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
October 2025
Pursuing financial sustainability through leveraging technology
According to a recent EY Canada article by Christopher Burgh and Maureen Palmer, Canada’s health care systems “face significant financial pressures from demographic changes and cost inflation.”
While the public health and health care sectors play different roles—public health focuses on preventing illness and promoting well-being, while health care provides treatment once people are sick— there are some commonalities. Key among them that the health of Canadians has worsened putting greater demand on health care and public health. A difference though is that while there has been increased investment in health care services (though not enough to address the growth in need), there has been reduction in inflation-adjusted terms for public health over the past 10 years—on the order of 18% reduction. Public health is faced with growing need for its work and less capacity to do it.
Public health, therefore, could benefit greatly from efficiency gains. Many expert groups, including EY Canada quoted above, highlight that leveraging innovations and digital investments are key to making these efficiency gains. Health services have typically lagged behind the private sector in technology adoption (Medium). This creates an opportunity to harness mature technologies that have already been optimized and implement them to swiftly realize cost reductions.
Public Heath Sudbury & Districts embarked on this journey with approval of the 2025 Operating Budget and plans to accelerate progress in the next 18 months. We remain committed to serving our community with excellence, ensuring programs and services continue to evolve to meet local needs in spite of fiscal challenges. As this work advances, we will keep our communities informed and engaged.
M. Mustafa Hirji MD, MPH, FRCPC
Acting Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer
Need to do
Keep yourself safe from illness this fall
Beginning October 27, the COVID-19 and influenza vaccine will be available to everyone six months of age and older who live, work, or study in Ontario. Protect yourself and others and prevent the spread of illness by
- staying up to date with your vaccinations
- staying home if you’re until symptoms are improving for 24 hours (48 hours if gastrointestinal) and no fever is present and wearing a mask for a total of 10 days after symptom onset
- improving the ventilation in indoor spaces by keeping windows open, when possible, and having heating, ventilation, and air conditional (HVAC) systems set to “on” rather than “auto”
- wearing a well-fitted mask in crowded indoor public settings
- covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue and discard used tissues immediately in the garbage, and then wash your hands
- washing your hands frequently and thoroughly for at least 15 seconds
Learn more about personal protective measures
Stay up to date with Public Health!
Follow our social media channels devoted to providing engaging news and updates about our programs, services, and clinics. We also have dedicated French accounts! Find us PublicHealthSD or @SantePubliqueSD.
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Need to know
Our work is grounded by the strategic priorities of impactful relationships, equal opportunities for health, excellence in public health practice, and healthy and resilient workforce. Learn more about how we collaborate to improve population health, support awareness and advocacy, and demonstrate our accountability and effectiveness in our 2024-2028 Strategic Plan.
We establish relationships that lead to impactful partnerships, collaborations, and engagement.
Celebrating Environmental Public Health Week: Safe Spaces, Healthy Communities
From September 22 to 28, Public Health joined communities across Canada in celebrating Environmental Public Health Week. This year’s theme, “Safe Spaces, Healthy Communities,” was a perfect reminder that protecting public health is a collaborative effort.
Every day, our public health inspectors work with businesses, schools, municipalities, and community partners to keep our environments safe. From ensuring clean drinking water and inspecting restaurants to supporting healthy housing and responding to environmental health concerns, their work depends on strong relationships and collaboration.
Behind the scenes and on the front lines, environmental public health professionals play a crucial role in preventing illness before it starts. Their work helps ensure that the places where we eat, live, work, and play are healthy and safe. We are proud of our public health inspectors and their dedication and commitment to public health.
We strive for health equity by championing equal opportunities for health.
Our commitment to Francophone communities
Last month, Public Health proudly demonstrated our commitment to providing French-language public health services. Led by our Francophone Advisory Committee, staff gathered for an internal Knowledge Exchange “en français” to share ideas, strengthen connections, and celebrate the important work being done to serve Francophone communities across our service area.
The event also coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag, which was celebrated on September 25 and followed a flag raising event at our office. Invited guest, Joanne Gervais, from l’Association canadienne-francaise de l’Ontario (ACFO) du Grand Sudbury, presented on the history of the Franco-Ontarian flag. Our staff shared their expertise on a wide range of topics, including, for example, on our agency’s commitment to active offer of French-language services, on tangible efforts in building relationships with partner organizations who provide services to francophone newcomers, and on nutrition in the North.
Franco-Ontarians continue to enrich our communities through their traditions, innovations, and vibrant culture. We are proud to celebrate their lasting contributions and honour the strength of our Francophone community.
We strive for ongoing excellence in local public health practice.
Strengthening tobacco and vaping laws to protect youth
Public Health Sudbury & Districts, as part of the North East Tobacco Control Area Network (NE TCAN), recently provided feedback to the Government of Canada on the third legislative review of the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (TVPA).
The feedback focused on the need for stronger rules and enforcement to reduce access to high-nicotine and flavoured vaping products that appeal to youth.
Key proposals included
- stricter enforcement at borders and online retail platforms
- banning high-nicotine and flavoured vapour products
- implementing automatic prohibition orders for repeat offenders
- strengthening collaboration between federal and provincial enforcement bodies
- increasing transparency through public non-compliance reporting
- developing culturally appropriate tobacco control strategies for Indigenous communities
These changes would help close enforcement gaps, prevent young people from starting to vape in the first place, and support people trying to quit. Together, stronger laws and prevention programs can help protect the health of our communities.
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This item was last modified on October 27, 2025