2024 Durham Health Check-Up! available online

I’m very proud to present the 2024 Durham Health Check-Up! which is now available online. The report highlights key achievements from across Durham Region Health Department programs and services over the past year.

The Health Department team is made up of talented and dedicated professionals who work with our local community. We have many types of roles within our team including medical and dental professionals, public health nurses, public health inspectors, nutritionists, epidemiologists, paramedics and more.

One of our key accomplishments for 2024 included the Health Department collaborating with regional and municipal partners on training exercises for extreme heat and respiratory emergencies. These exercises help to enhance preparedness, test response strategies and strengthen coordination to safeguard public health.

A few other highlights for 2024 include:

• Performing nearly 8,000 food safety inspections at local food establishments.
• Launching a comprehensive public health education campaign to raise awareness and promote prevention measures for Lyme disease.
• Enforcing the Smoke-Free Ontario Act by providing evidence to support court decisions aimed at retailers that supplied tobacco and vape products to underage people.
• Managing rising syphilis cases and their contacts in a confidential and sensitive way and educating other public health units in response to this emerging issue.
• And, facilitating cognitive behavioural therapy groups to help improve the mental health of prenatal and postpartum parents experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety.

I invite you to read the full report to learn more about what we do to protect and promote the health of people in Durham. I hope you enjoy learning about the accomplishments and work of your Health Department.