"My whole life changed the day I started to smoke"
“Hey, when did you start?” Bryan looks up. “When I was 13 - I’m 20 now and I’m hooked.” As we acknowledge National Non Smoking Week this week, our attention turns to youth. Nearly all t...
Health awareness
Creating a smoke-free community
This article was co-written by Nancy Viney (tobacco reduction, Northern Health), Rhya Hartley (City of Quesnel), and the Quesnel Healthier Community Committee. It was originally published in the Winte...
Taking steps to improve air quality - it all adds up!
For many people, a desire to reduce smoke and pollution has changed the way they use their vehicle: Many of you shared that you walk or bike instead of driving when possible. In Prince George, o...
Air quality in the North
Working in Public Health Protection has been rewarding. Whether it's speaking to a mother about the cause of her baby's stomach bug or teaching a food safety class to local food service workers, I've ...
What's the real story on influenza (flu)?
A version of this article was first published in the Winter 2015 issue of Healthier You magazine. Common myths about influenza In my experience as a nurse, I have heard many questions abou...
Radon: What you need to know
November is Radon Awareness Month in Canada and it's a great time to test your home for radon gas. Did you know that radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and kills approximat...
Learning from Nana: Making small changes to prevent falls and stay independent
At 90 years old, my Nana still splashed her face 10 times each morning with cold water - a tip she once read in a fashion magazine from celebrity Marilyn Monroe to keep the skin free of wrinkles. Afte...