Our Healthbox Lands in Newfoundland: Free Health Supplies Now Within Reach Thanks to Staples Canada

Stephenville, Newfoundland – Feb. 25, 2026 – St. Michael’s Hospital’s MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions and People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Centre (PDIFC) are thrilled to announced the launch of Newfoundland and Labrador’s first Our Healthbox, thanks to generous support from Staples Canada through their Even the Odds partnership.  

Located at 35 Carolina Avenue in Stephenville, the People of the Dawn Healthbox will distribute free health and wellness supplies such as HIV self-test kits – including the OraQuick oral swab HIV self-test – Naloxone kits, harm reduction and drug screening kits, sexual health items, traditional medicines, snacks, nutritional drinks and period packs.

PDIFC is a non-profit organization that delivers culturally appropriate services to Indigenous people – regardless of status – in urban communities. The Centre provides services and supports to assist people with challenges related to employment, health, education, justice and housing.  

“This project and its partnerships continue our commitment to meeting the health needs of our community in meaningful and innovative ways,” said Patrick Park-Tighe, executive director of People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Centre.

“We are very excited about this project launch as it lowers barriers to access for individuals while letting them choose how to engage with the resources and supports most essential to them. We look forward to introducing visitors and clients to this new and novel addition to our Centre.”

Developed by Dr. Sean B. Rourke, director of REACH Nexus at the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Our Healthbox units feature interactive touch screens integrated into commercially available vending machines, transforming them into accessible hubs of community wellbeing that give people what they need to take care of their health, when they need it.

These cutting-edge machines offer free, low-barrier access to HIV self-test kits – empowering individuals to know their status – harm reduction supplies as well as potentially life-saving Naloxone kits to reverse opioid overdoses. The machine also provides wellness products, including menstrual and hygiene supplies, and seasonal essentials such as hats and gloves, tailored to the unique needs of each community.

“Everyone in Canada has the right to healthcare and yet fa rtoo many people are being left behind,” said Dr. Rourke. “We’re excited tobring Our Healthbox to Newfoundland and Labrador. This is what equity in actionlooks like: free, discreet access to essential health and harm reduction supplies, without fear, stigma, judgment, or barriers.

"Our Healthbox meets people where they are and puts compassion at the centre of care, helping to build healthier, more inclusive communities.”

The PDIFC Healthbox is one of two Newfoundland Healthbox units and one of eight in the Atlantic Provinces supported by Staples Canada, through their Even the Odds partnership with MAP.

There are now 24 Our Healthboxes across Canada, including recent launches in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.

These smart vending machines combine accessibility with real-time data analytics, tracking usage, ensuring supplies, and providing insights into community health trends for rapid, evidence-informed public health responses. To date, Our Healthboxes have reached more than 16,500people, distributing 1,800 HIV self-test kits, 4,100+ naloxone kits, 7,500+sexual health items, and more than 38,100 health and wellness supplies.

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

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 toprevention (PrEP and PEP), and reduce stigma.

About MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions

MAP is Canada’s largest research centre focused on health equity and the social determinants of health. Internationally recognized for groundbreaking science and innovation, MAP develops and implements real-world, evidence-driven program and policy solutions that disrupt cycles of socio economic exclusion and poor health. For more than 25 years, MAP has partnered with communities and policy makers across the country to take on complex issues such as homelessness, intimate partner violence, inequitable access to healthcare and the prevention of opioid-related harms. MAP is based at St. Michael’s Hospital (Unity Health Toronto). Learn more at maphealth.ca.

REACH Nexus Contact Andrew Russell

Senior Communications Specialist

REACH Nexus - MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions

📧andrew.russell@unityhealth.to

📞416-268-7642