News

South East Health Unit to unveil new art installation honouring Indigenous representation

Kingston – On Wednesday, July 2, 2025, the South East Health Unit (SEHU) will unveil new commissioned artwork by Indigenous artist Judi Montgomery at its Kingston office. Montgomery’s artwork, to be permanently displayed in the public health office foyer, reflects Indigenous perspectives on health, wellness, identity and belonging. It embodies SEHU’s commitment to health equity and the meaningful inclusion of Indigenous voices in health-care environments.

The SEHU Kingston office (formerly KFL&A...

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Multi-day heat warning issued for South East Health Unit region

Environment Canada has issued a warning for the entirety of the South East Health Unit (SEHU) area for a multi-day heat event that began on Sunday. For specific information about the alerts in your area, please visit Environment Canada’s Weather Information page.  

Conditions during high heat and humidity have the potential to cause dehydration and heat illnesses, which include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat fainting, heat edema (swelling of hands, feet and ankles), heat rash and heat cramps...

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The South East Health Unit Celebrates Pride

June is Pride month. Pride is both a celebration of the diverse sexualities, genders and gender expressions of individuals that make up our communities, and a movement to increase visibility and awareness of the inequities that impact 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. The South East Health Unit (SEHU) has an important role to play in advocating for health equity.

Gender identity and sexual orientation are determinants of health that can have a significant impact on the health outcomes of individuals and...

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Special Air Quality Statement for the SEHU region

Environment Canada has issued Special Air Quality Statements for various areas within the South East Health Unit (SEHU) region. Smoke is causing or expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility. Wildfire smoke is expected over the area today. The potential for ground level smoke may continue tonight into Friday for some areas.

Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is a scale designed to help people make decisions to protect their health by limiting exposure to air pollution. 

If you are...

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PSA: Special Air Quality Statement

Kingston — Environment Canada has issued a Special Air Quality Statement for the following areas:

• Bannockburn
• Bon Echo Park
• Consecon
• Frontenac Islands
• Kaladar
• Kingston
• Napanee
• Odessa
• Plevna
• Sharbot Lake
• South Frontenac
• Sydenham
• Tamworth
• Western Lanark County

Smoke is causing or expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility. Wildfire smoke is expected over the area today. The potential for ground level smoke may continue tonight into Friday for some areas.

AQHI is a scale designed to help people make...

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World No Tobacco Day 2025

May 31 is World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), an occasion to draw attention to the harms of commercial tobacco use and to encourage quit attempts among people who smoke or vape. It is important to recognize the distinction between harmful commercial tobacco and traditional tobacco, which is sacred to many Indigenous Peoples, and used in cultural ceremonies, prayers, and offerings.

This year’s WNTD theme set by the World Health Organization is “Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco...

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SEHU Board of Health Update for April 2025

The South East Health Unit (SEHU) Board of Health met today in Kingston for their regular monthly meeting. The agenda package is available online. Public health funding Following a presentation by John Wickson, Manager of Finance, illustrating the need for sustainable public health funding to keep pace with inflation, population growth, and the growing scope and complexity of public health work, the Board passed a motion to request participation in the Ministry of Health’s review of the public...

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South East Health Unit reporting new measles exposure locations

South East Health Unit (SEHU) is advising residents of potential measles exposure at several sites in the southeast region related to a new single positive case of measles.

If you attended the following locations at these dates and times, you may have been exposed to measles:

If you were at any of the above locations during the exposure times:

1. Check vaccination records to ensure protection from measles.

• Immunity requires two doses of a measles vaccine or proof of immunity through a laboratory...

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