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Showing posts from May, 2023

U.S. ruling gives Sackler family, owners of Purdue Pharma, immunity from opioid lawsuits

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The Sackler family, the wealthy owners of Purdue Pharma, will be shielded from future lawsuits related to the opioid epidemic under a plan approved by a U.S. federal appeals court.

Canada to put health warning labels directly on cigarettes in world first

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Health Canada has announced new warning labels to be printed directly on cigarettes in an effort to deter new smokers, encourage quitting and reduce tobacco-related deaths, in a world first that experts hope will have a significant impact. 

Canadian researchers use AI to find a possible treatment for bacteria superbug

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A group involving McMaster University scientists have used artificial intelligence to find a treatment for Acinetobacter baumannii, a deadly superbug that, until now, was resistant to previously known antibiotics.

Some patients opt to pay for U.S. cancer screening, even as new B.C. program seeks to alleviate backlog

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West Vancouver resident Leah Rowntree had to wait a month for an ultrasound scan in B.C. after she discovered a lump in her breast, but it wasn't until she made a trip to the U.S. and had an MRI there that she learned it was a lot more serious than she'd been told.

Ontario hospitals prepare and brace for summer ER staffing challenges

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Hospitals in smaller and rural Ontario communities have been recruiting, training, and poring over schedules in the hopes of avoiding another summer wave of temporary ER closures — though the problem never really went away.

ER doctors at 2 more B.C. hospitals say staffing crisis leaves patients with 'undignified' care

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Dozens of emergency doctors from two more hospitals in B.C.'s Lower Mainland have joined a chorus of emergency room physicians speaking out about the dire situation inside their hospital departments, pushing the total number of staff who've spoken out in the last two weeks alone to more than 70.

B.C. initiative aims to expand genetic screening for Ashkenazi Jewish people at risk of hereditary cancers

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An imminent pilot project will study the prevalence of the BRCA mutations among Ashkenazi Jewish peoples in B.C. and aims to offer free, voluntary genetic testing to everyone with that heritage.

Brain surgeon Henry Marsh on what it felt like to receive his own bad cancer news

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Noted neurosurgeon Henry Marsh, currently in remission, chronicles his own cancer diagnosis in his new book.

More concern, more letters from Alberta ER doctors saying health system in crisis

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More doctors across Alberta are speaking out, saying their emergency rooms are under intense strain, despite political messaging to the contrary.

Free medications produce overall health-care savings in Ontario trial, new study suggests

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Results from an experimental program that provides free prescription drugs to hundreds of people in Ontario suggest covering the cost of medication produces overall savings for the health-care system, according to a new study.

B.C. concussion researchers propose change to 'wildly inconsistent' way the brain injury is diagnosed

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Recognizing and properly diagnosing concussions has also been an issue in clinical settings. A Vancouver researcher hopes that will change with a new diagnostic standard he helped develop.

How do we solve the family doctor shortage?

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Many Canadians still don’t have access to a family doctor. CBC’s Omar Dabaghi-Pacheco explores short-term and long-term solutions to the problem.

Calgary doctors warn emergency rooms 'collapsing' in open letter

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A group of nearly 200 Calgary ER doctors is sounding the alarm, with an open letter to Albertans, about the state of emergency rooms in the city, warning the system is collapsing and they're struggling to provide timely and effective care to patients.

Biotech company expands antibody research, production facilities in Vancouver with government cash boost

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The Canadian biotech company that helped develop the first antibody therapy treatment for COVID-19 is more than doubling the size of its planned expansion in Vancouver.

Senior physician says staffing shortage has Surrey Memorial Hospital ER in 'deep trouble'

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The most senior emergency physician at one of British Columbia's busiest hospitals has come forward to warn the public about the ongoing crisis inside the emergency department, saying the situation has deteriorated to the point where some patients are waiting as many as three days to be admitted to other wards.

Renfrew County's virtual pandemic project might be short-term fix for family doctor shortage

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When it comes to Ontario’s family doctor shortage, the paramedic chief in Renfrew County thinks he's found a cure with a hybrid model of care.

With Still, Michael J. Fox wanted to get real about sharing his journey with Parkinson's disease

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The documentary STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie, was released on Apple TV+ earlier this month and the celebrated actor sat down for an interview with CBC’s Harry Forestell to reflect on making the film and sharing his experience with Parkinson’s disease in such a public way.

