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AOHC's work on oral health featured in Toronto Star editorial

Date:

le Lundi 1 Avril 2013

Access to affordable oral health care is a priority issue for AOHC. We've been doing behind the scenes advocacy work over the past year with MOHLTC, and public advocacy with the Ontario Oral Health Alliance. On April 1st, the Toronto Star ran an editorial showcasing this work.

Read Toronto Star editorial

Help us keep this story alive. Does your centre/team see first hand the challenges that low income people have accessing oral health care? Do your health practitioners have examples of the impact that poor oral health has on overall health and ability to work/participate in the community?

Here are 2 actions to take:

Take 2 minutes to send a short letter to the editor of your local paper
If you have a communications staff person, ask them to tweet a few comments on oral heath using hashtags #onpoli and #Ondental.

CHC and AHAC Oral Health Data Collection Report

Date:

le Mercredi 30 Octobre 2013

Read the results of AOHC’s 2013 oral health survey in this report by Nancy LaPlante.

Highlights of the report:

21 Centres responded that they offer oral health services. 14 of these have a monthly shortfall in funding.
Availability of oral health services ranges from once/month - 6 days/week.
Data collection is limited and inconsistent between Centres. About 50% of respondents were dissatisfied with their access to oral health data, and the quality and amount of data.
Given that funding decisions are driven by data and health outcomes, there’s a need to improve data quality, reliability, access and consistency among oral health service providers.

The report was presented to PMC which decided to begin this work by conducting over the next year some case studies of a few CHCs . We want to identify best practices on data management in order to measure treatment and health outcomes, and share the findings.

AOHC & OOHA reveal inappropriate use of hospital ER for dental issues

Date:

le Mercredi 30 Octobre 2013

AOHC research has found that across Ontario in 2012 there were almost 58,000 visits to hospital Emergency Rooms for oral health problems (Ministry of Health & Long Term Care IntelliHEALTH ONTARIO)

Many people are using costly acute care ER for dental problems because they cannot afford dental treatment. But at the ER they can only get pain killers, not treatment to solve the problem. So many will return to ER.

This is a costly and inappropriate use of hospital ER. At a minimum cost of $513/visit (St. Michael’s Hospital ER Dept), the total estimated cost for dental visits to ER in Ontario was at least $30million in 2012.

The Ontario government set up Health Links in 2012 with one goal being to reduce avoidable ER visits. Dental visits to ER are avoidable – we need government action to make this happen.

Tell your MPP and local media: If low income people could get their oral health needs met at affordable community-based clinics they would not be clogging up their local ER .

The Ontario government should re-direct the $30million (minimum estimate) spent on acute care for oral health in ERs to a public dental program for low income adults.

Read the related Toronto Start article: Ontario ERs ill equipped to handle dental problems

AOHC members and partners from the Ontario Oral Health Alliance are meeting with MPPs with further evidence of the need for government investment in preventative oral health programs for low income adults. For a lobby kit contact jacquie@aohc.org

Supervised Injection Services: Improving Community Health Outcomes

Date:

