Public Health is here for Niagara

April 07, 2026

Today, Niagara Region Public Health and Emergency Services (PH&ES) is kicking off Canadian Public Health Week by highlighting the public health work that helps keep Niagara residents healthy now and in the future.

“Our services support people at every stage of life, with a strong focus on health equity and reaching those who need it most,” said Dr. Azim Kasmani, Medical Officer of Health, Niagara Region Public Health. “Public health is about more than programs and services. It’s about building a community where everyone has the opportunity to be healthy.”

Behind every service, visit, inspection, and call, the teams at Niagara Region Public Health and Emergency Services are here for Niagara. From guiding new parents and promoting student well-being to preventing outbreaks, monitoring health trends and making the healthy choice the easy choice, public health work safeguards the health of more than half a million residents, as well as millions of visitors to the region.

Here are some of the ways Public Health and Emergency Services supported Niagara in 2025:

For families: 1,125 infant feeding support encounters; 1,659 connections with Niagara parents looking for support; 3,582 home visits to at-risk families to help them meet their goals and strengthen caregiver and child interactions

For students: 490 one-to-one conversations with high school students about mental health; 24,230 dental screenings for children in elementary schools; 300 school immunization clinics for Grade 7 students

For residents and businesses: 10,120 food premise inspections helping keep people safe and businesses operating with confidence

For the community: 100,030 emergency 911 responses; 3,717 naloxone kits distributed to community partners; 16,964 interactions providing harm reduction information and support; 24,244 vaccine doses administered by PH&ES

A healthy population contributes to community stability, productivity, and long-term resilience. Through prevention, early intervention, and strong community partnerships, public health plays a critical role in protecting both the well-being of residents and the strength of the local economy.

Throughout April, Niagara Region Public Health will be highlighting the breadth of services and the staff who make them possible. Residents are encouraged to follow @NRPublicHealth on social media and use #NRPublicHealth to celebrate local public health in action.

Media contact

Lisa Cox
Senior Communications Specialist
Niagara Region Public Health & Emergency Services
905-688-8248 ext. 7287
lisa.cox@niagararegion.ca