Public Health

OurCare Quebec: ‘Patients are frustrated and afraid of what is to come’

Like most Quebecers, I'm worried about our failing health-care system. We as patients are left feeling frustrated and afraid of what is to come.

Come for the black bears and huskies. Stay to ‘transform how we deliver health care’

"Self-determination doesn't happen when all of your clinicians are flying up from the south, working for a week and then flying home.” Medical resident Maria Raveendran writes on her experience working in the remote northern Ontario community of Moose Factory Island.

Toddlers put everything in their mouths: Babies and the risks of microplastics

As the federal government plans its counterattack against opponents of its single-use plastic ban, the battle to reverse the health and environmental hazard posed by microplastics continues globally, and here in Canada.

Canadian women are waiting longer than ever for gynecologic surgery: Patients and providers are calling for action.

Historically, quality-of-life procedures for women have not been prioritized and Canadians continue to pay the price. Patients and providers call for better access to urogynecologists.

Yes, Alykhan. There is a Santa Claus

After reflecting on the state of health care in Canada, family physician Alykhan Abudulla begins to doubt the existence of Santa Claus. He writes to the editor in search of answers.

Lose the calculator: Physician champions weight-inclusive care rather than calorie counting

Katarina Wind is a family physician in British Columbia who has her patients focus on healthy behaviours without setting a goal of weight loss or gain.

Financial side-effects of treatment can be devastating in our ‘free’ health-care system

Health-care providers must also begin to take proactive steps to ensure that patients are not only aware of the medical side effects of their care and treatments, but the financial side effects, too.

Financial toxicity: The relationship between cancer and poverty

Beating cancer doesn't always mean patients will lead healthy and fulfilling lives. They also face the challenge of staying out of the poverty cycle and debt traps throughout the course of their treatment.

Prescribing community for mental health – lessons from Australia

Without the right combination of medication, housing and community, patients can receive treatment only to find themselves lonely, disconnected, homeless, incarcerated or back in hospital again. Housing communities may offer help.

Middle-school minds in teenage bodies: The post-pandemic crisis in our high schools

During the early years of the pandemic, it was often said that the children would be resilient. But perhaps that was more of a comfortable refrain than a reality. High schoolers are not okay. We need to find solutions to help them thrive.

A comprehensive approach is needed to address Canada’s food insecurity crisis

Food insecurity impacts nearly 7 million Canadians. There may not be a single “best” approach to addressing household food insecurity, but it is time for a more comprehensive approach to one of our most complex and urgent societal problems.

Vanessa’s Law expansion puts natural health products in their place

Vanessa’s Law,” mandates hospitals to report serious adverse events that may have originated from medications and medical devices. This year it was expanded to include Natural Health Products, a move that should have been made long ago.

Turning back the tide: The challenge of antimicrobial resistance and its impact on our health

As antimicrobial stewardship clinicians, we implement system-level interventions and engage with prescribers to promote behaviour change in antimicrobial use. It's not too late to turn back the tide on antimicrobial resistance, but we must start now.

‘I unapologetically choose love’: A queer Ethiopian-Jewish woman’s view of the Israeli-Gaza conflict

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is undoubtedly complex, but the path forward is not as convoluted as it may seem. The solution is simple (perhaps too simple for those in power who aim to confuse us): Stop killing children and lead with love for children while upholding their rights under international law.

Canada’s diverse caregiving community in dire need of federal strategy

Canada is a nation of caregivers. But caregivers and care recipients alike are at risk for burnout. We need a concerted policy response that meets caregivers where they are.

‘This place keeps me fed’: Langars coping with surge in users

Much like food banks, across Canada Sikh gurdwaras have been feeding an ever-growing number of people in recent years.

Do doctors know enough about the commercial determinants of health?

Private sector activities have a real impact on people's health. We need to promote healthy cross-industry regulation and scrutinize the role that private interests play in the health-policy arena to help safeguard the health of patients.

It’s not all pretty in pink: To prevent breast cancer, let’s stop missing the forest for the trees

Breast cancer rates, even among young people, are on the rise. For this Breast Cancer Awareness month, there's more we could be doing to prevent the disease before it starts.

We must change our mindset about our health-care system

No system, public or private, can cover all the health needs and wants of every person all the time. It's time for difficult conversations about our health-care system.

Beyond birth control: The benefits of universal contraception don’t end at pregnancy prevention

Contraceptives are a key part of health care for half of Canada's population and their benefits extend beyond family planning alone. It is time to expand universal contraception to the entire country.