Southeast Public Health highlights merger progress and housing priorities

The board reviewed benefits achieved during the past 22 months of merger work.

Southeast Public Health is highlighting progress from its merger and adding housing and homelessness to its priorities for municipal leaders.

The Board of Health approved the new priority during its October meeting in Kingston. The organization's Post-Election Primers provide evidence-based information to help newly elected municipal officials address local health issues.

The primers also cover climate change, food insecurity and gender-based violence, including intimate partner violence.

The board reviewed benefits achieved during the past 22 months of merger work, including expanded mental health support for pregnant and new mothers, better access to environmental inspection results and efforts to improve immunization rates.

Other improvements include better influenza vaccine inventory management and more co-ordinated communication with health system partners.

Southeast Public Health has also found financial savings through procurement efficiencies, staffing changes and mortgage savings. The savings are being used to address the organization's structural deficit while protecting essential public health programs and services.

The board cancelled its November and December meetings, along with a November Finance Committee meeting. Its next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 27, 2027.

Story by Emily Chatwood