Infectious Disease

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.

Despite convictions, harmful health products like MMS bleach continue to be sold

Policymakers have begun to address health disinformation and harmful products on social media, signaling hope that it could become easier to stop operations like Genesis II. But we still need to address the desperation that drives people to reach for these products to begin with.

Learner-to-lifeguard pipeline springs leaks, putting pool safety and accessibility at risk

Lifeguards play a vital role in supporting public safety and aquatic recreation. But existing issues with wages, certification and retention have been worse by the COVID-19 pandemic.

If public health is not there to protect the vulnerable, then why bother?

Documents reveal that though the risks could not have been stated more clearly, in 2022 the Ford government ignored the evidence and lifted public health measures. This should worry all Ontarians.

Loneliness and hunger ache: Community group teaches medical students a valuable lesson

Loneliness and hunger were two major ravages of the pandemic. We need to link medical education with social determinants of health in order to bridge gaps in care.

Finding your energy envelope: Long COVID patients urged to ‘pace’ themselves back to health

For many long COVID patients, returning to activity can cause debilitating "crashes." But symptom management techniques like pacing can offer relief and may even help some patients slowly recover.

TBT – Infectious Disease Rapid Fire!

Episode 61 – Vaccination

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.

What will happen to Ontario’s uninsured? Experts weigh in

Adding to the list of lifted pandemic policies, Ontario will no longer cover the cost hospital services and physicians fees for the previously uninsured. Without OHIP for these groups, what can we expect to see? Is this the right move? Experts weigh in.

TBT – Asthma and Urinary Tract Infections

Episode 60 – Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia with Dr. Tony Bai

Episode 59 – The Floor is COVID-19

Blockchain and the future of medicine

Move over Bitcoin, blockchain is no longer just for cryptocurrency. The technology could improve transparency, trust and efficiency in health-care settings. But what exactly is blockchain and how do we make the best use of it in health care?

Misinformation: Yep, still a problem

We are seeing a strange revisionist spin on the issue of misinformation. But misinformation has done and is continuing to do serious harm. It is killing us.

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.

‘A new way to move people’: Fewer back injuries for health-care workers, more comfort for patients

New improvements to lifts and transfer devices could reduce the risks of work-related injury in health care staff and improve quality of care.

Episode 57 – Molnupiravir for COVID-19 and Apixaban for Atrial Fibrillation in Hemodialysis

There is no miracle cure to the health crisis – but here’s where to start  

Dr. Alika Lafontaine, president of the Canadian Medical Association, reflects on the problems and solutions facing a health-care system in crisis.

Food and mental health: Happy gut, happy mind

The food we eat every day is the subject of an ongoing conversation between the bacteria in our gut and our immune cells. This conversation dictates whether we are taking one step closer to health or one step closer to disease.