Children and 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.

The Art of the Eggless

My journey hasn’t been all that smooth, but I have to say all the chaos turned into something I would have never even dreamed of!

Online learning: A pandemic special?

I am just a small icon on the screen with a hundred other students, no one would notice.

The Masked Scales: A NASA winner

While COVID-19 closed my school doors, it opened up newer windows of education based on curiosity and passion.

A Pandemic Erupted; My Twenties Interrupted

In my early twenties when COVID took hold, I was waiting for all my life plans to unfold. But then the new virus hit and put it on hold

Disability and the pandemic

I felt abandoned by the accessibility centre that claimed to be my advocate.