le Jeudi 4 Juillet 2013

Media Advisory
#A case for public health and safety
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SUPERVISED INJECTION SERVICES: IMPROVING COMMUNITY HEALTH OUTCOMESTORONTO (Thursday, July 4) - Supervised Injection Services (SIS) aim to improve the health and wellbeing of people who use drugs by offering them safer and more hygienic alternatives. Implementing these sites were one of two recommendations made by Toronto's Medical Officer of Health David McKeown in a report issued on Tuesday that asks Toronto to urge the Ontario government to fund Supervised Injection Services on a pilot basis.The report, to be discussed at a July 10 meeting of the Toronto Board of Health, also recommends incorporating Supervised Injection Sites into primary care centres, such as Community Health Centres (CHCs), which already service these clients."What Toronto Public Health is doing on July 10, 2013 is an important reminder of the lessons of the 2011 Supreme Court's ruling, a reminder that governments, and indeed all public health units, have a duty to act in ways that enhance the health of individuals and their communities - even when doing so is politically unpalatable," said David Gibson, Executive Director, Sandy Hill Community Health Centre.The second recommendation was to withdraw Bill C-65 that was introduced in June. The Bill, called the Respect for Communities Act, stipulates a set of unreasonable conditions that would need to be met in order to introduce SIS into a community. These conditions include measures that present health barriers. The Association of Ontario Health Centres supports the recommendations of Toronto's Medical Officer of Health, David McKeown and appeals to the City of Toronto to register its opposition to the federal government's Bill C-65. "Denying people who use drugs access to supervised injection facilities not only stands against the Charter of Rights but it also reinforces health barriers," said Adrianna Tetley, Executive Director of AOHC. "Passing Bill C-65 would be regressive legislation. Researchhas already proven that supervised safe-injection sites have an important role; they work to reduce overdose deaths and to improve the overall health and safety of our communities."Safe Injection Services have been shown to be an effective strategy to reduce harms associated with drug use.AboutThe Association of Ontario Health Centres aims for the best possible health and wellbeing for everyone living in Ontario. AOHC looks towards a future without systemic barriers that prevent people from reaching their full health potential, where everyone can make the choices that allow them to live a fulfilling life. A future in which individuals, families and communities are served by, and are able to actively participate in, trusted healthcare systems that respond to people's and communities' needs in coordinated and comprehensive ways.		CONTACT:Association of Ontario Health Centres:Sofia Ramirezsofia@aohc.org647.278.7926Sandy Hill Community Health Centre:David Gibson,Executive Directordgibson@sandyhillchc.on.ca613.789.1500WHERE/WHEN:Toronto City HallJuly 10, 2013, 1pmCommittee Room 2 Toronto City HallMeeting 23 of the Toronto Board of Health Topic:Supervised Injection Services in Toronto (Ward All) RELATED LINKSMedical Officer of Health Report Bill C-65, "The Respect for Communities Act"Supreme Court of Canada 2011 Ruling Reduction in overdose mortality after first medically supervised safer injection facility: a retrospective population-based study

De nouveaux investissements dans les Centres d'accès aux services de santé pour les Autochtones aux soins de santé donneront d’excellents rendements

Date:

le Dimanche 30 Juin 2013

TORONTO, le 3 avril 2013 – L’annonce faite aujourd’hui par le gouvernement provincial concernant de nouveaux investissements dans 17 projets d’immobilisations dans des Centres de santé communautaire (CSC) et des Centres d'accès aux services de santé pour les Autochtones (CASSA) en Ontario signifie que des milliers de personnes de plus auront accès à des modèles de soins primaires qui ont un effet sur la santé de la population, réduisent les disparités en santé et atténuent les pressions qui pèsent sur le reste de notre système de santé.

« Les CSC et les CASSA gardent les gens – et les collectivités où ils vivent – en santé et forts », a affirmé Adrianna Tetley, la directrice générale de l’Association des centres de santé de l’Ontario qui représente 105 organismes de soins de santé gérés par la communauté dans l’ensemble de la province. « Les investissements faits aujourd’hui produiront un excellent rendement demain, ce qui évitera de dépenser de plus grosses sommes d’argent pour le traitement et les soins des maladies. »

Madame Tetley a également fait remarquer que, comme les CSC et les CASSA ciblent les populations dont la santé est le plus à risque, « c’est également un investissement dans une société plus juste, conformément à la promesse de la première ministre Wynne ».

Adrianna Tetley prononçait une allocution lors d’un événement organisé au carrefour de Jamestown, un satellite du CSC de Rexdale, un des 13 établissements de CSC qui auront dorénavant les fonds nécessaires pour améliorer et agrandir leurs installations. D’autres annonces de projets d’immobilisations sont faites aujourd’hui au CSC de Niagara Falls et au CSC Quest à St. Catherines.

