H1N1 Community of Caring

Dear Community/Faith Organization:

As you know, we are officially in the second wave of the H1N1 influenza pandemic. In Canada and globally, most cases of H1N1 continue to appear as typical flu-like illness. However, there are a small proportion of cases that develop into severe respiratory illness, resulting in hospitalization and sometimes even death. Most concerning is that a number of cases of severe illness have been among previously healthy young children and adults.

Our recent announcement regarding family preparedness and household mailout has outlined a number of measures to ensure individuals and families are prepared in the event they become ill from H1N1. One of the key preparedness steps is for individuals and families to have identified a key person(s) that can help provide general support and/or basic care in the home if such support is required. This is especially true for those who live alone, are a single parent or are the main caregiver in their household. Having someone they trust to care for them will allow them to stay at home and focus on getting better.

We encourage those who are well to offer their heop to someone who may need it. Allowing sick people to recover at home will help slow the spread of the H1N1 virus, not to mention strengthen our communities.

This is a time when we need communities to pull together and support one another. As a trusted part of your community your members/congregation are in a unique position to support the organization of indiviudals and families to ensure that people or families without external support are cared for as well. I encourage your organization to consider how they could help facilitate this community caring.

A fact sheet outlining basic steps for caring for an individual with influenza-like illness in the home is available on-line at

http://www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/publications/FS_H1N1_Family_Preparedness.pdf.

While the immediate issue is the H1N1 pandemic, over the long run your work facilitating community caring will assist your community to deal with a broad range of emergencies.

On behalf of your community, I thank you in advance for any assistance.

Sincerely,

Robert Strang, MD, MHSc., FRCPC
Chief Public Health Officer

Smartphone-based Treatment for Headaches

Do you, or does someone you know:

Suffer from recurrent headaches, are between the ages of 14-28 years old, and have a cell phone that you use the Internet on?

Or

Work on developing Smartphone applications or have a Computer Science background and experience using Smartphone applications?

Researchers at the IWK Health Centre are runing a focus gropu that will bring together adolescents and young adults who suffer from recurrent headaches, and technincal people with experience with Smartphones to discuss the development of a program for headache sufferers delivered via a Smartphone.

During a 1.5-2 hour long focus group participants will be asked for their opinions, needs and concerns associated with recurrent headache episodes, and methods they use ot help them to get through a headache. We will also discuss how Smartphone applications could be used to help adolescents and young adults manage their recurrent headaches.

For more information, or if you are interested in participating in this research, please contact whi.study@gmail.com

Participants will be reimbursed with a $30.00 gift card from Empire Theatres for their time. Refreshments will be provided.

Beyond Mediocrity - Health Lecture

The School of Health Administration will be holding their next Excellence in Health Lecture, “Beyond Mediocrity: What Canadians Should Expect From Their Health System – And Why They Aren’t Getting It”. The lecture will be presented by Steven Lewis, Health Policy and Research Consultant on Thursday, December 3rd from 7-9 p.m. at the Lord Nelson Hotel, Admiral Room.

Gay Men's Health Workshop

Gay Men's Health & HIV Prevention Workshop

What : A workshop on the topic of Gay Men's Health & HIV Prevention will be presented

by the AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia. Areas touched on in the workshop
include:

- population health and the "Gay Men's Health" movement

- HIV prevention through harm reduction approaches

- health related issues of particular concern for gay men

- building cultural capacity re gay men

For Whom : The workshop is for healthcare workers (and others) who work with gay /

bisexual men as part of their clientele, as well as gay community members and advocates.

When & Where : The workshop will be held on Thursday, Nov. 26th at the Halifax

North Memorial Public Library, 2285 Gottingen Street, Halifax from 12:30 - 4:30 PM.


Registration Deadline : There is no charge for the workshop but we do request

registration by Friday, Nov. 20th. To register please contact workshop presenter Chris

Aucoin (see below).

The Presenter : Chris Aucoin, MEd, is the Gay Men's Health Coordinator with the AIDS

Coalition of Nova Scotia. He has worked in health promotion and support (in the areas of

HIV/AIDS and in mental health), in social justice advocacy and education regarding poverty

and food security concerns, and in human rights issues as they pertain to

gay/lesbian/bisexual communities.


