Health

University student Chloe Goodison, shown in this handout image, founded a group that provides overdose prevention education to high school students in Coquitlam, B.C., but is expanding the program this fall with hopes that the province will make awareness about overdose from illicit street drugs a mandatory part of the curriculum instead of leaving that decision to individual school districts. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

Make overdose education mandatory in B.C. schools amid drug emergency, advocates say

More than 10,000 deaths since B.C. declared toxic drug supply a public health emergency in 2016

University student Chloe Goodison, shown in this handout image, founded a group that provides overdose prevention education to high school students in Coquitlam, B.C., but is expanding the program this fall with hopes that the province will make awareness about overdose from illicit street drugs a mandatory part of the curriculum instead of leaving that decision to individual school districts. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO
B.C. Premier John Horgan pauses while speaking during a funding announcement for a planned middle-secondary school, in Coquitlam, B.C., on Tuesday, August 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Horgan cites ambulance ‘investment’ as he addresses Barriere infant death

Premier says the government is working with firefighters as well as the paramedics union

B.C. Premier John Horgan pauses while speaking during a funding announcement for a planned middle-secondary school, in Coquitlam, B.C., on Tuesday, August 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Bottles of British Columbia wine on display at a liquor store in Cremona, Alta., on Feb. 7, 2018. A proposed overhaul of Canada’s decade-old drinking guidelines warns of increased health risks with as few as three drinks per week and calls for mandatory labelling of all alcoholic beverages. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Proposed alcohol guidelines highlight health risks with just a few drinks per week

Risk negligible-to-low for two drinks per week, moderate for three-to-six drinks per week

Bottles of British Columbia wine on display at a liquor store in Cremona, Alta., on Feb. 7, 2018. A proposed overhaul of Canada’s decade-old drinking guidelines warns of increased health risks with as few as three drinks per week and calls for mandatory labelling of all alcoholic beverages. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
British Columbia’s provincial flag flies in Ottawa, Friday July 3, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

‘Heartbreaking loss’: B.C. agency looks into ambulance call after infant death report

BC Emergency Health Services will work with patient care quality office to reach out to the family

British Columbia’s provincial flag flies in Ottawa, Friday July 3, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Six emergency shifts at Port Hardy Hospital remain uncovered in September, according to minutes of a recent Island Health meeting. (Island Health photo)

Health-care crisis poised to escalate on Vancouver Island, leaked documents show

Three doctors expected to be working in September in Port Hardy, a community that needs seven

Six emergency shifts at Port Hardy Hospital remain uncovered in September, according to minutes of a recent Island Health meeting. (Island Health photo)
A health-care worker walks past a thank you sign in the intensive care unit at the Humber River Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto on January 25, 2022. A new survey suggests there is a significant decrease in the well-being of physicians across Canada as many doctors say their mental health is worse now than before the COVID-19 pandemic. The Canadian Medical Association’s new National Physician Health Survey indicates 53 per cent of respondents report symptoms of burnout including emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Many Canadian doctors struggle with burnout, depression and anxiety: survey

53 per cent of respondents reported symptoms of burnout, including emotional exhaustion

A health-care worker walks past a thank you sign in the intensive care unit at the Humber River Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto on January 25, 2022. A new survey suggests there is a significant decrease in the well-being of physicians across Canada as many doctors say their mental health is worse now than before the COVID-19 pandemic. The Canadian Medical Association’s new National Physician Health Survey indicates 53 per cent of respondents report symptoms of burnout including emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Edible marijuana products are displayed for sale at a medical marijuana dispensary in Vancouver, B.C., on Friday May 1, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Researchers urge more limits on edibles after finding jump in kid cannabis poisonings

Hospitalizations jumped in Ontario, Alberta and B.C. after those provinces approved edibles in 2020

Edible marijuana products are displayed for sale at a medical marijuana dispensary in Vancouver, B.C., on Friday May 1, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A patient is inoculated with the monkeypox vaccine during a vaccination clinic at the OASIS Wellness Center, Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

WHO: Monkeypox cases drop 21%, reversing month-long increase

More than 45,000 monkeypox cases reported in 98 countries since late April

A patient is inoculated with the monkeypox vaccine during a vaccination clinic at the OASIS Wellness Center, Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
(Black Press Media Creative)

Peloton To Sell Fitness Equipment and Apparel on Amazon

Customers will now be able to purchase Peloton’s Bike, AI-enabled Guide, shoes,…

(Black Press Media Creative)
Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos makes a funding announcement during a press conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Duclos has appointed Leigh Chapman to the newly reinstated role of chief federal nursing officer to offer input on the many issues facing Canada’s health systems.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Health minister appoints chief nursing officer to offer input on care concerns

National shortage of qualified nurses has continued to stretch health systems thin

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos makes a funding announcement during a press conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Duclos has appointed Leigh Chapman to the newly reinstated role of chief federal nursing officer to offer input on the many issues facing Canada’s health systems.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
The back of a BC Emergency Health Services ground ambulance. (Black Press file photo)

