Wave: Fall 2009 - Winnipeg Regional Health Authority

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Fall 2009 Volume 1 Issue 3Publisher Winnipeg Regional Health AuthorityPresident & CEO Dr. Brian PostlRegional Director, Communications& Public Affairs Michele AugertEditor Brian ColeContributing Writers Joel Schlesinger, Dolores Haggarty,Susie Strachan, Martin ZeiligColumnists Jorie Janzen, Kristine Hayward, Linda CooteMcPhillips Hearing& Audiology Centre Inc.www.audiology-online.comYour Ears Deserve An AudiologistChristine Dino, Au.D.Doctor of AudiologyCall For A ConsultationBefore Buying Hearing AidsCreative Director Krista LawsonPhotographers Marianne Helm, Trevor HagenIllustrator Krista LawsonOn the Cover Coleen Rajotte, photographed by Marianne HelmEditorial Advisory Board Jan Currie, Lynda Tjaden,Dr. Michael Moffatt, Dr. Wayne Hildahl, Réal J. Cloutier,Dr. Cheryl Rockman-GreenbergWinnipeg Free PressPublisher Bob CoxVP Sales & Marketing Laurie FinleyManager, Advertising Tracy MainlandWave is published six times a year by the Winnipeg RegionalHealth Authority in co-operation with the Winnipeg Free Press. Itis available at newsstands, hospitals and clinics throughoutWinnipeg, as well as McNally Robinson Books.Advertising SalesCall your Winnipeg Free Press sales representative orphone 204.697.7389.SubscriptionsWave is available through subscription:One year (six issues) for $12.60 ($12+GST)Payment may be made by cheque, money order,VISA, or MasterCard.To subscribe:Phone: 204.697.7122Fax: 204.697.7370Send an e-mail to: edithbonner@freepress.mb.caOr write to:WaveC/O Winnipeg Free Press1355 Mountain AvenueWinnipeg, MB R2X 3B6Check out for ourpromotional video - type oticon deltaPh. (204) 953-42001399 McPhillips St.Northgate Shopping CentreWinnipeg, MB R2V 3C4YOU DON’TNEED A DIET.YOU NEEDMOMENTUM.Editorial OfficeWinnipeg Regional Health Authority650 Main StreetWinnipeg, MB R3B 1E2Phone: 204.926.8144; e-mail: wave@mts.netA French-language version of this magazine is available atwww.wrha.mb.ca/lacourant. You can request a printed copy bycalling 204.926.7000.The information in this magazine is not meant to be a substitutefor professional medical advice. Always seek advice from yourphysician or another health professional regarding any medicalcondition or treatment. Opinions and views expressed inthis publication do not always represent those of the WinnipegRegional Health Authority. This publication may not be reprintedor reproduced in whole or in part without the consent of theWinnipeg Health Region.For information on pricing, class timesand locations in your area call1-800-651-6000 or 987-75466 WAVE
A Letter from the Winnipeg Health Region Dr. Brian Postl, President & CEOPreparing for the H1N1 virusBased on the evidence, it seems a pretty safe bet that we will seemore people infected with the H1N1 influenza virus this fall andwinter. Just how many is hard to say.Agencies such as the World HealthOrganization say the virus has establisheditself as the dominant influenza strain inmany parts of the Southern Hemisphereand warn that a second wave in NorthAmerica and Europe is on its way. At thesame time, the agency says the strainshows no evidence of mutating into amore lethal form.All the talk surrounding a possibleresurgence of H1N1 this fall and winterhas left a lot of people feeling a bit worriedabout potential risks to them and theirfamily. That’s understandable. No onewants to put themselves or members oftheir family needlessly at risk.The urgency surrounding H1N1emanates from its sudden appearance inMexico last spring and its seeming abilityto spread quickly and kill a large numberof people who were exposed to it. We nowhave more information to help us put thethreat into better perspective. For example,we now know that many people infectedby the virus will show little or no effects,while some others will get sick and be ableto recover at home. That is not to diminishthe seriousness of the H1N1 threat. Peoplewho do get sick can get extremely sick,and a significant number of people havedied from complications related to thevirus. In trying to assess the risk of H1N1,the best advice is: don’t panic, but don’ttake it lightly, either.The logical question, then, is what, ifanything, can we do to reduce our risk ofbecoming sick? Fortunately, the answer isthere are plenty of things we can do.In fact, we here at the WinnipegHealth Region have just put thefinishing touches on an actionplan designed to help preventthe spread of H1N1 andbetter treat those who dobecome sick with the virus.In this, our third issueof Wave, you will find aspecial report on the H1N1virus. In addition to a storythat helps put a humanface on the virus, youwill find information onhow you and membersof your family can help reduce the riskof becoming infected with the virus.You will also find information about ourmass immunization campaigns, for bothseasonal influenza and the H1N1 virus,as well as other measures we are takingto help prevent the spread of H1N1 andtreat those who do become ill. Hundredsof Winnipeg Health Region staff members,often working with outside groups such asthe province, the federal government andthe City of Winnipeg, among others, haveworked hard to pull together this readinessplan, and I am confident that we are wellpositioned to deal with the H1N1 threat.But there is more to influenza preventionthan vaccines and staffing levels. As thevirus spread through our province lastspring, it became clear that specific groupswithin the larger community are more atrisk for illness brought on by disease andafflictions such as the H1N1 virus. It’s fairto say that H1N1 doesn’t discriminate –the virus will attack anyone. But it’s alsofair – indeed, important – to point out thatthe virus seems to have thrived in someof our First Nations communities. Sciencedoes not have an answer for this yet, butI think it’s pretty clear that at least part ofthe reason is that many residents in thesecommunities are living in less than idealconditions. Poor access to healthy foods,crowded living conditions, lack of runningwater – all of these things can underminea person’s health, making them moresusceptible to chronic diseases orinfections, like the H1N1 virus.As a Region, we are committed todoing what we can to treat patients whocome through our doors. But our duty andour responsibility does not end there. Asnoted in a report produced last year byCanada’s medical officers of health, socialand economic conditions can negativelyinfluence the health and well-being ofindividuals, resulting in a health equity gapbetween those who live in poverty and thosewho do not.As a Region, we are trying to do our partto close that gap. Through various outreachprograms, we have taken steps to work withour community partners to provide careand wellness information to those livingin less than ideal conditions. We have anaboriginal health program to support effortsto reach out to First Nations people livingin Winnipeg and in remote communitiesthroughout Manitoba and Nunuvut. In thewake of last spring’s experience, we createda committee to look at ways to enhanceH1N1 prevention and care for First Nationspeople. Meanwhile, Catherine Cook, whoheads our aboriginal health program, hasbeen named by the province as an advisoron H1N1 issues.The Winnipeg Health Region is steppingup in other important ways as well. Forexample, we have contributed $250,000 tothe Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Counciland $600,000 to reduce homelessnessin our community. These efforts will noteliminate the health threat posed by H1N1and other diseases and afflictions. But theycan help reduce the risk. And they also helpunderscore the Winnipeg Health Region’scommitment to caring for all.Some members of the ICU team at St. Boniface General Hospital. From left: Grant Beck, respiratory therapist; JonathanGabor, resident; Jennifer Bergen, registered nurse; Garry Mousseau, health care assistant; Rob Ariano, pharmacist.Fall 2009 7
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Wave: Fall 2009 - Winnipeg Regional Health Authority

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