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The environment affects our children more than it does adults for various reasons (read on below). The Thunder Bay District Health Unit’s role is to inform the public about these risks and provide information on how to reduce them. We want to help you ensure your children – and all children living…
Ammonia is a colourless gas with a very distinct odour. People may readily recognize this smell because it is used in many household cleaners and window cleaning products. High levels of airborne ammonia gas can dissolve in water to cause corrosive ammonium hydroxide. Most people smell ammonia…
Radon is an invisible, odourless radioactive gas that can be found in homes across Canada. It is produced naturally in the ground as uranium breaks down. The resulting gas can seep through cracks in the foundation, pipe openings, sump pits, and other openings into your home. Although it is present…
This page contains a curated list of both local and provincial/federal resources, as well as information on a local working group that provides a network for professionals and other interested parties. This list was updated on April 4, 2024.
Upcoming trainings and workshops, suggested by SAGE…
The Sexual Health Clinic at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit provides education on a variety of topics including:
Birth control
Pregnancy and options
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) testing and counselling
Pap testing
General questions about sexual health
Our clinic is open to…
Sharing Nudes
Sharing nudes can be a normal part of exploring body and sexuality for young people, but it comes with risks. Before sending a nude, it's important to consider whether you feel pressured, if the recipient can keep it private, and whether you can avoid showing your face or identifying…
Puberty
Puberty is the time when kids mature into young adults through physical, emotional and social changes. These changes usually happen between 8 and 18 years of age. Some kids go through puberty quickly, others more slowly. Overall, puberty can last for 2-5 years. Parents often wonder how to…
Touch helps people connect, but children need to understand the difference between ‘okay’ and ‘not okay’ touch.
Here are five key points:
Ownership of Their Body: Teach your child that their body belongs to them. No one can touch them without permission, and inappropriate touches are wrong and…
Teaching Kids About Safe Touch, Consent, Bodies and Sex
When it comes to learning about sex, children learn from several different sources including parents, peers, schools, the internet, media, and religious institutions. However, parents are a child’s most important role model.
Talking to your…
How does pornography affect children, teenagers and young people?
When talking to your kids about sexuality and relationships, it’s crucial to recognize the troubling messages found in online pornography. Much of this content ignores the importance of consent and safe sex, normalizes violence, and…
Can Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding be used as a Method of Contraception (birth control)?
Yes. Breastfeeding/chestfeeding can be used for birth control, but only if you answer “Yes” to ALL of the four statements below:
My baby is less than 6 months old.
I have not had a period since my baby…
AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). The virus is passed from person to person through direct contact with blood or bodily fluids. You can get HIV in a number of ways including:
Unprotected sex
Sharing drug equipment (needles, spoons,…
Getting Off to a Good Start
Breastfeeding/chestfeeding is natural but it can take a little time for breastfeeding/chestfeeding individuals and babies to learn. Pregnancy is a great time to get information and talk to health care providers and others who know…
The Street Outreach team provides free, confidential, non-emergency public health support to anyone who is street-involved, including people who are homeless, under-housed, and/or using substances in the City of Thunder Bay.
The Street Outreach Program is like a mobile Health Unit. Staffed by…