Health Tips

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1.

Hand Hygiene:

• Hand hygiene is important to break the chain of infections.Toronto Public Health suggests to wash your hands when:
  • Your hands are visibly dirty
  • Before and after preparing and eating food
  • Touching a cut or open sore
  • Touching eyes, nose or mouth.
    

2.

Immunizations

• Immunizations help protect against many infections and diseases. Please visit Toronto Public Health’s website www.toronto.ca/health or call them at 416-392-1250 for more information about vaccines and the diseases they protect against.
• Flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older every year.

3.

Harm reduction

• Harm reduction is an initiative to help reduce harmful outcomes associated with risky behaviors.
• It is important to avoid sharing or reusing needles, stems or cookers.
• Using a condom to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STI).
• Ask your doctor for STI testing. Rapid point of care (POCT) HIV testing is also available at our Sheppard and Kennedy site.
  
• Free harm reduction supplies are offered at our HUB location.
  

4.

Health Screening

• Colon Cancer screening is recommended for adults of ages 50-75 years.
• Cervical Screening also known as the PAP test is recommended for females 21 years and older who have been sexually active
• Breast Cancer screening is recommended for adults of ages 50-74 years.
  

5.

Mental Health

• Mental health is just as important as physical health. To help with mental health you can participate in community involvement, seek counseling or connecting with support systems to help in times of need.
  
• We have social workers at our three sites who provide counseling and information about community resources that you might find helpful.