News Archive
SubscribeDeep Cold Overnight Prompts Health Unit to Issue 2016’s Third Cold Weather Alert
London, ON – With the Environment Canada forecast calling for overnight temperatures to drop to a low of -17C, the Medical Officer of Health has issued the Middlesex-London region’s third COLD WEATHER ALERT of 2016. This Alert will come into effect this evening as temperatures drop below -15C and will be lifted on Thursday morning as the mercury climbs above -15C, on its way to a forecasted daytime high of -3C.
Cold Weather Alert Issued As Winter Chill Descends On London Region Tonight
London, ON – The London region is getting an overdue dose of winter this week, first with yesterday’s snow and now with the frigid cold air mass moving into the area in its wake. As a result of the Environment Canada forecast issued for the next few days, the Medical Officer of Health has issued the second local Cold Weather Alert of 2016. The Alert will come into effect this evening as temperatures drop below -15C, dropping to an overnight low of -20C with windchill values of -29 and will remain in effect until Sunday morning, when the temperature is expected to reach a daytime high of -10C.
Western Sets New World Record for STI Testing in a Single Day
London, ON – Just a few days ahead of Valentine’s Day, the Western University community has broken a three year-old world record, for screening the most people for sexually transmitted infections (STI) ever in a single day. The new record, which saw 813 people get tested, was set last night at Western’s University Community Centre, topping the previous mark of 767 set on Valentine’s Day, 2013 in Basingstoke, England. The screening, conducted by Middlesex-London Health Unit staff in collaboration with Western University Student Council, took 12 hours and wrapped up just after 9:00 p.m. It was the second time the MLHU had partnered with Western at attempting a new record, falling just short in 2014.
Middlesex-London Health Unit Achieves Baby-Friendly Initiative Designation
London, ON – The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) announced the achievement of a milestone today. The Breastfeeding Committee for Canada awarded the local public health agency its Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) designation, recognizing the MLHU’s commitment to supporting, promoting and protecting breastfeeding and to working with local families. The designation makes the MLHU Ontario’s 17th health unit to receive the distinction and recognizes the four years of commitment and effort expended by Health Unit staff towards reaching this goal.
Health Unit to Announce Achievement of Baby-Friendly Designation
London, ON – The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) will announce the granting of its Baby-Friendly designation on Thursday, February 4th at 2:30 p.m. at a celebration event in the Middlesex County Building. The designation is the culmination of more than four years of effort by Health Unit staff and external reviews by a team of assessors.
Quit Smoking Workshops
Are you ready to quit smoking? The Middlesex-London Health Unit is hosting a workshop in London to help you quit. The STOP program delivers research-based, cost-free smoking cessation workshops in local communities. To see if you’re eligible and to register, please call: 519-663-5317 ext. 4357.
Weedless Wednesday: Quit and Stay Quit and You Could Win Cash!
London, ON – Today is Weedless Wednesday, the mid-point of National Non-Smoking Week, and the Middlesex-London Health Unit is encouraging those who use tobacco to quit all forms of the substance for at least 24 hours. Quitting tobacco, even for just one day, can be a challenge, and it can take many quit attempts before someone can be successful in quitting for good. That’s why access to services and supports are so important in helping those who want to stay tobacco-free. This Weedless Wednesday there are several initiatives designed to encourage and support tobacco users who are interested in quitting.
There Has Never Been A Better Time to Quit: National Non-Smoking Week Jan. 18-24
London, ON –National Non-Smoking Week kicks off today and the Middlesex London Health Unit is reminding tobacco users that quitting takes practice…so practice often! It may take between seven and 30 quit attempts before being able to break the addiction for good, so if at first you don’t succeed, try again. Getting tobacco out of their lives is one of the best things anyone can do for their health and well-being; and there’s never been a better time to quit. New amendments to the Smoke-Free Ontario Act came into effect on January 1st, 2016, banning the sale of flavoured tobacco products.
Health Unit Issues Cold Weather Alert as Mercury Expected to Drop Below -15C
London, ON – Despite taking a while to arrive, a wintry chill will descend on London and Middlesex County this evening, prompting the Medical Officer of Health to issue the region’s first Cold Weather Alert of 2016. The Alert will come into effect tonight at 10:00 p.m. when the temperature drops below -15C and will remain in effect until tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m., when the mercury is expected to rise above that threshold.
Stop the Spread of Infections This Holiday Season
London, ON – Several respiratory viruses, like rhinovirus, influenza and pertussis, and other infections, such as norovirus and chickenpox usually circulate at this time of year; and can spread even more easily when people gather for Holiday celebrations. The Middlesex-London Health Unit is reminding residents to take the necessary steps to stay healthy during this festive season.