Healthbox installed at 10 Hotel Dieu Street in Miramichi on May 27, 2025

RELEASE -- Miramichi, New Brunswick – May 27, 2025

REACH Nexus, AIDS New Brunswick, and Horizon Health Network are pleased to announce the launch of an Our Healthbox in Miramichi. This marks the sixth Healthbox installation in New Brunswick, made possible through the generous support of Staples Canada via the *Even the Odds* partnership.

Developed by Dr. Sean B. Rourke, Director of REACH Nexus at the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael’s Hospital (Unity Health Toronto), Our Healthbox units feature interactive touchscreens integrated into commercially available vending machines. These transform the vending machines into accessible hubs of community well-being, providing people with what they need to take care of their health.

These cutting-edge machines offer:
- Free, low-barrier access to HIV self-test kits—empowering individuals to know their status
- Harm reduction supplies
- Potentially life-saving naloxone kits to reverse opioid overdoses
- Wellness products, including menstrual and hygiene supplies
- Seasonal essentials like hats and gloves, tailored to the community’s needs

 “Healthcare should be a right, not a privilege—yet for many, accessing what they need for their health remains out of reach,” said Dr. Rourke. “Our Healthbox is about changing that reality. It’s a way to stand up for equity and compassion in health. By making essential supplies freely and discreetly available, we’re creating space for people to care for themselves without fear, judgment, or barriers. This is about meeting people where they are and building a healthier, more inclusive future—one community at a time.”

Support from Staples Canada

Staples Canada, through the Even the Odds program—an innovative partnership between Staples Canada and MAP at St. Michael’s Hospital—is generously supporting the Miramichi Healthbox.

 “At Staples Canada, giving back to the communities where we live and work is at the heart of who we are as an organization. Our *Even the Odds* partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to creating healthier, more equitable communities across Canada,” said Michel Melancon, Regional Vice President, Eastern Region, Staples Canada. “We believe everyone deserves equal access to health and wellness resources, and we’re proud to support the *Our Healthbox* program in Miramichi and across the region.”

Location and Partnerships

Located at 10 Hotel Dieu Street, the Miramichi *Healthbox* is operated in partnership with AIDS New Brunswick and Horizon Health Network.

 “This initiative is a step toward increasing equitable access to wellness items and essential harm reduction supplies for our most vulnerable community members,” said Dr. Arifur Rahman, Acting Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health of New Brunswick. “By reducing barriers and meeting people where they are, we are addressing the social determinants of health and advancing our commitment to health equity and community well-being.”

Impact and Data

There are now 14 *Our Healthboxes* across Canada, including recent launches in Toronto and Winnipeg.

Beyond accessibility, these smart vending machines are equipped with real-time data analytics to:
- Track usage
- Ensure product availability
- Provide insights into community health trends

This data enables rapid, evidence-informed responses to public health needs.

Achievements

To date:
- Over 122,000 visits to *Our Healthboxes*
- Distribution of more than 52,000 harm reduction, wellness, and sexual health items
- Over 2,200 naloxone kits

Our Healthbox is a vital step toward accessible, community-driven healthcare—where innovation meets compassion, and no one is left behind.

Funding and Support

The national Healthbox program is generously funded by:
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
- Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
- BMO
- Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research
- TD Canada Trust
- St. Michael’s Foundation
- The Jackman Foundation
- Power to Give Foundation

Get Involved

To donate to *Even the Odds* and support this life-changing initiative, visit https://Staples.ca/EvenTheOdds.

For more information about *Our Healthbox*, to track its progress, or to find a location near you, please visit http://www.ourhealthbox.ca

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About REACH Nexus at MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions 

REACH Nexus is a national research group focused on addressing HIV, Hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs) in Canada. Based at the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, REACH works to reach the undiagnosed, expand testing options, connect people to care, improve access to prevention (PrEP and PEP), and reduce stigma.

About AIDS New Brunswick  
AIDS New Brunswick is a provincial, non-profit organization promoting the health and well-being of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS and other STBBIs. The organization adopts a non-judgmental and sex-positive approach to prevention, harm reduction, education, and support.

About MAP  
MAP is Canada’s largest research centre focused on health equity and social determinants of health. Recognized internationally for its innovation and real-world impact, MAP develops evidence-based programs and policies to disrupt cycles of exclusion and poor health. Based at St. Michael’s Hospital, part of Unity Health Toronto, MAP partners with communities and policymakers nationwide to address issues like homelessness, intimate partner violence, healthcare access, and opioid-related harms. Learn more at https://maphealth.ca.

About Staples Canada  
Staples Canada is *The Working and Learning Company*. With 298 stores across Canada and a robust online presence at Staples.ca, the company helps individuals and businesses work smarter, learn more, and grow every day. Staples supports communities through initiatives like *Even the Odds*, a partnership with MAP that aims to close critical gaps in health equity. Learn more at https://staples.ca or follow @StaplesCanada on social media.