Horst Backe, Gayleen DimondPopulation and Public Health Program

Public Health Services to New Immigrants/Refugees in Winnipeg

Purpose of the PresentationPurpose of the Presentation

• Describe how Public Health staff can provide support to new immigrants / refugees

• Provide contact information• Describe background to various public

health services

What is Population & Public Health?What is Population & Public Health?Public Health focuses on: •Improving the health of the population•Reducing health disparities•Anticipating and preparing for new threats and contingenciesWe are one of many community programs in the WRHA including, home care, primary care (Bridge Care), and mental health.

Healthy Parenting and Early Healthy Parenting and Early Childhood DevelopmentChildhood Development

Public Health Nurses support families to •Have healthy pregnancies•Have the best birth outcomes •Provide the safest and healthiest environment to raise children

Language AccessLanguage Access

We can use interpreters for delivery of services

Prenatal and Postnatal ServicesPrenatal and Postnatal Services• Reduce fetal exposure to harmful chemicals

(e.g., drugs, alcohol, tobacco)• Improve nutrition (promote breastfeeding),

basic care and preventive practices• Promote secure parent-child bonding• Optimize early childhood development

potential• Improve the health and well being of families

PreschoolPreschool

• Promote physical, emotional and social readiness for transition to school

• Increase the numbers of children entering school who are ready to learn

• Reduce injury-related death and disability

Services to Expectant Families & Services to Expectant Families & Families With ChildrenFamilies With Children

• Home-based comprehensive assessment, referral and support of:– Prenatal women and families– Postnatal families– Families with children under 5

• Public Health Nursing services• Family First Home Visiting Services• Group Support (Nutritionists, Nurses)

Healthy Start for Mom & Me for Newcomers• Basement 400 Edmonton, Knox Centre, Wed 1:30-3:30 pm• (204)949-5350• Interpreters available• Pregnant women, partners and parents with babies up to 1 year

old are welcome• Meet new friends and share stories• Learn about food, nutrition and cooking• Have fun with your baby & take new play ideas home• Answers to questions about health & baby care• Free milk coupons for pregnant & new moms• Staff include Dieticians and Public Health Nurses

How can you help?How can you help?

• Refer all families who are pregnant or have children under the age of 5 to the Public Health Nurse in Community Area where the family temporarily or permanently resides

• Refer pregnant women to midwife, obstetrician or medical doctor – Public Health Nurses can help with this

Community Area Office Phone Numbers• Assiniboine South ........................ (204) 940-1950• Downtown ………........................... (204) 940-8441• Fort Garry .................................... (204) 940-2015• Inkster.......................................... (204) 938-5900• Point Douglas .............................. (204) 940-2025• River East..................................... (204) 938-5300• River Heights................................(204) 938-5500• Seven Oaks.................................. (204) 938-5600• St. Boniface ................................. (204) 940-2035• St. James/Assiniboia ....................(204) 940-2040• St. Vital.........................................(204) 940-2045• Transcona.................................... (204) 938-5555

TuberculosisTuberculosis• Cough lasting more than 2 to 3 weeks, with or

without weight loss or night sweats, within the first 5 years of arrival tell the doctor that you could have tuberculosis

• Public Health follows all persons with tuberculosis until they have completed treatment

Infectious Diseases/Tropical MedicineInfectious Diseases/Tropical Medicine• If you get really sick make sure you tell the doctor what country

you came from and how long you have been in Canada.• A referral can be made to a specialist:

– HSC Infectious Diseases (204) 787-3582– St. Boniface Hospital Infectious Diseases (204) 237-2927– WRHA Travel Health and Tropical Medicine Services (204)

940-8747• Any individual from a malaria endemic country who has a fever

within 6 to 12 months of arrival should be treated as an emergency! – Access the emergency department at Health Sciences Centre

or St. Boniface Hospital.

Travel HealthTravel Health

• Immigrants returning to visit friends and relatives have the highest risk of travel-related illness

• Should be seen before travelling:– WRHA Travel Health and Tropical Medicine

Services, 490 Hargrave Street (204) 940-8747– fee-for-service

ImmunizationImmunization

• The Manitoba schedule for infants, children and adults can be found at http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/imm/schedule

• Vaccinations on the schedule are free• Immunizations are provided by primary care

providers and Public Health Nurses• Several vaccines are offered in schools for

children in grades 4, 6, and 9

Immunization …continuedImmunization …continued

• Upon arrival in Canada it is important to follow-up with a doctor or public health nurse

• Present any immunization records that you may have for each member of your family

• The doctor or nurse can then discuss what immunizations are recommended to ensure you are properly protected

HIVHIV

• Little advertising about it does not mean it does not exist

• Persons from HIV endemic countries are more likely to get HIV infections in Canada than in their home country or intermediary countries (e.g., refugee camps)

HIV Positive PersonsHIV Positive Persons• Refer to HIV program: (204)940-6089 or

1-866-449-0165 as soon as possible– Increases length and quality of life– Reduces HIV spread

• They should inform partner of HIV status before doing anything high risk for transmitting HIV

• If pregnant or considering it, get prenatal care• Breastfeeding is NOT recommended

HIV Positive Persons …continuedHIV Positive Persons …continued• Call (204) 940-2210 in Winnipeg if no contact

has been made with a Public Health Nurse since arrival

• HIV screening is part of the CIC medical examination

• Persons with HIV are referred to Manitoba Health

• Manitoba Health sends these referrals to local Regional Health Authorities

Illness That May Need Physician Illness That May Need Physician SupportSupport

• Pap Smears • Ova and Parasites• Hepatitis A, B and C• Mental Health – referral for post traumatic

stress (e.g., Bridge Care, Mount Carmel Clinic, Aurora Counseling Centre, Immigrant Women’s Counseling, Family Centre)

Injury Prevention Significant issues for newcomers: •Child safety seats/booster seats in Canada •Cycling safety•Home safety •Drowning (recreational swimming/boating) •Falls in older adults Contact us for resources, programs and info

(204) 940-8300 injuryinfo@wrha.mb.ca

• When there are health concerns about rental properties ask for a health inspection

• In rental situations, one outcome could be for landlords to remediate concern(s) (e.g., heating, plumbing for fresh water and sewage, electrical or other safety hazards such as broken windows or broken stairs)

• Ask for help by telephoning 311

Health InspectionsHealth Inspections

If you are not sure who to call:If you are not sure who to call:

WRHA Switchboard(204)926-7000