With taxidermist's help, Alberta man preserves bones of his amputated arm

When Mark Holmgren had his arm amputated this spring, he couldn't stand the thought of his severed limb ending up in the trash.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2u8zi0X

Toronto parents whose baby needs a $2.8M drug turn to Swiss drugmaker's dose lottery as a last resort

A Toronto couple is down to two options to get a dose of a $2.8-million gene therapy that could potentially save their baby's life: either raise the money themselves and buy it in the U.S. or win a dose in an international lottery run by the Swiss drugmaker.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2tllO1f

LifeLabs facing proposed class action over data breach affecting up to 15M clients

A proposed class action lawsuit has been filed against medical services company LifeLabs over a data breach that allowed hackers to gain access to the personal information of up to 15 million customers.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2Q76Vsn

Why N.B. universities are graduating fewer nurses — despite demand and incentives

Internal documents, obtained by the New Brunswick Nurses Union and shared with CBC News, show universities weren't trying to enrol more nursing students all these years — they were trying to afford the ones they already had.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2Q7fcN2

How VR is letting palliative patients 'complete their bucket list'

A pair of virtual reality headsets at a hospice in Cornwall, Ont., is offering palliative care patients hope and a small escape from reality.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2F43TPl

China convicts researcher who claimed to create world's first gene-edited babies

A Chinese scientist who set off an ethical debate with claims he had made the world's first genetically edited babies was sentenced Monday to three years in prison because of his research, state media said.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2ZzRs7o

Meet the brains behind the push to get more women in neurosurgery

Neurology, neurosurgery and our understanding of the brain in general is in its infancy — all the more reason to have a diverse range of smart minds with different perspectives and experiences participating in the study of it.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2Q8BGNJ

A century after the Spanish flu hit N.S., historians now chronicling the impact

One hundred years ago, Nova Scotia was grappling with the deadliest virus the world had ever seen: the Spanish Flu. Two historians say there are important lessons to draw from what happened in Nova Scotia, which fared better than other parts of Canada.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/355rHwP

Service dog costs should be compensated for people with epilepsy, autism, petition says

A petition that was submitted to the National Assembly is asking the government to provide funding for people with epilepsy, hearing impairments and autism who require service animals.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/37ja3aD

Doctor researching rare genetic disorders 1 of 3 Manitobans inducted into Order of Canada

Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg said she was sitting at her desk, surrounded by students and colleagues at the Children’s Hospital Research Institute, when she got the call telling her the news about two weeks ago.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/367oTR8

Art exhibit expresses diverse stories of disability — together

The art exhibit includes various works, like a multi-media video expressing the diverse and lived experiences of people with disabilities.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2tTP5k0

Calgary parents raise awareness about little-known childhood illness

Marnie and Richard Deschenes' son suddenly developed obsessive compulsive behaviours just before his 8th birthday. Three and a half years later he was diagnosed with a condition triggered by the bacteria that causes strep throat.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2F2jnmW

Are you bald? Pregnant? Poisoned? Here's the dung to help you

If you’re balding, pregnant or have been bitten by a rabid dog, a recently unearthed Irish medical tract has just the poop for you.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2u1jSLY

Are colds lasting longer? How long are you infectious? Answers to common questions

A rundown of what doctors and scientists recommend to prevent and treat the common cold during cold and flu season.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/358UAIN

Pregnant women can lower blood clot risk during flights

Pregnant air travellers face a higher risk of blood clots, but they can reduce their risks by walking airplane aisles, drinking water and doing calf exercises, according to a new review.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2tYpo1R

'New Mom Project' offers free baby gear, friendship

Toronto mom and nurse Gwen Broda started The New Mom Project out of her North York living room in 2014. Almost six years later, she now runs an 800-square foot donation centre and has helped more than 1,000 families.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/36dhAaw

Harm reduction agency urges Quebec to get naloxone into hands of more opioid users

Naloxone kits have been freely available through 1,900 Quebec pharmacies since 2017, in an effort to avoid the kind of full-blown opioid overdose crisis that B.C. is experiencing. But CACTUS Montréal believes the opioid antidote must be made more accessible — distributed anonymously and on a larger scale.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/37egv2t

Governor General urges Canadians to enjoy the outdoors in annual New Year's message

Gov. Gen. Julie Payette today encouraged Canadians to get outside and enjoy the winter in her annual New Year's message.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2tU3eh7

Don't pity my disability; it's not the same as being kind

As someone with an external disability, Shannon Flaman would like people to know there’s a line between kindness and pity.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/362ene4

'Itch like crazy:' Edmonton boy battles ultra-rare disease

Armando Perez was only three months old when he got itchy.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2Q0OENz

The race to exascale is on – while Canada watches from the sidelines

While it is unlikely that people will be huddled around their TVs to watch the power to these incredible machines being switched-on, the scientific discoveries that follow the debut of exascale super computers promise to change our lives in unimaginable ways.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/34TLEqs

Transgender children sense true gender at young age, study finds

Transgender children may start to identify with toys and clothes typical of their gender identity from a very young age, a recent study suggests.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2Sph3hT

'A huge issue of mental health': Researcher receives $80K grant to study history of hazing

For some, hazing is a rite of passage, a way to bond and be inducted into a group through a shared challenging experience. But at some schools or sports teams, the humiliating experiences more than cross that line — verging into abusive behaviour that's led to criminal charges or even deaths.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/39d0KL5

'I don't want to regress': Patients, doctors divided on Alberta's move to change biologic drug coverage

