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Health Department encourages parents to book eye examinations for school-aged children

Whitby, Ontario – Durham Region Health Department is reminding parents of school-aged children to book an appointment for their child with a local optometrist as vision screening is an important component of a child’s visual health.

The Ontario Association of Optometrists recommends that children should have their first eye examination at six-months old, another examination between two and three years old, and then every year starting at age four. The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) covers a...

Help keep everyone healthy during respiratory illness season

Whitby, Ontario – Respiratory illness season is here, and Durham Region Health Department encourages area residents to protect themselves and their loved ones by getting free respiratory vaccines now available in Durham Region.

This respiratory season, the province continues to expand access to protection against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a common virus that can cause serious illness in infants and older adults.

• Older adults: New this year, all adults 75 and older are recommended to...

Share your thoughts! Health Department launches survey for parents and caregivers

Whitby, Ontario – Durham Region Health Department is inviting parents and caregivers of children three to six-years old to participate in a new survey to help better understand the challenges parents face, and what information and programs are needed to support healthy growth and development for children.

“We’re launching this parenting survey to hear directly from caregivers about their parenting experiences and to learn what supports are needed to help children thrive. This information will...

KI tablets available to those who live and work near nuclear generating stations

Whitby, Ontario – Durham Region Health Department is reminding all residents and businesses located within 10 kilometres of the Pickering and Darlington nuclear generating stations to ensure they have a supply of potassium iodide (KI) pills readily available.

KI pills are a part of nuclear emergency preparedness. In the highly unlikely event of a radioactive iodine release, KI pills help protect the thyroid gland by blocking the uptake of radioactive iodine, reducing the risk of thyroid cancer....

Health Department releases report on climate change and air quality in Durham Region

Whitby, Ontario – Climate change is expected to increase exposure to poor air quality for residents of Durham Region and the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and other Indigenous Peoples with whom we share and steward these lands.

To help learn about, prepare for, and act against climate change, Durham Region Health Department has released the report, Assessing the Impact of Poor Air Quality, available at durham.ca/ClimateAndHealth. Part of the series Climate Change and Health in Durham...