Canadian research raises concerns about increase in ER visits by pregnant people using cannabis

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Researchers behind a new study suggesting an increase in hospital visits by pregnant people related to cannabis use say they’re concerned about the potential risks, including premature births and low birth weights.

How the polio epidemic revolutionized modern medicine

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In the early twentieth century, a diagnosis of polio could mean almost certain death. By 1952, the epidemic had devastated countries in Europe and baffled medical professionals. In her book, The Autumn Ghost, Dr. Hannah Wunsch explores how Danish doctors revolutionized their practice in the midst of this tragedy.

Manitoba chiropractor cleared of misconduct after posting pro-vaccine news story

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The case against chiropractor Carolyn Weiss placed her in the middle of an ongoing divide in the profession over vaccination, an internal conflict that splits chiropractors between two factions: the evidence-based practitioners and the more traditional ones, explained experts.

Patient claims she suffered brain injury after B.C. doctors lost track of opioids given for pain

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A woman has filed a lawsuit against Interior Health and three physicians that claims she suffered an opiate overdose and subsequent brain injury after doctors lost track of how much pain medication she'd been given during a hospital stay in 2021.

He wasn't worried by the spot on his tongue. His dental hygienist thought it looked like cancer

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A routine, semi-annual cleaning appointment at the dentist led to a life-saving discovery for Edmonton man Jonathan Teghtmeyer.

Family medicine for all: Community health centres serve their neighbours, but capacity issues remain

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Family docs at community health centres care for anyone. Advocates say they could help fix a primary care crisis. Now, though, much like health care offices across the country, they are contending with capacity issues of their own.

National dental plan must address major access and equity issues, disability advocates say

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As Canada prepares this year to unveil a national dental plan that will include oral health care for people with disabilities — as well as low-income earners, seniors and children — advocates are pleading with the government to deal with what they describe as major barriers to equitable and accessible care.

It took 60 years, but RSV vaccines are just around the corner — and could make a big difference

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A newly approved vaccine for older adults, as well as other potential treatments to protect infants, could make a monumental difference in the number of people being hospitalized and dying from RSV, infectious disease and public health experts say. 

From cancer to mental health, firefighters battle on long after the smoke clears

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Some firefighters have welcomed Alberta's move to expand presumptive cancer coverage for the profession, but say first responders need help with their mental as well as physical health.

Drop in cancer diagnoses in 2020 possibly linked to COVID-19 disruptions: Statistics Canada

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Statistics Canada says there was a notable decline in new cancer diagnoses in 2020, possibly due to pandemic-related disruptions in screening services.

Committee of MPs, former judges to examine firing of 2 National Microbiology Lab scientists

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Members from all official parties in the House of Commons and three former judges will sit on a new ad hoc committee to look into the controversial firing of two scientists from Canada's top virology lab in Winnipeg.

Canada has some of the highest teen vaping rates in the world, new data shows 

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New national data shows the number of Canadian teenagers regularly using e-cigarettes ranks among the highest in the world, and experts say a lack of action from the federal government and the widespread availability of flavoured vapes is fuelling a growing crisis.

Toronto-based study aims to bridge knowledge gap in women's cardiovascular health

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Heart disease remains the global leading cause of death for both men and women, but women have long been underrepresented in cardiovascular disease research.

Some B.C. cancer patients to be offered radiation treatments in Bellingham, Wash.

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The B.C. government says eligible cancer patients in the province will be temporarily offered radiation treatment in Washington state. 

ER physicians' letter describes 'crisis' at Surrey Memorial Hospital that's leaving patients suffering

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Dozens of physicians at the busiest emergency room in B.C. have released a scathing letter describing an unrelenting "crisis" at the department due to ongoing overcrowding and understaffing.

Opioid-related deaths dropped in Toronto in 2022, expert says more robust response to crisis needed

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Toronto saw a drop in opioid-related deaths in 2022 compared to the previous year, but one expert says there still needs to be a more robust response to the opioid crisis.

No end in sight to kids' mental health crisis, Calgary doctors warn

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Alberta Children's Hospital is facing a growing wave of children with complex mental health needs and requiring admission, leaving some families stuck for days in the emergency room.

