Public Health
As requested, here is some space to talk public health
Setting the Agenda 2010
What's your vision for Toronto?
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Recent Comments
David Robertson on Cycling Infrastructure Desmond Cole on Democratic Reform and Civic… Raj on Welcome to Setting the Agenda … MS on Cycling Infrastructure DN on Cycling Infrastructure
November 22, 2009 at 6:39 pm |
Witness the chaos that was the H1N1 vaccine rollout and alerts. We do a poor job at this, despite what SARS should have taught us. What does this mean for dealing with future pandemics or threats? I have experienced several hydro power blackouts over the years, and see no improvment in communicating to the public or an adequate response, other than mayoral comments that people should check on their elderly or disabled neighbours. We need concrete plans and procedures to deal with crises from blackouts to something more dire.
Where is emergency preparedness at the city level?
November 23, 2009 at 1:50 pm |
It is here:
http://www.toronto.ca/wes/techservices/oem/
November 23, 2009 at 3:21 am |
Comparing the H1N1 response to the SARS experience is unfair to TPH. While limits in the public health services were certainly exposed when SARS hit, Toronto’s emergency preparedness and ability to respond to large disease threats have improved dramatically since ’02-03, despite the confusing messages that so often play out in the media.
Where I agree with you Ken is that the city’s ability to communicate consistent and authentic information to the public at large needs significant improvement. Relying on companies to get important messages out too often leads to general confusion. One idea to help cut out the middle ppl/limit extent of broken telephone while preparing for emergencies might be for the city to incorporate innovative web technologies such as the ability to send automated text messages to all cell phones with a 416 or 647 area code, similar to how the Obama campaign reached out directly to supporters or how the Japanese government sends text alerts around earthquake/tsunami threats.
November 23, 2009 at 8:23 pm |
food security is important if you want to have a healthy population. there need to be more programs that help lower income residents access healthy food alternatives. community gardens connected to centres like the STOP or the Daily Bread are examples of fabulous spaces that help people take ownership over their health through gardening and other programs (cooking, etc). not only do they gain access to fresh, locally grown food; participants benefit from social interactions and continual learning, both of which are important to mental health.