Public Health Agency of Canada

Eye care tips for March break travelers: the Canadian Ophthalmological Society

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 7, 2023

The most common eye complaints during air travel are dry eyes, itchy eyes, and watering eyes.

Key Points: 
  • The most common eye complaints during air travel are dry eyes, itchy eyes, and watering eyes.
  • If dryness remains a problem, you can use lubricating eye drops or wear a mask when sleeping.
  • Keep the eye clean and avoid having the eye and surgical wound dry out on the flight.
  • To learn more about the four major eye diseases including the risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment, visit seethepossibilities.ca .

National pilot project aims to improve educator mental health in Canada

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 2, 2023

With project partners at the University of Ottawa and other experts in mental health, the project, Educator Well-Being during Pandemic Recovery: Supporting the Mental Health of Teachers and Education Workers, aims to promote mental health and well-being and to prevent mental illness among K-12 public education workers by increasing the capacity of the whole school staff.

Key Points: 
  • With project partners at the University of Ottawa and other experts in mental health, the project, Educator Well-Being during Pandemic Recovery: Supporting the Mental Health of Teachers and Education Workers, aims to promote mental health and well-being and to prevent mental illness among K-12 public education workers by increasing the capacity of the whole school staff.
  • The Canadian Government has committed a total of $798,500 over the next year to support this pilot project.
  • The objective of this project is to take a systemic approach to supporting mental health and well-being and to develop a collegial model for mental health support.
  • In collaboration with CTF/FCE Member Organizations, the project will be implemented and tested in three pilot school sites across Canada, including one French-language school.

Government of Canada invests nearly $4 million to OCAD University to support mental health of students

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 21, 2023

The Government of Canada is committed to improving mental health resilience for everyone, and particularly those who are disproportionately affected by mental health challenges or face barriers to mental health supports.

Key Points: 
  • The Government of Canada is committed to improving mental health resilience for everyone, and particularly those who are disproportionately affected by mental health challenges or face barriers to mental health supports.
  • The funding will support a comprehensive set of mental health promotion materials linked to a peer support network, in addition to a variety of mindfulness training and practice programs.
  • "Our government recognizes that the pandemic has added greatly to the pre-existing mental health and substance use challenges that many students and young people face.
  • The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the mental health of people in Canada through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

PSPNET Celebrates Third Anniversary of Serving First Responders and Other Public Safety Personnel

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 9, 2023

Examples of sectors served include border services officers, correctional workers, firefighters, Indigenous emergency managers, operational intelligence personnel, paramedics, police, public safety communicators, and search and rescue personnel.

Key Points: 
  • Examples of sectors served include border services officers, correctional workers, firefighters, Indigenous emergency managers, operational intelligence personnel, paramedics, police, public safety communicators, and search and rescue personnel.
  • This course is currently available with therapist guidance in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.
  • PSPNET has seen remarkable success so far, with 752 clients having completed or signed up for therapist-guided courses.
  • “When we began this journey, one thing was very apparent - there was little to no online therapy support tailored to public safety personnel when it came to their mental health,” said Dr. Heather Hadjistavropoulos, Principal Investigator of PSPNET.

Update on mpox in Canada - February 15, 2023

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Ottawa, ON, Feb. 15, 2023 /CNW/ - The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is issuing this statement to provide an update on the ongoing response to mpox.

Key Points: 
  • Ottawa, ON, Feb. 15, 2023 /CNW/ - The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is issuing this statement to provide an update on the ongoing response to mpox.
  • The WHO Director General declared that mpox is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on July 23, 2022.
  • The WHO Director General considered the advice offered by the Committee and determined that mpox outbreak continues to constitute a PHEIC.
  • The Government of Canada acknowledges the WHO Director General's determination that mpox remains a PHEIC.

The Prime Minister announces changes in the senior ranks of the Public Service

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 10, 2023

OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 10, 2023 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the following changes in the senior ranks of the Public Service:

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 10, 2023 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the following changes in the senior ranks of the Public Service:
    Shalene Curtis-Micallef, currently Associate Deputy Minister of Justice, becomes Deputy Minister of Justice, effective February 13, 2023.
  • Chris Forbes, currently Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, becomes Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change, effective February 20, 2023.
  • Arun Thangaraj, currently Associate Deputy Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, becomes Deputy Minister of Transport, effective February 20, 2023.
  • Stefanie Beck, currently Associate Deputy Minister of National Defence, becomes Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, effective February 20, 2023.

You can't change your age but you can take action to reduce your risk of developing AMD: Canadian Ophthalmological Society

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 7, 2023

As February marks AMD Awareness Month, the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) wants to educate Canadians on the various complications, associated risk factors and innovations surrounding detection and treatment of AMD.

Key Points: 
  • As February marks AMD Awareness Month, the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) wants to educate Canadians on the various complications, associated risk factors and innovations surrounding detection and treatment of AMD.
  • Apart from age, other risk factors for AMD include smoking and family history.
  • "We are committed to raising awareness and educating Canadians on the importance of early detection and management of AMD," says Dr. Phil Hooper, President of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society.
  • To learn more about the treatment of AMD, or to take the AMD test, visit seethepossibilities.ca .

Government of Canada supports wastewater monitoring for COVID-19 in Atlantic Canada

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Wastewater data is an important early warning sign for public health action and decisions for the benefit of communities in Atlantic Canada.

Key Points: 
  • Wastewater data is an important early warning sign for public health action and decisions for the benefit of communities in Atlantic Canada.
  • Wastewater monitoring has been essential in COVID-19 monitoring and is one of the key tools guiding the future of public health surveillance.
  • The Government of Canada has committed $28.1 million since May 2020 to establish, expand and enhance the pan-Canadian wastewater surveillance program.
  • "Wastewater monitoring is the future of public health surveillance for infectious diseases in Canada.

Government of Canada announces a temporary negative COVID-19 test requirement for travellers arriving from the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong or Macao

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, December 31, 2022

These planned health measures will apply to air travellers, regardless of nationality and vaccination status.

Key Points: 
  • These planned health measures will apply to air travellers, regardless of nationality and vaccination status.
  • They are temporary measures, in place for 30 days, that will be reassessed as more data and evidence becomes available.
  • Canada remains committed to working with global partners to manage the ongoing COVID-19 response and enhance preparedness for the future.
  • All travellers, regardless of citizenship, are not required to submit public health information through the ArriveCAN app or website.

Joint Statement from the Co-Chairs of the Special Advisory Committee on the Epidemic of Opioid Overdoses - Latest National Data on Substance-Related Harms

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 14, 2022

OTTAWA, ON, Dec. 14, 2022 /CNW/ - Today, the co-chairs of the federal, provincial and territorial Special Advisory Committee on the Epidemic of Opioid OverdosesDr.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, ON, Dec. 14, 2022 /CNW/ - Today, the co-chairs of the federal, provincial and territorial Special Advisory Committee on the Epidemic of Opioid OverdosesDr.
  • Since 2016, Canada has seen a significant rise in opioid and other substance-related harms, which worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • These harms continue to have a devastating impact on people who use substances, their families, and communities across Canada.
  • This represents a decrease in the number of deaths and hospitalizations reported in previous quarters since the start of the pandemic.