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Hello, my name is Dr. David McKewan I'm Toronto's Medical Officer of Health.
It's my job to oversee the health of everyone in our city and in particular
the services offered by Toronto Public Health.
Toronto Public Health is launching a survey of students in grades seven to twelve to
better understand the health and health behaviors of Toronto's young people.
This age group is very important.
We know that the best way to improve health over a lifetime
is to start at a young age.
More information about the behaviors of our young people will help us to
determine the best ways to help youth in Toronto to stay healthy as they grow.
In the next few minutes, we'll tell you about the survey to help you decide
whether or not you would like your child to participate.
Toronto Public Health staff including nurses, dental hygienists, and researchers
will be visiting about a hundred and sixty schools in Toronto.
Schools for chosen randomly in such a way that the results will represent
schools across Toronto.
In each school, one class in each grade
from seven to twelve will then be randomly
selected to participate.
The students' survey has three parts.
a quick look at your child's mouth to assess their dental health.
The written questionnaire includes items on:
Questions were reviewed by experts to make sure that they are age-appropriate
and safe for your child to answer.
We know what that different people have different health experiences
so we also ask about your child's background.
This will help us understand how things like race,
language spoken at home, and neighborhood affect the health of youth.
The questionnaire will be handed out and collected by the public health nurse
and completed in-class. Teachers will remain in the classroom but will not be
able to see your child's answers to the questions. Students who do not take part
will be asked to do homework or other school work.
Next, students will move to a private area to have their height and weight
measured by a trained public health nurse.
Measurements are never spoken out loud and your child will not be told his or
her results unless they ask the nurse.
If your child wants to know their own results, the nurse will show them on a
piece of paper.
This is to make sure that the results are private.
In other studies where height and weight were measured,
most students did not find the measurement to be stressful.
If your child does feel anxious, they can speak with the nurse and may choose
to opt out of the measurement.
When all results are grouped together,
we will know the proportion of students at risk
for weight-related health problems.
In the final part of the survey students will have their mouths looked at by a
dental hygienist for any evidence of dental issues.
If the hygienist sees an urgent health problem in their mouth your
child will be told.
You will also be called and the public health staff will give you information
about treatment options for your child.
No treatment will be done during the survey and the examination does not
replace a regular checkup done by a dentist.
If your child has any concerns while taking part in the survey
nurses are trained to help.
Your child does not have to do any part of the survey that makes them feel
uncomfortable
and they can't stop taking the survey at anytime.
All information collected is anonymous and confidential.
Toronto Public Health research staff are the only ones who will have access
to your child's data.
In order to participate, a consent form signed by the parent, guardian,
or student who is eighteen or older must be returned to your
child's teacher.
I hope you found the information in this video helpful
and I urge you to consider allowing your child to take part in the survey.
Participation by twelve thousand students across Toronto will ensure that
we reach all communities in all parts of our city.
The survey results will help Toronto Public Health, the school boards and
other organizations serving youth to improve the health and well-being of
your child and other Toronto young people.
For more information please email, call, or explore our website.
Thank you.