Hormone therapy should be offered to more women with severe menopause: review

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More women suffering from "debilitating" symptoms of menopause should be presented with the option of hormone therapy, according to a paper published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal on Monday.

Quebec sent Ottawa hospital hundreds of birth alerts despite Ontario ban

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Despite the fact that Ontario put a stop to birth alerts in 2020, Quebec child welfare agencies continued to send hundreds of the controversial notifications — which can be used to threaten to or actually seize newborns from their mothers — to Ottawa's largest hospital.

A B.C. man called a toll-free mental health hotline. He was charged $33 for the call

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A Metro Vancouver man was shocked when his phone provider charged him for a call with a toll-free hotline for mental health support. 

Melanoma can be deadly. But experts say it's easy to protect your skin and catch it early

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Rates of melanoma are going up in Canada, but experts say this type of skin cancer is highly preventable if you protect yourself from sun exposure and check your skin for irregular moles. 

Feel sick when you play VR? It's pretty common and this Waterloo researcher wants to know why

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A new study out of the University of Waterloo in Ontario has resulted in a test to determine who might experience cybersickness when using virtual reality. It's hoped the research will lead to better VR experiences and ways to help people cope with cybersickness.

Hundreds of thousands of Canadians get concussions each year — many don't recover

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Hundreds of thousands of Canadians get concussions every year, and a growing body of research suggests that many take much longer to recover than previously thought — or don’t ever fully recover at all.

Heart patients face another medication shortage. This time it's nitroglycerin tablets

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A nationwide shortage of a fast-acting heart medication is getting worse as tight supplies of one form of the drug have depleted stock of another.

Nursing agencies are staffing hospitals at 'huge cost' to health-care system, experts say

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Burned-out nurses who've left Canada's healthcare industry in droves are now returning to the job through private agencies, and that transition is costing the public system millions of dollars every year.

WHO declares end to mpox emergency, though scientists warn of potential for 'resurgence'

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The World Health Organization has declared an end to the global mpox public health emergency. But while the virus may have faded from public consciousness, experts say there’s still cause for concern if countries scale back surveillance and vaccination efforts at a time when the virus remains in global circulation.

NHL enforcers die 10 years younger than their fellow players, study finds

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A study of former National Hockey League players shows that enforcers who spent a lot of time dropping their gloves or in the penalty box lived significantly shorter lives than their peers.

Water beads can be fatal if swallowed, Health Canada warns parents

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Health Canada is warning parents and caregivers about water beads, a toy that can be fatal if swallowed.

Prescribed alcohol program in Halifax to add social activities after finding surprising side effect

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An evaluation of a harm reduction program that prescribes alcohol to people who have struggled with homelessness in Halifax is showing positive results almost three years on — but it’s had a surprising side effect.

Northern Ontario's 5 largest cities continue to have highest opioid death rates in province

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Dallas Kosy, who lost a brother-in-law to addiction, says he's not surprised a recent coroner's report shows the north's five largest cities continue to have the highest opioid-related mortality rates in Ontario. Kosy believes there needs to be more supportive housing, and advocates say more funding for services and better policies could save lives.

Toronto gynecologist given 4-month suspension for dishonourable conduct

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A gynecologist at the centre of a years-long CBC investigation has had his medical licence suspended for four months following a regulatory hearing. "It is important to note that Dr. Gerber did not plead guilty to the allegations against him, but rather he pleaded 'no contest,'" his lawyer said.

Canada should follow U.S. call to screen for breast cancer at 40, doctors and patients say

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Doctors and breast cancer survivors are urging Canada to follow the example set by a U.S. task force and lower the recommended age for regular screening mammograms to 40. They say starting regular mammograms at 50 risks missing early, aggressive cancers.

Could a national physician registry help Alberta's doctor shortage? Some physicians think so

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As Alberta continues to grapple with physician shortages, some doctors point to the concept of a unified national licensing system as one possible relief valve, particularly for rural areas.

B.C. family who lost brother challenges hospital procedures for discharging patients under Mental Health Act

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Following the death of their brother, a B.C. family is speaking out, demanding better hospital practices around the involvement of loved ones in the treatment and discharge of patients under the Mental Health Act.