Prevention

Canada’s first Clade I mpox case a wake-up call for public health

Canada has an opportunity to prevent sustained Clade I mpox transmission, but only if decisive action is taken now.

‘We might die because you won’t wear a mask’: A plea to health-care workers

Yes, it’s time to mask again. We need to do better. We know how to do better. We can save so many lives and preserve the dignity of patients in the process.

The Innocents Aboard (a bike)

I imagine what it will be like for drivers when bike lanes are gone and seeing cyclists will be a surprise. As a physician, I worry I will be the first to see the aftermath of these decisions.

‘I wish he would have just hit me’: Bill criminalizing ‘insidious’ form of domestic abuse dies with prorogation

Coercive control, a form of intimate partner violence, was nearly criminalized in Canada before parliament was prorogued on Jan. 6. Will new Parliament revive it?

Breaking down barriers: How to improve refugee access to health care

Refugees often face language barriers, cultural differences and a lack of knowledge about our health-care system, which can lead to delays in receiving care and poorer health outcomes.

The reality of family medicine has changed. The health system must keep up

It’s time to break down the siloes in health care and focus on collaboration instead. No one wants to leave patients out in the cold.

Dual HIV/syphilis rapid test aims to lessen stigma, reach underserved communities

As rates of syphilis and HIV continue to climb in Canada, a dual rapid test recently was approved by federal regulators, making it the second of its kind to become available in the country.

The urgent need for emergency dental care reform in Canada

By prioritizing children's dental health, we're not just improving smiles – we're building a healthier future for our nation.

Is the red dye ban a case of virtue signalling?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recent announcement that Red 3 will be banned will go down in history as the very definition of a red herring.

Rising HIV cases in Canada: Putting the numbers in perspective

The rise in HIV infections over the last several years might indicate that the public health system has failed in containing the virus. But the raw numbers don’t tell the full story.

Ontario’s health care needs courageous leadership, not political appeasement

Ontario’s health-care system is crumbling. We can cling to outdated ideals and watch our system collapse under its own weight, or we can rewrite the playbook.

Boutique primary care clinics are making the family doctor shortage worse

Boutique clinics are not the future of health care. They are a step backward and are making primary care access worse.

Should pregnant women take omega-3 supplements? The truth is, it depends

A simple question – should pregnant women take an omega-3 supplement – provokes a very complex answer.

‘We have to be very cautious’: Experts speak out on dangers of avian flu outbreak

We asked a group of experts how concerned we need to be in light of the recent H5N1 infection in B.C., and what – if anything – we should do about it. 

A plea to maskless health-care workers from vulnerable patients

Health-care workers have a responsibility to protect their vulnerable patients. Our lives are in your hands.

No Minister Jones, pharmacists are not physicians

Pharmacists do not have adequate clinical training to diagnose and prescribe. Ontario’s physicians have ideas to boost family physician numbers. Premier Doug Ford only need ask.

Tackling the sepsis ‘beast’: New treatment aims to save lives

Researchers have developed a new treatment to block inflammation, supercharge the white blood cells’ ability to kill bacteria, and protect against heart and lung failure.

Facing up to life’s challenges

"Despite setbacks like injuries and losses, I am eager to embark on a new chapter of my life, transitioning from being a professional athlete to pursuing academia and becoming a doctor."

It’s time to make compassion more relevant in our world

A generative compassion approach looks at the bigger picture and proactively asks the question: What more needs to be done to prevent more harm from occurring?

Vaping: A valuable harm reduction tool or a public health concern? Experts weigh in

What is Canada to do about e-cigarettes? Does vaping pose a legitimate public health threat or is it a far safer alternative for those who would otherwise be vulnerable to the known harms of cigarettes?