Les CSC se distinguent des autres modèles de soins primaires parce qu’ils réunissent sous un même toit services médicaux et services de promotion de la santé et de développement communautaire. Et comme ils axent leur activité sur les déterminants sociaux de la santé, les CSC sont particulièrement efficaces pour servir des populations qui ont traditionnellement fait face à des obstacles dans l’accès aux services de santé.

L’ACSO accueille également avec plaisir l’annonce faite aujourd’hui par le gouvernement concernant l’investissement dans l’amélioration et l’agrandissement des installations de quatre CASSA ontariens. Les CASSA offrent un alliage de guérison traditionnelle, de soins de santé primaire, de programmes culturels, de programmes de promotion de la santé, d’initiatives de développement culturel et de services de soutien social aux communautés des Premières Nations, des Métis et des Inuits.

« Les CSC comme les CASSA peuvent jouer un rôle important et positif en permettant au nouveau Plan d’action de la province de faire de l’Ontario l’endroit le plus sain dans le monde pour grandir et vieillir », a conclu madame Tetley. Nous espérons que ce n’est que le début d’une série de mesures visant à accroître l’accès aux modèles gérés par la communauté qui font un si bon travail de promotion de la santé et du mieux-être pour tous. »

Pour plus d’information sur les CSC, veuillez cliquer ici.

Source : Sofia Ramirez, 647-278-7926.

www.aohc.org ou suivez-nous sur Twitter @AOHC _ACSO

Test News

Date:

le Mercredi 14 Août 2013

An example of an external link:

www.cbc.ca

New investments in 17 capital projects for Ontario’s CHC's and AHACs

Date:

le Dimanche 30 Juin 2013

#New investments in Community Health Centres and Aboriginal Health Access Centres will yield high returns.

TORONTO – April 3, 2013 - Today’s announcement from the provincial government, that it is making new investments in 17 capital projects for Ontario’s Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Aboriginal Health Access Centres (AHACs), means thousands more people will have access to a primary health care models that improve health, reduce health disparities and ease the pressures on the rest of the our health system. “CHCs and AHACs keep people –and the communities where they live– healthy and strong,” said Adrianna Tetley, Executive Director of Association of Ontario Health Centres which represents 105 community-governed primary health care organizations throughout the province. “The investment being made today will yield a very high return tomorrow, preventing larger amounts of money being spent on sickness treatment and care.” Tetley also noted that because CHCs and AHACs focus on populations whose health is most at risk: “This is also an investment in the fairer society Premier Wynne has promised us.” Tetley was speaking at an event at the Jamestown Hub, a satellite of the Rexdale CHC, one of 13 CHCs sites that now have the capital dollars to upgrade and expand their facilities. Other announcements of capital projects are happening today at Niagara Falls CHC and Quest CHC in St. Catharines. CHC stand out from other models of primary care because medical services are delivered under the same roof as health promotion and community development services. And because they address the social determinant of health, they are especially effective serving populations which have traditionally faced barriers accessing health services. AOHC also applauded the government announcement today that it will invest in upgrading and expanding facilities at four AHACs throughout the province. AHACs provide a combination of traditional healing, primary care, cultural programs, health promotion programs, community development initiatives, and social support services to First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities. “Both AHACs and CHCs can play a huge role in enabling the province’s new action plan to make Ontario the healthiest place to grow up and grow old,” said Tetley. “We hope this is just the beginning of a series of steps to expand access to community-governed models that do such a good job promoting the best possible health and wellbeing for everyone.” For more information on CHCs click here. Centres announced as of May 22, 2013 Rexdale CHC - Jamestown satellite Belleville Quinte West CHC - Trenton satellite CSC Chigamik CHC City of Kawartha Lakes CHC Gateway CHC Gizhewaadiziwin AHAC Niagara Falls CHC Noojmowin Teg AHAC Norwest CHC Quest CHC Rexdale CHC - Kipling Dixon satellite Sault Area Hospital Residential Withdrawal Management Services South Georgian Bay CHC South Riverdale CHC Southwest Ontario AHAC Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe'lyewigamig AHAC Woodstock and Area CHC

A year at the frontline of cuts to refugee health

Date:

le Dimanche 30 Juin 2013

On this National Day of Action for Refugee Health, the Association of Ontario Health Centres (AOHC) appeals to the Federal Government to reinstate the refugee healthcare coverage provided by the Interim Federal Health program.

