Public Health

Avian Influenza: What we know as jump to dairy herds raises concerns

The Avian flu outbreak is a rapidly changing situation. Timely and transparent communication to the public is critical.

The toxic standards that have shaped coverage of drug use in Canada

While a health crisis has unfolded, newsrooms have had to learn to do better. But the changes in framing haven’t always come fast enough or extended to the workers with lived experience

Research on the health harms of fracking questions expansion of this industry

With two more natural gas facilities scheduled to come on line in the next two years in B.C., it's time we consider the harms that fracking poses to public health.

Droplet or airborne? WHO says it’s ‘through the air’ 

The WHO is slowly moving forward on airborne transmission. But language changes seem forced, unnecessary and only seem to benefit those who were unable to use the word "airborne" early in the pandemic.

Is triage a dead end for health care? 

Under pressure, our health-care system is increasingly turning to triage. But has this ubiquitous response started causing more harm than good?

Cycling and safer roads: Improving public health through urban planning

Urban infrastructure has a significant impact on road incident fatalities. Health-care institutions have the ability to help curtail these deaths and improve public health.

Nicotine pouches: Salvation for smokers or temptation for teens?

Instead of being promoted as a smoking cessation tool, nicotine pouches been portrayed by some as an attempt by Big Tobacco to addict a new generation of youth to nicotine, obscuring its life-saving potential.

Leading with the good news in family medicine

Do we want to lead with the good news or the bad news? The tug-of-war about the narrative in family medicine is hurting us.

‘Just a pinch’: Women frustrated as medical community downplays pain of IUD insertion

Thousands of TikTok rants, viral tweets, petitions and peer-reviewed studies have documented the insufficient pain relief offered for IUD insertions. So, what is the response from Canadian medicine to this outcry? Practically nothing.

Students call for improved refugee health education in Ontario medical schools

While Canada accepts thousands of refugees each year, refugee health care falls short. Improved education on refugee health in medical schools can help bridge the gap.

‘Unshrinking’ tackles fat shaming and bigotry

Kate Manne's new book examines fatphobia in North American society and its sweeping impacts on health care, history and politics.

Prescribing compassion: Standing up against transphobic policies in Alberta  

As medical students, we add to the chorus of voices calling for the Alberta government to reconsider its policies. If the goal is really to “support with kindness and inclusion,” Smith must rescind her attack on trans youth.

Setting the record straight: Medical experts debunk the biggest myths in their field

These days, it's hard to know what to believe. We polled a panel of health experts on the most pervasive misinformation in their specialty and asked them to set the record straight.

Waging war on our immune systems: Immunologist explains the horrifying toll of measles

Immunologist Samira Jeimy breaks down the horrifying toll that measles takes on our bodies and communities - and what can be done to stop it.

‘It’s time to do something’: Climate change endangering remote First Nations communities

The Anisininew leaders have urged governments to support the region by injecting financial and emergency resources, and directly empowering them to rebuild and maintain vital winter road infrastructure.

Introducing the Canadian Covid Society – because we need it

It’s time for Canadians to organize and advocate for patients, for ourselves and for our kids. It’s time for better COVID-19 policies from our health authorities and politicians.

A rallying cry for family medicine – and other health-care professionals 

Right now, health-care workers, and especially physicians, need a rallying cry to up their fight, not a call to retreat.

Expansion of community paramedicine one step in meeting the needs of struggling health-care systems

Community paramedicine, in which paramedics play a more active role in treating patients without transferring them to hospital, can help alleviate strain placed on emergency departments and primary care.

‘We strongly urge the Premier to reconsider’: Statement from Child and Adolescent Psychiatry of the Alberta Medical Association

Please leave politicians out of the exam room. Proposed changes to transgender health policies set a dangerous precedent

Government insertion into medical care is a dangerous step for all Canadians. While it may seem limited to a small minority of people, it sets a precedent that health care is subject to the whims of the current political party. Medical decision-making should be left to the patient and the provider.