Emergency rooms close in B.C., paramedics union says ambulances unstaffed

Temporary ER closure in Merritt latest in a series due to staffing issues

The back of a BC Emergency Health Services ground ambulance. (Black Press file photo)
Philosophy MD spa. Lia Crowe photography

Oasis in the storm

Calming medical spa opens amid pandemic to great success

  • Aug 22, 2022
Philosophy MD spa. Lia Crowe photography
Dr. Alika Lafontaine, shown in this undated handout photo is the first Indigenous president of the Canadian Medical Association. Lafontaine, who is also the youngest CMA president and of Cree, Anishinaabe, Métis and Pacific Islander ancestry, says he will now be a spokesperson for the group that has been advocating for Canadian health-care professionals and patients by engaging with governments, communities and other stakeholders for about 155 years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Canadian Medical Association.

VIDEO: Canadian Medical Association’s first Indigenous leader takes helm

Dr. Alika Lafontaine also becomes the Canadian Medical Association youngest president

Dr. Alika Lafontaine, shown in this undated handout photo is the first Indigenous president of the Canadian Medical Association. Lafontaine, who is also the youngest CMA president and of Cree, Anishinaabe, Métis and Pacific Islander ancestry, says he will now be a spokesperson for the group that has been advocating for Canadian health-care professionals and patients by engaging with governments, communities and other stakeholders for about 155 years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Canadian Medical Association.
Dr. Emily Roback recently opened Canada’s first sensory-friendly chiropractic office in Parksville. (Kevin Forsyth photo)

B.C. welcomes Canada’s first sensory-friendly chiropractic office

Parksville Dr. Emily Roback says a patient’s environment can help them heal

Dr. Emily Roback recently opened Canada’s first sensory-friendly chiropractic office in Parksville. (Kevin Forsyth photo)
Empty shelves of children’s pain relief medicine are seen at a Toronto pharmacy Wednesday, August 17, 2022. Pharmacists say Ontario drugstores are facing shortages of common children’s pain relievers amid sporadic supply disruptions across the country. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Joe O’Connal

Some kids’ painkillers in short supply, but pharmacists say prescription not needed

Ontario seeing shortage of over-the-counter children’s pain relievers containing acetaminophen

Empty shelves of children’s pain relief medicine are seen at a Toronto pharmacy Wednesday, August 17, 2022. Pharmacists say Ontario drugstores are facing shortages of common children’s pain relievers amid sporadic supply disruptions across the country. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Joe O’Connal
FILE - This file photo taken March 16, 2014 shows a general view of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland. A law has come into force in Scotland to ensure period products are available free of charge to anyone who needs them. The Scottish government said it became the first in the world to legally protect the right to access free period products when its Period Products Act came into force Monday. (AP Photo/Jill Lawless, File)

New Scottish law makes period products free for all

Scotland says it’s first in the world to legally protect the right to access free period products

FILE - This file photo taken March 16, 2014 shows a general view of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland. A law has come into force in Scotland to ensure period products are available free of charge to anyone who needs them. The Scottish government said it became the first in the world to legally protect the right to access free period products when its Period Products Act came into force Monday. (AP Photo/Jill Lawless, File)
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is seen in a dental hygienist training facility at a college in Sudbury, Ontario on Wednesday, September 18, 2019.Sources close to the government’s proposed dental-care program say the Liberals are planning temporary solution to buy time and keep their promise to the NDP while they work on a more permanent answer. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Liberals planning temporary solution to dental care promise: sources

Feds have until end of the year to provide some kind of coverage for children under the age of 12

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is seen in a dental hygienist training facility at a college in Sudbury, Ontario on Wednesday, September 18, 2019.Sources close to the government’s proposed dental-care program say the Liberals are planning temporary solution to buy time and keep their promise to the NDP while they work on a more permanent answer. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Beatrice Janyk, 95, donates blood at Canada Blood Services in Vancouver, B.C., on Wednesday April 18, 2018. Canadian Blood Services is calling on donors to book and keep appointments as it continues to face challenges in collecting blood products.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canadian Blood Services urging people to donate as it faces collection challenges

Supplies dwindle as low as 4 days worth as collections have been steadily decreasing since July 1

Beatrice Janyk, 95, donates blood at Canada Blood Services in Vancouver, B.C., on Wednesday April 18, 2018. Canadian Blood Services is calling on donors to book and keep appointments as it continues to face challenges in collecting blood products.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Photo courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control

Sex pods? Long sleeves? Americans try to cut monkeypox risk while waiting for shots

People adapt their behaviour as vaccine availability fails to meet demand

Photo courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control
A woman walks by a sign during the AIDS 2022 conference in Montreal, Sunday, July 31, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Federal government announces $18M for HIV testing at Montreal AIDS conference

Number of Canadians living with HIV has risen by 25 per cent since 2008, says advocacy organization

A woman walks by a sign during the AIDS 2022 conference in Montreal, Sunday, July 31, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes