London, ON – This morning, community leaders met outside the commercial kitchen at the Huron Street location of the London InterCommunity Health Centre. They were gathered to celebrate the expansion of a 30-year-old program operated by the Middlesex-London Health Unit called Smart Start for Babies. The Health Centre is one of two new sites for a program that supports nearly 200 participants each year. Smart Start is a weekly prenatal education and nutrition program offered to pregnant individuals who enroll before 30 weeks of pregnancy and continue until the birth of their baby. It offers pregnancy specific nutritional guidance, hands on food preparation and skill building, social connection, and referrals to community services. Public health dietitians and nurses facilitate the programming. A three-year commitment of more than $200,000 annually from the London Food Bank allowed the program to expand from six groups a week to eight. One is offered at the Huron Street site and welcomes clients of LIHC. The second is offered at BGC London in partnership with Type Diabeat-it and serves members of the African, Caribbean and Black communities. "Good nutrition is foundational for healthy pregnancy and healthy newborns. For many reasons, not every pregnant individual has access to the nutrition they need during this time. Smart Start for Babies fills an important role – but we couldn't grow to meet the diverse needs of our community without partnerships like these ones," says Dr. Alex Summers, Medical Officer of Health at the Middlesex-London Health Unit. "The London Food Bank firmly believes that an effective response for vulnerable infants is of highest priority in our community. Forty percent of the people we help at the food bank are kids and we believe our community would be heartened to see that we are coming together to put our efforts and resources where our policies and research are. It’s our hope to bring the public, and other groups that support us, onside in the belief that our Health Unit is pivotal to us all, and that partnering with them would present an opening response to the chances of a better and healthier live for these children and their families. The SSFB program will be the key delivery mechanism, but what caused the coming together as organizations was our belief that our kids deserve better in such an affluent society,” says Jane Roy, Co-Executive Director, London Food Bank. Within the context of a community in which one in three households experiences food insecurity, programs such as Smart Start for Babies are increasingly important for the reduction of pre-term births and low birth weight, improved infant health outcomes and better maternal health. Additional Quotes from our Partners: “For years, we have been building trust, listening to families and doing the work in our community. This is the kind of partnership we’ve been waiting for—one that respects that work and recognizes the expertise Black-led organizations bring. We are stronger together when community has a real role in shaping care. I’m excited about what this means for ACB (African, Caribbean, Black) mothers and families in London.” Mystery Furtado, CEO, Type-Diabeat-it
"We know that a healthy pregnancy depends on more than medical care. For many families we serve, food insecurity, financial pressures, and social isolation create additional challenges. Bringing Smart Start for Babies to the Health Centre allows us to offer support in a familiar, welcoming environment and help families build meaningful connections. We are grateful to the Middlesex-London Health Unit for its longstanding commitment to maternal and infant health, to the London Food Bank for its generous investment, and our community partners for helping more families get a healthy start." Anne-Marie Sanchez, Associate Executive Director, London InterCommunity Health Centre  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 19, 2026LONDON, ON- Beginning Monday, October 26, 2026, COVID-19 and influenza immunizations will be available for free for everyone six months of age and older who lives in Ontario. People who are 75+ can also receive RSV immunization at no cost.Most local pharmacies will offer COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, while primary care providers may offer both vaccines, as well as RSV immunization for adults 75 and older.The Health Unit will offer respiratory season immunization clinics for individuals who are unable to access immunizations through their primary care provider or local pharmacy.Dr. Hugh Guan, the Health Unit’s Acting Associate Medical Officer of Health, encourages community members to consider what matters most to them and how a potentially serious respiratory infection could affect their health and daily lives.“We can protect ourselves and those around us during respiratory season,” said Guan. “Immunization reduces our risk of serious illness from COVID-19, influenza and RSV. Additional measures, such as staying home when sick, covering a cough, and hand washing, can also help prevent the spread of respiratory infections.”Guan also reminds the community that when respiratory illness numbers increase, so do emergency department visits and hospitalizations. “When we get immunized – especially when we are 65 and older or at higher risk of illness - we protect ourselves and the health care system. There is a role for each of us to play during respiratory season.”Resources:Respiratory Season Landing Page, including clinic dates and times: https://www.healthunit.com/2026-respiratory-season. COVID-19 and flu vaccine pharmacy locations: https://www.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations/.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) have issued a (Yellow) Heat Warning beginning Tuesday, September 1, and extending through to Wednesday, September 2, and possibly lasting into Thursday, September 3, 2026. A Yellow weather alert indicates that conditions are expected to pose an increased risk to health and daily activities, particularly for those who are more vulnerable to extreme heat. Heat is expected to build throughout the week, with daytime high temperatures ranging from 30°C to 32°C and overnight lows of 20°C to 23°C. Because temperatures are not expected to cool significantly overnight, the risk of heat-related illness will increase. We are encouraging community members to be prepared and take precautions, be safe and check in on family, friends, and neighbours – especially those who may be more vulnerable to extreme heat. Heat Warnings are issued when one or more of the following criteria are met:Environment and Climate Change Canada issues a forecast calling for a daytime high of 31°C or higher and a forecast low of 20°C or higher for two consecutive days, or; Environment and Climate Change Canada issues a forecast calling for a Humidex of 40 or higher for two consecutive days, or; Environment and Climate Change Canada Forecasters anticipate that actual temperatures and humidex values in London and Middlesex County will reach the thresholds noted above.The Middlesex-London Health Unit reminds the public to take steps to stay cool and to keep hydrated during this heatwave and recommends the following tips to avoid the risks of heat-related illness:Drink plenty of water and natural juices throughout the day, even if you don’t feel very thirsty. Never leave a child or pet in a parked car or sleeping outside in direct sunlight. Avoid drinking caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, including coffee and cola. When possible, avoid spending too much time outdoors. If you must be outside, seek shade as much as possible and plan outdoor activities in the early morning or evening. Wear a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors. Keep shades or drapes drawn and blinds closed on the sunny side of your home. Avoid turning on electric lights in your home. Take a cool bath or shower periodically or cool down with cool, wet towels. Avoid intense or moderately intense physical activity. Use fans to draw cool air at night, but do not rely on a fan as a primary cooling device during extended periods of excessive heat. Reduce the use of personal vehicles and unnecessary idling. Avoid using oil-based paints and glues, pesticides, and gas-powered small engines.Additional Resources:For an explanation of the colour-coded weather alerts, visit the Environment Canada website. For a list of cooling resources in the City of London, including cooling centres, splash pads, park washrooms, water fountains, indoor pools and supports for individuals experiencing homelessness, visit https://london.ca/StayCool. For a list of cooling resources in Middlesex County, including cooling centres, splash pads, and pools, visit: https://library.middlesex.ca/Locations or Swimming Pool and Splash Pads | Visit Middlesex. For more information on heat-related illnesses visit: www.healthunit.com/community-safety/safety-outdoors/extreme-heat/.