Children and Youth

Navigating the digital sea of beauty: Empowering Canadians through media literacy for positive body image and public health

Body-image concerns have soared with the constant exposure to digitally altered and idealized portrayals of beauty. Media literacy is a critical tool in dismantling the harmful impact of such imagery and thoughts.

Why not educate the person experiencing pain? Improving opioid prescribing for youth in hospital settings

Youth are rarely educated on safe and effective opioid use when they're discharged from hospital. A new set of educational materials made by Solutions for Kids in Pain is hoping to change that.

Muscle-building supplements are hugely popular with Canadian boys and young men: That’s a problem

The portrayal of muscular male bodies is a new but increasingly common phenomenon driving demand for potentially harmful muscle-building supplements. Young people in particular are at risk.

Safeguarding our children: Vaccination’s crucial role in navigating the coming school year

As we embark on the new school year, the lessons we have learned from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic serve as our compass, guiding us toward effective strategies while helping us discern the ones that fall short.

Helping youth harness the power of social media: Initiative teaches young Canadians how to create evidence-based health content

As online trends continue to perpetuate misinformation, these trends can lead to particularly harmful consequences in marginalized communities. A new program aims to improve online literacy among BIPOC youth.

Health disinformation is harming autistic children: Are Canadian government regulations on the horizon?

With the recent explosion of health disinformation and harmful products for sale on social media have come real consequences for vulnerable children. Regulation and enforcement are crucial.

Breast-milk donor models are flawed: A path forward to meet demand

The three main institutions vying for breast-milk donations have demonstrated an unwillingness to collaborate with one another. As demand for donor milk increases, the downstream effects are going to be felt most by parents and their infants.

Harmful “cures” for autistic children: The many-headed hydra of social media

Autistic children are among the most vulnerable victims of the crisis of health disinformation. There are important issues around free speech on social media to sort out. But many of these debates are irrelevant when dangerous products begin to target kids.

Postpartum depression isn’t the biggest issue for mothers. Postpartum anxiety is

Postpartum anxiety is more than three times more prevalent than postpartum depression yet we hear about it far less often.

‘Slipping through the cracks’: Post-secondary students with mental-health disabilities struggle to find help

Despite the increased availability of mental health resources on university campuses, students with mental-health disabilities have voiced that they aren't aware of what's on offer to them through accessibility services.

Uninsured health cuts and pregnancy: Why all Canadians should care

Many of the funding cuts to the uninsured will impact pregnant people. These health cuts are costly - not just to the burdens of the health-care system, but to our sense of humanity and fundamental Canadian values.

Paying tribute to the good in our health-care system

There is immense work to be done in our fragile health-care system. But in honor of this World Health Worker Week, one patient living with bipolar disorder wants to pay tribute to all the goodness in health-care workers' hearts.

How to keep young children with RSV out of the ICU

Nearly every child will contract RSV in their lifetime. Therefore the challenges lies not in preventing RSV infection, but in preventing infections from becoming severe. Breastfeeding may be one way to overcome this challenge.

Transitioning to inclusivity: Why OB/GYNs need trans care training

Both women and trans men may require obstetrics services. But many working in health care don't know how to appropriately treat trans patients. It is time we listen to the trans community and mandate transgender care education.

#codePink: Canada must protect mental health of our children and youth

The effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic are still being felt, particularly for youth. There are 8 million children who deserve better access to mental health care in this country. It's time we did better.

Canada’s dental program only matters if it gets children into dental offices

The Canadian government recently committed to implementing a national public dental program. This benefit is an important first step. But we need education and outreach to ensure that kids in particular are getting the regular access and dental care they need.

Online sports betting: Governments’ risky gamble is a looming public-health crisis

Billboards, social media, televised sports – no matter where you look, the onslaught of online sports betting ads has become inescapable. But is it worth exposing an especially vulnerable portion of the population to the harms of gambling in order to increase government revenue?

Debunking the myth of immunity debt

Immunity debt is an attractive concept. But there is little evidence for it as an explanation for the resurgence in pediatric respiratory infections.

The learning pod

I wasn't able to see any kids my age for two years. This was easily the worst thing for me.

Social distance

After a year of masking fears, I’m almost free. free to leave the covered faces that bring tears.