Childrens' health statistics released for Simcoe-Muskoka

Local health agencies, organizations and people interested in the health of children living in Simcoe Muskoka now have a onestop on-line shop where they can gather that information- from local factors that affect children's health to breastfeeding rates.

"Children are our most important resource. If we want to improve the health of our children, we first need to know the status of their health," said Lori Webel- Edgar, manager of reproductive health in the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit's family health service.

"Focus on Children's Health in Simcoe Muskoka gives us, and the community partners we work with, the kind of detailed information we need when planning programs and services for families and caregivers with children living in our area."

The report, which focuses on the health status of children from infancy to nine years old in Simcoe Muskoka, is available on the HealthSTATS section of the health unit's website, www.simcoemuskokahealth. org.

The report is the third focus report produced for HealthSTATS, which contains data and other information intended to keep communities up to date on the health status of their population and of key public health issues.

The Focus on Children's Health in Simcoe Muskoka includes data on birth and infancy, breastfeeding, mortality, health behaviours (physical activity and nutrition) as well as positive influences on child health. It also has information on illness and injury, including vaccine preventable diseases, oral health, hospital emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

"To reduce children's visits to emergency rooms due to unintentional injuries, for example, we need to know what those injuries are and in what numbers, so that we can teach children and parents about the appropriate use of safety equipment, like bicycle helmets and car seats," said Webel-Edgar.

The information contained in the Focus on Children's Health in Simcoe Muskoka comes from a variety of data sources, including the Canadian Community Health Survey, Census, the Healthy Food Basket Survey, Hospital Inpatient Discharges and the Dental Indices Survey. The report also contains data from the Ontario Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS), a surveillance system that provides some data about risk factors and health behaviours in local communities.

For more information about the report, call Your Health Connection 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday at 721-7520.