Under the Chronic Disease and Well-Being standard, the OPHS requires boards of health to consider a range of topics based on local need, and provide interventions aimed at reducing the burden of chronic disease and improving well being for local residents. In WEC, priorities include improving mental health, and increasing healthy eating and physical activity. Local public health interventions to address these priorities involve a comprehensive health promotion model that includes: public education and awareness, policy and supportive environments, and direct services. Some examples of data related to the local priorities include:
- In 2015/16, approximately two out of every three (64.5%) residents in Windsor and Essex County were overweight or obese, making it the most common chronic health problem locally. This is significantly higher than the rate in Ontario (58.3%).
- In 2015, cardiovascular disease was the leading cause of chronic disease death in Windsor and Essex County and the rate of these deaths (215.2 deaths per 100,000 residents) was significantly higher than the rate for Ontario (170.0 deaths per 100,000 residents).
- In 2015/16, approximately one in ten (10.2%) residents in WEC reported experiencing a mood disorder.
- The rate of mental health-related emergency department visits for Windsor and Essex County residents (2,499.6 visits per 100,000 residents in 2017) was significantly higher than Ontario (2,181.9 visits per 100,000 residents in 2017).