Public Health Services Annual Report

Supporting health and well‑being where it matters most through the everyday services people rely on.

Healthy Babies
Connected families to early prenatal and infant‑feeding support through:

• Nearly 900 prenatal screenings for expectant families.
• Breastfeeding and infant‑feeding support to over 3,000 individuals.

Dental Health
Provided access to timely dental care, including:

• 7,678 clinic visits for children, adults and seniors.
• Dental screening for over 15,600 school-aged children.

Healthy Eating & Food Skills
Built healthy food skills with kids through the “You’re the Chef” after‑school program at five recreation sites, helping children learn practical cooking and nutrition skills that support long‑term health.

Healthy Schools
Engaged in a pilot program in four priority schools that supported the early identification of vulnerabilities in kindergarten students’ social and emotional development.

Protecting the community by reducing risks and responding to emerging threats.

Substance Use & Harm Reduction
Expanded access to life‑saving harm reduction supports, distributing 19,619 naloxone kits across Hamilton, a 24.8% increase from 2024.

Cycling Safety & Injury
Supported safe, active travel to school by partnering with 11 schools to develop plans that help more students walk and bike safely, reaching over one‑third of priority schools and on track for 80% by 2027.

Heat & Wildfires

• Monitoring data and forecasts to guide public messaging
• Identified four Cleaner Air Spaces for public use during Air Quality Health Index and wildfire smoke events
• Issued heat warnings to activate community heat response supports
• Distributed 505 ‘Cool Kits’ to vulnerable individuals

Responding to community needs through improved access and partnerships.

• Hamilton Public Health, the City of Hamilton, and community partners transitioned to a semi‑autonomous governance model, strengthening local leadership and collaboration.
• Partnered with the Primary Care Network of the Greater Hamilton Health Network to connect more residents to primary care resulting in 91.2% of Hamilton residents being attached and reflecting strong access to care.*
• Expanded support for quitting smoking and vaping through enhanced community services, targeted outreach in priority areas, and strengthened virtual supports and referrals.
• Launched a pilot project at the Eva Rothwell Centre to bring services closer to the community, with a dedicated Public Health Nurse providing weekly, one‑stop access to public health programs, information, and support.
• Child & Adolescent Services increased access to mental health support for children and youth by delivering walk‑in, single‑session counselling in trusted, community‑based locations.

*Ontario Health, Primary Care Action Team Data Package, eReport Portal [Accessed 13 May 2026].

Advancing the Indigenous Health Strategy
The Indigenous Well-Being Advisory Circle hosted a total of 11 meetings to advise and consult on health and social services with various community organizations.

“Through its ongoing work, the Circle embodies the principle of “Nothing for Us; Without Us” by honouring Indigenous self-determination and ensuring that Indigenous people are active partners in shaping the policies and services that impact their health and well-being. 

We thank Hamilton Public Health and the Hamilton Board of Health for their continued commitment to Indigenous-led governance and accountability, and we look forward to continued collaboration in support of Indigenous health equity and community-driven solutions.”

– Kelly Gordon, Indigenous Well-Being Advisory Circle Member