AOHC stands along with Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care, Health for All and other concerned organizations and Canadians calling on the government to stop the cuts to refugee health. The Association represents Ontario’s 75 Community Health Centres (CHCs), who are the only primary health care providers funded by the provincial government to serve uninsured people living Ontario. Refugees come for a variety of issues, including screenings, tests, immunizations, prescriptions, referrals, settlement issues, health advice and a high percentage of patients come for pregnancy related issues, pain and respiratory concerns. Frontline providers in CHC’s report that the removal of the Interim Federal Health program has had a very serious impact. Community Health Centres are seeing increasing numbers of refugees with intensified pressure to address the health care services no longer covered by the federal government. “The cuts to refugee health have had a devastating effect,” says Dr. Michael C. Stephenson, a General Practitioner with Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services.

“These are people who are in Canada legally, and are escaping persecution, torture and trauma. I have personally heard from many refugees who were denied health care in emergency situations. This is unacceptable and fundamentally un-Canadian.” The lack of coverage adds to the other challenges refugees face, such as lack of adequate housing, economic insecurity and the psychological problems caused by displacement from their home country. “The unique circumstance of the refugee experience creates special health care considerations,” says Adrianna Tetley, Executive Director, AOHC. “Denying health coverage could lead to potentially dangerous health outcomes, increased long term costs, and also contradicts the commitment to humanitarianism understood by welcoming refugees in the first place. The changes are irresponsible. Cuts to life-sustaining medication and treatment can never be justified.” AOHC calls on the federal government to stop the cuts to refugee health coverage. Preventative healthcare is both more humane and more economical than remedial healthcare. Until the federal government reinstates the program, AOHC urges the provincial government to fill gap and ensure funding for refugee health services.

#Refugee Case Studies: Who have we been seeing

A man with known coronary artery disease who needed an urgent angiogram but couldn’t afford to pay for the procedure.

A pregnant woman who was denied care at a Toronto based hospital. They wanted her to put down a deposit of $1700 before they would see her. She couldn't afford it. The IFH would have covered her visits.

A 5 year old child who was denied care at a walk-in clinic when she had a prolonged high fever. The parents were told to pay. IFH would have covered her visit.

A man who was shot in his country of origin days before he left. He couldn't get follow up care by a specialist for 6 weeks after arrival because Canadian Immigration Canada wouldn't issue him Interim Federal Health coverage.

#About

The Association of Ontario Health Centres aims for the best possible health and well-being for everyone living in Ontario. AOHC looks towards a future without systemic barriers that prevent people from reaching their full health potential, where everyone can make the choices that allow them to live a fulfilling life. A future in which individuals, families and communities are served by, and are able to actively participate in, trusted healthcare systems that respond to people's and communities' needs in coordinated and comprehensive ways.

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AOHC's work on oral health featured in Toronto Star editorial

CHC and AHAC Oral Health Data Collection Report

AOHC & OOHA reveal inappropriate use of hospital ER for dental issues

Supervised Injection Services: Improving Community Health Outcomes

#A case for public health and safety

De nouveaux investissements dans les Centres d'accès aux services de santé pour les Autochtones aux soins de santé donneront d’excellents rendements

Test News

New investments in 17 capital projects for Ontario’s CHC's and AHACs

#New investments in Community Health Centres and Aboriginal Health Access Centres will yield high returns.

A year at the frontline of cuts to refugee health

#Refugee Case Studies: Who have we been seeing

#About