Community health

 

The Rotary Club of Brampton welcomes Dr. de Villa. She is a Medical Officer of health at Peel Public Health, the local public health agency serving the 1.4 million residents of the cities of Mississauga and Brampton and the town of Caledon. Peel Public Health is one of the largest public health practices, particularly as it relates to the built environment and changing the way communities are designed and built.

 

Peel Public Health is a leader – locally and nationally – in changing the way communities are designed and built. They are staying ahead of the curve by focusing on built environment as a strategic priority and are determined to build healthy, active communities for every resident.

 

The goals of Peel Public Health are to improve health status of the population and to reduce disparities in health status within the population.

 

In Peel Region, 51% of adults are either overweight or obese. There is a high rate of diabetes in the region. Physical activity has been engineered out of our lives, kids don’t walk to school like they use to. This is not just a health problem but there is a significant cost associated with obesity. Walking or cycling, 30 minutes, seven days a week reduces death by 22% and risk of diabetes by 30%.

 

Infrastructure – make community a good place to live, efficient parking.

Density – service proximity

Connectivity – characteristics, a measure of how well street networks and transportation systems are linked.

 

Peel Public Health is actively working on these elements within our community.

 

The benefits – reduce premature death and cases of diabetes. This makes a positive benefit for businesses.

 

Healthy Peel by design is working with schools to allow kids to walk home. Good design will promote healthy behaviour.