Public Health in Focus
Public Health in Focus is a newsletter by Public Health Sudbury & Districts to inform our community on the public health issues of the day and is issued following our regular Board of Health meetings.
Words for Thought
June 2025
Make America Healthy Again: Threats and a Surprising Opportunity?
The Trump administration in the United States has drawn considerable scrutiny and criticism for much of their public health agenda: opposition to vaccines, downsizing public health infrastructure, and use of misinformation. However, a curious area where their government has aligned with science and evidence is in recognizing the impact of unhealthy foods and lack of physical activity in driving chronic disease.
While behaviour change campaigns are popular ways to address these causes of ill health, upstream interventions or policy measures such as taxation of unhealthy foods and restrictions on their sale are likely to be more effective, just as similar policies were effective against tobacco. However, implementing such policies has always been difficult given the political power of corporations within the food and entertainment industries.
In light of that, it is interesting to note the unpredictability of the Trump administration when it comes to traditional free market economic policy, and its demonstrated willingness to use government power in direct ways to push forward its goals. This raises a surprising possibility for public health: could a strong policy and regulatory stance on chronic disease prevention in children emerge from the current US government?
If the United States were to implement bold policy action on unhealthy foods or physical inactivity in the interest of protecting children’s health, it could open a window of opportunity for similar momentum in Canada. This is an opportunity for which we should keep an eye open.
At the same time, any government willing to use sweeping powers to advance public health goals in one area may also apply those powers in ways that undermine other core principles; indeed, we are already seeing signs of undermining evidence-based vaccination strategies and access to reliable, science-based information.
As we prepare for the possibility of shifts in the policy landscape, Canada must be ready both to seize opportunities for chronic disease prevention and to take strong action to defend vaccinations as well as evidence-based information ecosystems.
M. Mustafa Hirji MD, MPH, FRCPC
Acting Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer
Need to do
Protect yourself from heat and poor air quality this summer
As hot, humid weather arrives, take steps to stay safe from both extreme heat and poor air quality. Early summer poses a higher risk because our bodies have not yet adapted to the conditions
When high heat, humidity, and poor air quality are combined, the health risks are even greater. Air quality in Sudbury and districts is generally good; however, wildfire smoke is becoming an increasing concern.
Read our tips to stay safe and healthy this summer
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Need to know
We establish relationships that lead to impactful partnerships, collaborations, and engagement.
Protecting youth with healthy communities
Creating a healthy community starts with giving young people the best chance to thrive by strengthening the environments where they grow, learn, and play. When youth feel supported by their families, schools, peers, and those around them, they are less likely to engage in harmful behaviours. That’s why Public Health is part of a group of community partners that have come together to bring the Icelandic Prevention Model to the region through a five-year partnership with Planet Youth. The project will be implemented across Sudbury, Espanola, and Manitoulin Island.
The Icelandic Prevention Model is grounded in what public health calls an “upstream” approach to tackle the broader social, economic, and environmental factors that influence health outcomes. Instead of focusing on individual behaviours or offering help after harm occurs, upstream prevention looks at what can be done to create conditions that protect youth in the first place. It is a proven, evidence-based approach that has led to dramatic reductions in youth substance use in Iceland.
The local project, co-led by Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre and Sudbury District Restorative Justice, represents a key step forward to promote overall well-being through evidence-based, community-led action.
Learn more about Planet Youth and the Icelandic Prevention Model
This work is grounded by our strategic priority of impactful relationships. Through this work, we are collaborating in a way that is meaningful to identify, plan, implement, and evaluate initiatives and services to work toward improving the health of the population.
We strive for health equity by championing equal opportunities for health.
June marks the beginning of Pride season
Pride represents the persistent pursuit of dignity, rights, and visibility of 2SLGBTQIA+ people in our area and around the world. It’s a celebration of resilience, acceptance, diversity, and inclusivity.
Since launching the Positive Space initiative in June 2023, Public Health has taken steps to create safer, more inclusive environments for clients and staff.
Staff have been evaluating this work and shared a recent update with the Board of Health on the impact of our actions (PDF), including visible anti-discrimination signage, more inclusive intake forms, updating language in our policies, and encouraging sharing of pronouns. Early findings show strong staff support (97%) and positive client experiences (88%).
Looking ahead
We also acknowledge that there is more work to be done. Feedback gathered highlighted the need for more training and dialogue. Over the next year, we will work together with our partners and people with lived and living experience to explore the assets, needs, and priorities of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in our service area, and actively share and use local data and past research to inform and support action.
Guide for newcomers in development
Last month, Public Health staff presented a draft of our newly developed Guide for Newcomers at the Sudbury Local Immigration Partnership Council meeting. The Guide is designed to support individuals and their families who are new to Canada to help them better understand and access public health services available across the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts. The goal is to make it easier for newcomers to find trusted health information, navigate services, and connect with resources that support their health and well-being.
Looking ahead
Staff continue to collect feedback to shape the final version of the Guide, including two community consultation sessions with newcomers to occur over the summer.
Initiatives such as this one showcase our commitment to our strategic priority of equal opportunities for health by supporting awareness, education, advocacy, and policy development to address the root causes of health inequities.
We strive for ongoing excellence in local public health practice
Ontario Building Code activity
Public Health oversees and enforces rules under the Ontario Building Code for the proper installation and maintenance of private on-site sewage systems.
By properly maintaining and caring for sewage systems, residents are helping to protect lakes, rivers, and streams, as well as ground water, which are vital resources to us all. Last month, Public health staff processed
- 26 sewage system permits
- 7 renovation applications
- 5 consent applications
Permit applications can be obtained by contacting Public Health and are also available online.
Apply for a permit to build, repair, or change a system online
Safe water
In May, Public Health contacted 22 residents about private drinking water samples that showed unsafe results. Our public health inspectors also followed up on 8 adverse test results from regulated water systems and investigated 1 lead exceedance at a local daycare. One (1) boil water order and 5 drinking water advisories were issued in May.
Reminder: Test your private drinking water
If you use a private well or other private water source, it’s important to test your drinking water regularly to make sure it’s safe. Contaminated water can carry bacteria, viruses, or harmful chemicals. We are pleased to be participating in Public Health Ontario’s pilot phase of their new online Water Testing Portal. This secure, user-friendly platform allows individuals who rely on wells and other private drinking water systems to easily submit their information and access their test results online.
Online Water Testing Portal (Public Health Ontario)
Through a variety of Public Health services, we demonstrate our strategic priority of excellence in public health practice, including demonstrating accountability and monitoring the effectiveness, impact, and quality of our programs and services.
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This item was last modified on June 17, 2025