Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention – Information for Health Care Professionals

Poverty Screening – Tool and Resources for Health Care Professionals

Key messages

Poverty makes it more challenging for patients to manage their health conditions because they cannot afford the food they need for therapeutic diets, pay for medications, or cover transportation costs to attend medical appointments.

In 2024, over 1 in 4 households (25.7%) in Ottawa experienced food insecurity, meaning unreliable access to food due to financial constraints. This is a significant increase from 15.3% of households in 2019. Food insecurity has a negative impact on physical and mental health. (Ref: Household Food Insecurity Snapshot | Public Health Ontario)

Resources are available to help health care professionals to identify patients living in poverty and better connect them to community resources.

Physician & NP Resources

Addressing Poverty in Clinical Practice

Poverty: A Clinical Tool for Primary Care Professionals is a screening tool to assess patients’ living situations and refer them to appropriate community services, such as free income tax clinics.

Supporting Access to Financial Benefits

Free income tax clinics are available to help patients with modest incomes and simple tax situations to file their income tax returns. This ensures that they receive the government benefits they are entitled to, such as the Canada Child Benefit and GST/HST credits. Filing an income tax return is required to apply for subsidized housing.

Benefits for Patients on Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

Application for Special Diet Allowance (SDA): A patient who is with Ontario Works (OW) or who is on the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) may be eligible for a Special Diet Allowance (SDA), including for common conditions like hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and lactose intolerance.  An approved health care professional must complete the application form.

Resources for Patients

Community and Social Supports

Ontario 211: Patients can search by topic on Ontario 211, including community and social resources related to food programs and services.

Free Nutrition Support

Health Connect Ontario 811 (dial 811) : Patients can speak to a registered dietitian for free.

Financial Supports

Ottawataxclinics.ca: a user-friendly website that helps people find and book free, accessible tax clinics in Ottawa based on location and needs

Active Living: Supporting Active Lifestyles - Information for Health Care Professionals

Key Messages

The evidence-based Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines offer best practice recommendations for people of all ages to move more, reduce sedentary & screen time, and sleep well.
Resources are available to help encourage patients to adopt healthier daily movement behaviours that are essential in managing and preventing numerous chronic diseases.

Canadian Guidelines

Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines

Physician & NP Resources

Clinical Guidance & Educational Resources

The Whole Day Matters Toolkit for Primary Care offers evidence-based resources designed to help support patients in adopting healthier daily movement behaviours for overall health
The 2025 Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play (AOP10) (Outdoor Play Canada) synthesizes the research linking active outdoor play with significant health benefits. The evidence-based AOP10 supports active outdoor play for all ages to help address trends regarding suboptimal movement-related behaviours at the population level (e.g., low physical activity rates, decreased time spent with friends, increased social media/smartphone use, suboptimal sleep hours).
The EverybodyMoves Resource Hub is a database of resources about improving inclusivity and welcoming in physical activity for people living with disabilities

Resources for Patients

Active Living Tools

The Whole Day Matters Toolkit for Primary Care . See pages 4-5 for an interactive handout supporting an active lifestyle for adults (aged 18+). Print it at home or read on your personal device.
The evidence-based Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines offer best practice recommendations for people of all ages to move more, reduce sedentary & screen time, and sleep well.
Resources are available to help encourage patients to adopt healthier daily movement behaviours (i.e., move more, reduce sedentary time, sleep well) that are essential in managing and preventing numerous chronic diseases.

Low and No-Cost Physical Activity Options

Ottawa Public Health’s Strong and Steady is a free, 10-week fall prevention exercise program designed to help adults aged 65+ improve strength, balance, and mobility.
Parks and green space. Parks and public areas around the city to walk, jog, cycle, or be active at no cost.
Sports and Fitness. Leagues, clubs, memberships, and facilities that offer physical activity programs and activities, some free of charge, others with a fee.
Ottawa Public Library – Access Passes. Offers free passes to help library members be more active.
The Ottawa Outdoor Gear Library. Lends outdoor equipment to members for free.
Local run clubs in and around Ottawa.
From May to October, the National Capital Commission (NCC) hosts NCC Weekend Bikedays where some parkways are open for active use.
Senior Centre drop-ins, membership and Active Living Club 50+ (City of Ottawa). Programs, courses, clubs, and seniors’ centers for older adults.

Dietitians: Find a Registered Dietitian in Ottawa -Information for Health Care Professionals

Key Messages

Registered dietitians are nutrition specialists who hold a Bachelor's degree in food and nutrition from an accredited university and have completed supervised practical training. The titles “RD” in English or “Dt.P” in French are protected and regulated by the College of Dietitians of Ontario to protect the public and assure the highest professional standards.
Dietitians provide person‑centred, culturally safe care by partnering with individuals to co‑develop realistic nutrition strategies that reflect social determinants of health, align with the patient’s values and priorities, and support their individualized health goals.
Many insurance plans cover the cost of registered dietitian services.

Resources for Patients

Nutrition Support

Speak to a Registered Dietitian, at no cost. A referral is not required. Call Health811 (dial 811) or visit the website to start a chat.
Find a private practice dietitian near you by visiting Dietitian of Canada's Find a Dietitian search tool.
Community Diabetes Education Program of Ottawa (a program of Centertown Community Health). Self-refer to this free program for adults (18 +) living with pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes. Classes are regularly offered in French, English, Cantonese and Mandarin. Classes in Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese, and Somali are also offered as needed.
UnlockFood.ca. Explore a wide variety of nutrition resources written by registered dietitians.

Weight Inclusive Care - Information for Health Care Professionals

Key messages

Weight stigma negatively impacts patient health, trust, and access to care. A weight-inclusive approach promotes respectful, equitable care while supporting patients to achieve their health goals. (Ref: Ontario Dietitians in Public Health. (2024). Towards a Weight-Inclusive Approach in Public Health: A Position Statement by the Ontario Dietitians in Public Health.)

Health is shaped by social and systemic factors, not weight alone: social determinants like income, housing, and access to care play a far greater role in health than body size or individual behaviors. (Ref: WHO World Report on Social Determinants of Health Equity (2025)).

A growing range of resources support a weight-inclusive approach to patient care, including tools for incorporating non-stigmatizing language, creating size-friendly environments, and ensuring treatment decisions are not based on weight alone.

Physician & NP Resources

Clinical Guidance & Educational Resources 

Healthcare without Harms: Supporting Patients with Weight Inclusive Care. (5-page PDF, Ontario Dietitians in Public Health)

Healthcare Without Harm: Unpacking Weight Science Backgrounder 4-page PDF, Ontario Dietitians in Public Health)

Obesity Education for Health Care Professionals

Education for Healthcare Professionals | Obesity Canada (Obesity Canada)