Policy and Politics

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by Connie Li Arjun Pandey Rishi Bansal

Canadian medical students are embracing advocacy

The face of advocacy is changing as medical students realize they have both the power and responsibility to advocate for change within their institutions and communities.
by Nancy Olivieri

Playing games with other people’s children

Whistleblower Nancy Olivieri sees parallels between how a pharmaceutical company and the University of Toronto allegedly downplayed the risk a drug posed to kids years ago, and how the Ford government is dealing with the risk of COVID-19 to our kids now.
by Jorge A. Cruz-Aguado

No amount of rhetoric will immunize vaccine disbelievers. The virus might

This week, I voted, which is a privilege I did not have in my home country. As controversial as this untimely election has been and as thorny the issues at stake are, I was glad to see the main parties concur on one thing – unless you have a sound medical reason, get vaccinated.
by Anne Borden King

Why Peter Bryce’s legacy still matters today

Alberta physician John O'Connor received an award honouring the legacy of Peter Bryce, a government doctor who sounded the alarm over the high death toll in residential schools. Who has the courage to be the next?
by A coalition of civil society organizations and individuals

Groups call on federal parties to commit to removing barriers for internationally trained health professionals

Federal party leaders must address longstanding barriers to the licensing and employment of internationally educated health professionals. Doing so would not only address inequities – it would greatly improve our health-care system.
by Shelby Olesovsky

Let’s not leave the village at the Olympics

It was thrilling to watch the Canadian women’s soccer team win the gold medal in a dramatic shootout. We, as a nation, celebrated the teamwork on display. So why has our nation been unable to rally together behind the battle against COVID-19 in the same way?
by Maddi Dellplain

B.C. expansion to safe supply a start but ‘still too little too late’

British Columbia is expanding a program that prescribes alternatives to illicit drugs to people with substance use disorders. But critics warn that there are too many barriers built into the program, making it "too little, too late."

by Claire Connors Elizabeth Dayo Natalia Kruger Sara Alavian Jacqueline Vincent Allison Brown

Not on the same team: Police presence in health-care settings is at odds with professional obligations and trauma-informed care

The presence of police in health-care settings can undermine the ability of doctors, nurses, and others to provide high-quality, patient-centred care. It's time we critically interrogated the role of police in these spaces.

by Seema Marwaha

Do we need booster shots?

Healthy Debate Editor-in-Chief Seema Marwaha talks about how booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccines could help protect the immunocompromised – especially during the fourth wave – and, perhaps later on, the general public.
by John Oyston

Please, Health Canada, do not make vapers return to tobacco!

The federal government's planned ban on flavoured vapes is a terrible idea that could push many ex-smokers who vape back to smoking cigarettes, resulting in a large increase in disease, disability, and death.

by Andrew Helmers

Vaccine passports: Moral baggage or all-inclusive destination?

When it comes to vaccine passports, perhaps the ends justify the means – they will increase vaccinations and benefit everyone. But perhaps we must also admit that they are, at best, only a small part of the solution to increasing vaccination.
by Noah Ivers

We need substantial health system improvements to be prepared for future pandemics

When the next crisis hits, will we again rely on the sheer grit of heroic individuals to craft ‘work-arounds’ with patchwork solutions? Or will we invest in the infrastructure that would improve the lives of Canadians?
by Anne Borden King

When hope kills: Social media’s false promises to cancer patients

Our columnist explains how following her cancer diagnosis, Facebook’s advertising algorithms began targeting her for cancer ads from quacks selling fake cures. We must hold these snake-oil salesmen accountable while teaching people how to not be persuaded by fake solutions.
by Seema Marwaha

Vaccine passports explained

A vaccine passport or identification system is a way to provide official proof of immunization when taking part in higher-risk activities. We break down what it looks like, who is doing it and what the ethical considerations might be.

by Bob Parke

In the spirit of reconciliation and cultural safety, our health laws must change

In the spirit of reconciliation and to address racial injustice in health care, we need to be advocates to amend current health laws to create culturally safe environments.
by Andria Bianchi

My vaccine status? It’s private

Asking people about their vaccination status may be well-intentioned, but it can violate their privacy and lead to negative consequences for them. It's time to reconsider asking about it during our regular public interactions.

by Anissa Chirico

Montreal mobile clinic inspires young physician to act locally

A resident reflects on volunteering with Médecins du Monde Canada as a medical student—and what that experience taught her about the crucial role that community organizations play in helping the most vulnerable.
by James Downar Maxwell Smith

Delaying second doses helped avert ICU catastrophe

It’s clear that when Ontario's ICUs were on the brink of being overwhelmed at the beginning of May, delaying second doses of the vaccines to have more people get one dose almost certainly helped avert catastrophe.
by Tolu Ojo

Skies are far from clear as pandemic restrictions ease

Even with travel restrictions lifting, COVID-19 isn’t going away. If you decide to travel, plan for a bumpy ride.
by Pooja Gandhi Arnav Agarwal

Health Care in Hues: Confusion remains a pandemic threat

Mixed messaging has been rampant throughout the pandemic and continues today. This has threatened public confidence in political and scientific leadership.

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