Ban food ads targeting children, health unit says
The Simcoe Muskoka District Board of Health has passed a resolution asking provincial and federal levels of government to ban commercial advertising of food and beverages to children under the age of 13.

The board learned of growing concern that advertising of nutrient-poor foods aimed at children may be contributing to obesity levels that will create health problems in adulthood.

The health unit has also expressed interest in participating in provincial discussions to explore the issue of food advertising aimed at children.

Public health nutritionist Renée Gaudet reported that the local health unit has been developing a number of programs to improve nutrition among children over the last year including healthy food policies with school boards, and work with municipalities to develop healthy food choices at snack bars and vending machines in municipal recreation centres. In addition, the health unit has developed its own internal healthy eating policy.

New plans to rate health unit performance
The health unit will be borrowing from a business management model to measure its own performance. Dr. Kathleen Dooling, medical resident at the health unit, told the board of health there had been a commitment made to measure progress related to the outcomes identified in the strategic plan.

Performance report cards will be issued examining four main areas of performance:
·   the health status of the community and how programs are impacting on public health
·   effectiveness of the use of human resources and funds
·   public awareness and satisfaction with health unit services
·   Effectiveness of the implementation of programs in the community.

West Nile virus funding request supported by municipalities
A number of municipalities within Simcoe County have written to voice their support of a resolution by the board of health calling for continued provincial support for West Nile virus programs.

The resolution, passed in February, called on the province to commit itself to funds for control and surveillance of the mosquito-borne disease.

A five-year funding package for West Nile virus programs expired in March this year, and is being replaced by a broader vector-borne disease prevention program at the ministry of health.

The health unit’s West Nile surveillance program has begun for the summer season. Information is available by clicking the link provided.