Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) has announced plans to put newly acquired funds towards programming that will help at-risk populations quit smoking.
The health unit, which serves Elgin and Oxford counties, was recently selected as a recipient of the Public Health Agency of Canada's Healthy Canadians and Communities Fund. SWPH officials said over $1-million will be used to create more accessible services to help marginalized and underserved populations within the region with their nicotine addiction.
"The use of tobacco products continues to be a leading cause of chronic disease within Ontario and our region," said Program Manager Samantha Fox.
SWPH said the project will allow clients to work with community partners, such as pharmacists, social service, mental health and addiction agencies, to receive smoking cessation counselling and nicotine replacement therapy.
Participants will learn skills and behaviours needed to quit smoking and adopt and maintain healthier behaviours leading to chronic disease reduction.
"Not only will this funding provide services to our residents to support the cessation of tobacco products, but it also showcases the kind of innovative strategies SWPH staff use each day to address the causes of chronic diseases," added Fox. "Once complete, our findings will be disseminated across the province and country to help countless others."
Studies show at-risk populations such as people on low incomes, racialized, Indigenous, or those with a mental health diagnosis, experience higher rates of tobacco use and are at a greater risk of dealing with tobacco-related health gaps.
The program should be up and running later this spring. Eligible clients will be able to make an appointment at a participating pharmacy, or by calling SWPH at 1-800-922-0096.