Healthcare services in your community
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Your Health Care Options
Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care offers several tools to help you find health care services in your area. Get an overview of what’s available.
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Health Care Connect
Don’t have a family healthcare provider? Sign up to be referred to a family doctor or nurse practitioner who is accepting new patients in your community.
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Public Health Units
Public Health Units offer education, health promotion and disease prevention programs to the public. This site will help you find a Public Health Unit in your area.
Call ServiceOntario Infoline at 1-866-532-3161 or TTY 1-800-387-5559; in Toronto, 416-314-5518 or TTY 416-327-4282.
This multilingual telephone line provides information and referral for Ontario government and Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) programs and services.
Cancer screening
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Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Cancer Screening Program
In the early stages, breast, cervical and colorectal cancer can be impossible to see or feel. Use the site’s Time to Screen tool to find out when to get screened.
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Cancer Care Ontario Screening Programs
Regular screening can help detect pre-cancerous changes or cancer at an early stage. Find out when you should start screening for breast, or cervical cancer.
Genetic testing
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Please speak to your doctor or nurse practitioner to see if genetic testing is appropriate for you. For more information on genetic testing, visit the Canadian Cancer Society. Or to talk to a Cancer Information Specialist at the Canadian Cancer Society, call toll-free 1-888-939-3333 (TTY 1-866-786-3934).
Healthy eating
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EatRight Ontario
Browse nutrition and healthy eating articles by topic, or connect with a Registered Dietitian by email or phone (1-877-510-5102) to get your questions answered personally or to have information sent to you.
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Access to eaTracker
Use this interactive tool to help you reach your diet and physical activity goals.
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Dietitians of Canada – Your Health
Assess your current eating habits and get tips on how to make healthy changes.
Physical activity
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Public Health Agency of Canada – Physical Activity
Get guidelines and tips to help you live a healthier lifestyle that includes regular physical activity.
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Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology – Physical Activity Guidelines Handbook (PDF)
This booklet helps you and your family learn how to reduce sedentary time and plan to be physically active every day.
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PAR-Q form (PDF)
Becoming more physically active can help reduce your cancer risk and improve your overall health. Use this form to find out if you should check with your doctor before you start.
Breastfeeding
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Public Health Units
Ontario’s Public Health Units provide breastfeeding education and support from Public Health Nurses. Use this link to find the Public Health Unit nearest you.
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Telephone support for breastfeeding mothers is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at Telehealth Ontario. Call 1-866-797-0000 (TTY 1-866-797-0007).
Sexual health
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Sexualityandu.ca
Certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can increase your risk for human papillomavirus (HPV) — the primary cause of cervical cancer. This site will help you learn more about safe sex and how you can protect your sexual health.
Alcohol
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The Canadian Cancer Society – Alcohol and Cancer
Drinking alcohol can increase your cancer risk. This site offers advice on reducing your risk if you choose to drink, and gives practical tips on how to lower your alcohol consumption.
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ConnexOntario – Health Services Information for Ontarians
If you’re experiencing problems with alcohol, you’ll find free and confidential health services information here to help you, 24-hours a day.
Quitting smoking
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Smokers’ Helpline
You’ll find:
- An online group of other quitters, and Quit Coaches
- Support from a quit smoking counselor by texting iQuit to the number 123456 (in Ontario)
- Self-directed and personalized information to help you reach your goals
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To speak to a quit smoking counselor on the phone, contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000, TTY 1-866-797-0007.
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Health Canada’s On the Road to Quitting program
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High blood pressure
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Information on how to prevent or manage high blood pressure from Hypertension Canada.
Sun Safety
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Learn more about the dangers of sunburn at HealthyCanadians.gc.ca or call Health Canada at 1-866-225-0709.
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Learn how you can use the UV Index to protect your skin at the Environment Canada website.
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Advice on how to protect your skin and reduce your risk of skin cancer from the Canadian Dermatology Association.
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Don’t forget to protect your eyes when you’re in the sun. Learn more from Doctors of Optometry Canada.
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Tips on protecting children from skin damage are available from the Canadian Paediatric Society.
Workplace and environmental exposure
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Health Canada – Outdoor Air Quality
Find out how outdoor air pollution can affect your health and what you can do to reduce your exposure to it.
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Health Canada – Health Risks of Asbestos
Learn about the sources and health risks of asbestos and what you can do to minimize your risk.
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Health Canada
Search alphabetically for environmental and occupational chemicals and find out what you can do to reduce your exposure to them.
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CAREX Canada - Profiles and estimates of occupational and environmental exposure
Read profiles and estimates of occupational and environmental exposure for a number of known, probable and possible carcinogenic (cancer-causing) agents.