Message from Dr. Nicola Mercer, Medical Officer of Health and CEO

As I reflect on the past year, I am reminded how quickly the public health landscape continues to evolve and how important it is for our Agency to evolve with it. In light of this observation, I am pleased to introduce the 2025 Community Report for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (WDG) Public Health, which highlights how our teams have responded to both long-standing health priorities and emerging challenges. This year’s report captures the breadth of our work, from supporting families and improving access to care, to responding to infectious disease risks, to further strengthening partnerships across our communities.

In 2025, innovation remained central to how we approached our work. We advanced tools that help residents connect with services more easily, including digital supports that streamline communication and improve access to care. We also strengthened protection against nicotine and substance-related harms in schools, supported families through early outreach programs and responded rapidly to emerging risks, from measles activity to mosquito-borne illness. These examples reflect how our Agency constantly adapts, using evidence, partnerships and new approaches to stay on top of health trends that affect our region.

Looking forward, we know that protecting community health requires both vigilance and creativity. Whether we are responding to infectious diseases, addressing inequities in access to care, or using new technologies to improve service delivery, our goal remains the same: to support healthier lives for everyone in Wellington County, Dufferin County and the City of Guelph. On behalf of the dedicated staff at WDG Public Health, thank you for your continued trust and partnership as we work together toward a healthier future.