News Archive
SubscribeWeedless Wednesday: A Great Start to a Tobacco-Free Life
Coming halfway through National Non-Smoking Week, tomorrow marks the annual Weedless Wednesday, when smokers are encouraged to avoid lighting up as a first step to giving up tobacco altogether. Building on the idea of Weedless Wednesday, the youth who make up the Middlesex-London Health Unit’s One Life One You group are striving towards the goal of having no new tobacco users in Ontario. The youth have been hard at work raising the alarm bells about the flavours used in some tobacco products and how smoking is still permitted in places where children and youth work and play. Weedless Wednesday provides an opportunity to highlight these concerns.
National Non-Smoking Week Focusing on "Truth in Advertising" and E-Cigarettes
Freeing yourself from a tobacco addiction can be a huge challenge. While many smokers seek support and help from local Health Units or the Smokers Helpline, the Middlesex-London Health Unit and many of its partners are concerned about a recent product marketed as a smoking cessation aid. With National Non-Smoking Week and its “Truth in Advertising” theme continuing through Saturday, the Health Unit is joining others in raising awareness about the deceptive tactics used by tobacco and e-cigarette makers.
Bitter Cold Prompts Middlesex-London's Third Cold Weather Alert of 2014
The return of bitter temperatures after a short break from winter’s deep chill has prompted the Medical Officer of Health to issue Middlesex-London’s third Cold Weather Alert of the year. The latest Environment Canada forecast calls for temperatures to drop below -15 degrees C later today, and to remain that way through the week. A forecast daytime low of -15 degrees C is one of the Health Unit’s criteria for issuing Cold Weather Alerts. The alert comes into effect immediately and will continue through Friday, January 24th.
Climbing Temperatures Bring an End to Middlesex-London's Second Cold Weather Alert of 2014
The Cold Weather Alert issued by the Medical Officer of Health on Monday, January 6th has now been terminated. Current outdoor temperatures and those forecast by Environment Canada for the next few days are above the -15 degrees C threshold used by the Health Unit to issue a Cold Weather Alert.
Blustery Weather Returns Prompting Year's Second Cold Weather Alert
With frigid temperatures expected for the next few days, the Medical Officer of Health has issued Middlesex-London’s second Cold Weather Alert of 2014. In addition to the Wind Chill Warning currently in effect for the area, the latest Environment Canada forecast calls for low air temperatures to drop below -15 degrees C, which is one of the Health Unit’s criteria in issuing Cold Weather Alerts. The alert comes into effect immediately and will continue through the afternoon of Thursday, January 9th, when daytime low temperatures are expected to rise above -15 degrees C.
Health Unit Reminds Those Who Are Ill To Stay Home Until They Feel Better
With influenza and other virus activity continuing to increase over the holidays, the Health Unit is asking those who are sick to wait until they are better before returning to work or school. Between December 23rd and 30th, Health Unit staff received reports of 30 people with laboratory-confirmed influenza, 20 whom were hospitalized. So far this flu season, Pandemic H1N1 has been the predominant strain circulating. It has caused illness, which has been severe in some cases, among both children and adults. As of December 30th, the Health Unit has reported 55 local cases of influenza, 28 of whom needed hospitalization. The Health Unit has also received reports of other respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses circulating in the community.
Chilly Start to New Year as Health Unit issues 2014's first Cold Weather Alert
A wintry blast has descended on the Middlesex-London region, prompting the Medical Officer of Health to issue Middlesex-London’s first Cold Weather Alert of the New Year. The Alert comes into effect immediately and will remain in effect until Saturday, January 4th when temperatures are expected to rise above -15 degrees C.
Looking For Support in Your Efforts To Quit Smoking? The Health Unit Can Help.
Starting the New Year with a clean slate is why so many people make resolutions each time we turn the calendar over. Whether it’s being more physically active or losing weight, many New Year’s resolutions focus on improving health, and there’s no greater health benefit than breaking an addiction to tobacco. However, kicking tobacco can be a challenge, which is why the Middlesex-London Health Unit is offering workshops tomorrow and this Thursday, which provide support and free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to those who want to quit.
Upcoming Nicotine Replacement Therapy Workshops
Do you want to quit smoking? The Middlesex-London Health Unit is hosting workshops in London to help you quit.
Local Activity Signals Start of Flu Season in Middlesex-London
The Middlesex-London Health Unit has received confirmation of the community’s first locally-acquired case of influenza A, which could indicate influenza is starting to circulate in the community. The Health Unit will continue to work with local hospitals, schools and long-term care facilities to monitor community influenza activity.