For more information please contact Chris Aucoin Gay Men's Health Coordinator, AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia

1-800-566-2437 ext. 222 or gmhc@acns.ns.ca

World Diabetes Day

Saturday November 14 is the 18th annual World Diabetes Day. Diabetes affects more than 250 million people around the world. About 41,000 Canadians die every year as a result of diabetes - usually from heart disease or a stroke. It's estimated that by next year 3 million Canadians will have diabetes.

Learn more about diabetes and how to keep yourself and your family healthy. http://www.diabetes.ca/

H1N1 Update

More of our residents are now able to receive their H1N1 vaccination. For details, please click on the following link:

http://www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/h1n1/

Stay informed!

http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/default.aspx?Page=H1N1Updates&category.Categories.1=789&centerContent.Id.0=47827&docList.Categories.0=758

Four Nations Celebration

• Multi cultural youth event
• Spread the message of diversity, equality and represent your community
• Let's let the youth have a voice
• Promote common unity and self experssion
• It's a live celebration of who we are!

When: November 14, 2009 11 am to 7 pm

Where: The Paragon, 2037 Gottingen Street, Halifax

Free admission with any non perishable food donation. Over 25 local youth performers. 3 DJ ensemble.

Think you have the flu? Not sure what to do?

A flu assessment chart has been developed to help you decide how to make the best health care decision for you and your family. Visit the Capital Health website for information on seasonal flu and H1N1, plus clinic times and locations, as well as the flu decision chart.

http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/default.aspx?Page=H1N1Updates&category.Categories.1=789&centerContent.Id.0=47827&docList.Categories.0=758


Important: Should your symptoms continue or get worse, see a health care provider to be reassessed.

For health information and advice, call HealthLink 811.

FAQ's about H1N1

Capital Health has produced a video answering your questions about H1N1. If you have any questions, you can email flu@cdha.nshealth.ca They will do their best to respond within two business days (sooner if possible).

http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/video/h1n1/h1n1Nov5.html

Volunteer Tutors Needed

The Dartmouth Learning Network is seeking volunteer Tutors for one-on-one sessions with Learners who want to improve their communications, mathematics, computer and GED preparation.

If you are willing to dedicate approximately 2 hours per week for at least 9 months, working with an adult who is keen to change his/her circumstances please call 902-464-3444 to set up an appointment with the Tutor Coordinator.


Helping someone to succeed in achieving their goals is the most rewarding job of all!

Walk and Stop - Stop Smoking Group

Has the flu season got you thinking about your health? Walk and Stop!

Join Capital Health’s stop-smoking specialist Dan Steeves and APTS recreation therapy co-facilitators on five consecutive weekly walks through the Public Gardens. Together, they will provide proven advice to help you stop smoking and explore how leisure can sustain lifestyle change! Free nicotine patch, gum or lozenge will be provided. Please see attached flyer for more information or call 424-2025.

Walks start at 12 noon!
First walk: Tuesday, Nov. 17
Meet outside the doors of the Summer Street entrance of the Halifax Infirmary. Open to anyone living within the Capital Health District. Walks take place rain or shine.

Building Community Leadership

Building Community Vitality- a Leadership Toolkit is a newly launched online resource developed specifically for those playing a catalytic role to support communities tackling broad issues of concern. Designed by Community Foundations of Canada (CFC), this resource supports community leaders in "connecting the dots" between various issues that impact community.
Online Leadership Toolkit

<http://cts.vresp.com/c/?Tamarack/5544459e6a/52d6b4f542/81b924c74e>By: Sylvia Cheuy with Anne-Marie McElrone <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?Tamarack/5544459e6a/52d6b4f542/3aedaaa8ea>

Dads Making a Difference

Family Service is pleased to offer the Dads Making a Difference Program beginning the week of November 16th 2009. This 8 week program is designed to help Dads become more present in the lives of their children, to improve the quality of their relationship with their children, their communication skills and parenting skills.

Dads Making a Difference is an internationally known program aimed at increasing the involvement of fathers in the lives of their children, to support dads to be effective parents, to support fathers as effective dads, to create a community environment in which we reinforce the message that dads do make a difference. We provide, through small group work, parenting and support services targeted specifically for dads, both custodial and non custodial, single or in relationships, whose children range in age from birth to sixteen. The Program is offered free of charge and dates and time will be announced. Interested Dads can contact us at 420-1980 and ask for Erin or through e-mail lmaerz@fshalifax.com