sites/default/files/healthy-schools/documents/lets-talk-mealtime-conversation-cards-toddlers-preschoolers.pdf

Our nursing students worked with the Healthy Beginnings group and prepared a list of some of the Spring activities in our community! Check them out below!

Strong Start StrongStart Early Learning Centre - https://www.sd68.bc.ca/programs/early-years/strong-start/
LEAP Pass - https://www.nanaimo.ca/parks-recreation-culture/recreation-facilities-schedules/leap-(leisure-economic-access-pass)
Tiny Tots Tiny Tots Playgroup - https://www.countryclubcentre.com/event/tiny-tots-playgroup/
Ladysmith Family and Friends - https://www.familyandfriends.ca/
Harbourfront Library Activities - https://virl.bc.ca/branches/nanaimo-harbourfront/
Superior Farms Egg Hunt - https://superiorfarmsbc.ca/events/

It’s Safe Sleep Week! Setting up your baby's sleep space is an exciting time. Some products, decorating ideas and interior design trends might look cute, but could be dangerous for your baby. Remember to put safety ahead of style. You may think that infant pillows, blankets and other padded items in cribs will keep your baby cozy, but they actually pose a suffocation risk.

Learn more about safe sleep tips: https://ow.ly/MZNZ50QTQNm

In today's digital age, staying informed and involved in your child's online activities is more crucial than ever. That's why we're excited to announce a FREE VIRTUAL INTERNET SAFETY KNOWLEDGE SESSION just for you!
Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity to empower yourself with the knowledge and resources needed to keep your family safe online. Register now and spread the word to other parents in your network!
Pre - register link: https://forms.office.com/r/BuTx5f7CK7

With measles circulating internationally, we are reminding everyone to ensure their routine immunizations are up to date, for yourself and your children, especially before travelling. There are no known measles cases in the Island Health region at this time.

The virus spreads easily, when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes. The virus can stay in the air for several hours after the person has left. Approximately 95 per cent of a population must be immune to prevent outbreaks.

Measles vaccine is available for anyone:
• Born on or after January 1, 1970: eligible for two doses of measles vaccine in lifetime (routinely given at 1 year and 4-6 years old)
• Born before January 1, 1970: likely immune through prior infection as children, eligible for 1 dose if no history of measles immunizations or disease
• Infants age 6 months to 1 year can receive an early extra dose if travelling to an area with measles cases.

You can get immunized at a primary care provider, pharmacist or your local health unit or health centre!

Read more here: https://immunizebc.ca/vaccines/measles-mumps-rubella-mmr

Got a food or nutrition question, but don’t know where to turn? Call or email HealthLink BC (8-1-1) to speak to a registered dietitian about any of your questions related to nutrition. For more information about this service, please visit: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthy-eating-physical-activity/email-healthlinkbc-dietitian

March is National Nutrition Month! Did you know that there are over 10,000 dietitians in Canada? Visit Unlock Food to learn more about what dietitians do and where they work: https://www.unlockfood.ca/