Make Health a Priority
Media Release
October 7, 2022
Southwestern Public Health encourages the public to ask municipal candidates about public health priorities
Supporting community members in understanding public health priorities and possible solutions with a municipal lens can empower voters to make informed decisions.
Municipal elections are less than a month away and the region’s local health unit is asking residents – even those who don’t consider themselves to be political – to engage local leadership candidates about the priority public health topics that municipalities can positively influence.
This election season the health unit highlights six population health priorities and explains how they impact community wellness. The population priorities are found on the organization’s website, and several questions on each priority are posed as conversation starters.
The six priorities are:
- Poverty and Income
- Housing and Homelessness
- Climate and Planetary Change
- Mental Health and Well-being
- Substance Use and Addictions
- Transportation
“While direct health services like hospital care are offered by the province of Ontario, many municipal decisions have the ability to positively impact the health of our communities, improving our overall wellness and vitality,” says Peter Heywood, Program Director of Healthy Communities. “For example, affordable housing and income are very connected to our overall health. Municipalities are also connected to social and emergency services, transportation, parks and recreation, and planning decisions related to new developments.”
The non-partisan voter information page is located at: www.swpublichealth.ca/questionsforcandidates.
About Southwestern Public Health
Southwestern Public Health works with its partners to ensure the health of the whole community. Our programs respond to public health emergencies; promote healthy lifestyles; help prevent injuries, illness, and disease in the community; and promote positive change and social conditions that improve health. Southwestern Public Health delivers mandated programs under the Ontario Public Health Standards and is regulated by the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act. The health unit maintains primary locations in Woodstock and St. Thomas. For more information, visit www.swpublichealth.ca.
Contacts
Megan Cornwell
Communications Manager | Southwestern Public Health
1-800-922-0096
mcornwell@swpublichealth.ca