The Alberta government plans to change drug coverage for 26,000 people in an effort to save $380 million over the next four years, but some physicians and researchers worry the switch will bring harm to patients.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2PVMBdB

'A special gift': Toronto doctor helps grant holiday wishes to homeless facing terminal illness

A Toronto doctor and his team are working to make the holiday season brighter for the homeless dealing with terminal illness.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2Stp6Km

Chiropractors making misleading claims about pregnancy and birth targeted by B.C. regulator

B.C. chiropractors who make misleading claims about helping pregnant women give birth more comfortably or avoid postpartum depression have a little more than a month to scrub their websites.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/35VN9pe

'It changed my life': New pilot project tests health benefits of social prescribing

For years, doctors have encouraged patients, especially those struggling with loneliness and isolation, to exercise, eat better and socialize. But actually handing out "social prescriptions" may provide the gentle nudge some need to take action on their health.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/373USBL

'Start low and go slow': New cannabis products could put party hosts at risk of liability

The holidays are here, meaning Canadians will be celebrating with family and gearing up for the new year. It's also, coincidentally, when new cannabis products will be trickling onto the market and experts warn homeowners serving these goodies could face legal liability if they're not careful.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/34XOISA

Why we put climate concerns on hold for the holiday season

The mix of tradition, culture and ‘Christmas marketing creep’ can defeat our low-waste low-carbon intentions.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/35SrM8x

Overdose tracking gives real-time glimpses into ravages of opioid-fuelled drug crisis

If there's a spike in overdoses, tracker sends text alerts to health administrators and community workers to allow system users to see what drugs are being abused for faster and focused responses to the ever-evolving problem.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2ELiFKC

Low-income rates could rise as StatsCan moves to redraw poverty line

The national statistics office is looking at changes to the federally adopted poverty line which, if approved, could increase the number of Canadians regarded as living below the low-income threshold.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2ZfkclQ

Renfrew brain injury patient faces 'lifetime wait' for proper care

For the past decade or so, Ken Rekowski has been sleeping in a bed at the Renfrew Victoria Hospital because he can't find a spot in a care home for brain injury sufferers — and if he did find one, he'd likely have to leave his family behind.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2ZlsEjl

Indigenous 'honouring blankets' donated to Whitehorse long term care homes

Three long term care homes in Whitehorse have been gifted hand-crafted blankets, to honour Indigenous elders after they die.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2ZkQnAf

'We're not alone anymore': Christmas cards lining hallways at Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation School

The cards were sent after the community declared a state of crisis when a young girl took her own life in November.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2QdOPUv

Foreign-trained nurses frustrated by registration process

Some nurses who trained and worked in foreign countries say they have given up their plans to resettle in New Brunswick because of difficulties getting accredited.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/35O98yy

New Brunswick missed screening more than 1,800 possible tissue, ocular donors

New Brunswick has missed the opportunity to screen more than 1,800 potential tissue or ocular donors because no one was available to screen them, according to new figures obtained by CBC News through access to information.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2ZgMbBz

GlobalMedic: More than 2 decades on mission, relief agency keeps evolving

As charity aid agency deploys a secondary mission to Hurricane-ravaged Bahamas, GlobalMedic founder Rahul Singh reflects on how its mission has evolved over the years and where it hopes to go next.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2rjwoW0

Food scientists say don't wash the turkey. Here's why.

Cleaning poultry spreads germs. So despite what you saw Julia Child do, stick with the 4 Cs of preparation: Cleaning, cooking, chilling and (avoiding) cross-contamination.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2MgUQPd

Ottawa business donates 3,000 menstrual cups to Nunavut

Northern Shopper, an online store based in Ottawa that ships goods to Nunavut, has donated 3,000 menstrual cups to the territory’s Department of Health. They will be distributed to health centres and schools in 2020.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2PPV2at

'We can't wait': Life-saving cystic fibrosis drugs hard to access, advocates say

Hundreds of Albertans sent letters to Health Minister Tyler Shandro earlier this month, calling on the province to make cystic fibrosis drugs more accessible, and to support the development of a federal strategy on rare diseases.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2EIb3sD

Notre Dame fire spewed lead dust over Paris, with no rules for safe levels

After the Notre Dame fire in April spewed dozens of tonnes of toxic lead dust in just a few hours, Paris authorities discovered a problem with the city's public safety regulations: There was no threshold for them to gauge how dangerous the potentially deadly pollution was from the dust that settled on the ground.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2sSPjYa

'Generally awful': Worker in N.S. school says better funding would improve cafeteria food

A cafeteria worker from the Annapolis Valley is worried kids aren't getting proper nutrition from cafeteria lunches. She believes the provincial government could help.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2MhPHXa

'The day I found out that I will likely outlive my children'

Sharon Stepaniuk learned on the same day her oldest and youngest have cystic fibrosis. She hopes she can make a difference for them, and for others in Canada living with CF.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/34NJSa4

Care home moves in professional musician's grand piano so 91-year-old can play it again

The piano was a gift to Joan Miller from her father shortly before he passed away. Miller wasn't sure she'd see it again once she moved to a Regina care home.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/34SrQnu

'It was like walking into a nightmare': How holiday meals heighten the stress of eating disorders

Jenni Schaefer doesn’t consider the holidays a stressful time of year anymore, but it wasn’t always that way. As someone who long struggled with an eating disorder, being surrounded by food and family during the holidays was “like walking into a nightmare.”

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2Ze5taE

This N.S. woman who had a heart transplant is meeting the donor's family

Two years after a heart transplant saved her life, Monique Pelletier of Timberlea, N.S., is going to meet the donor's family. Next month, 18 members of the Krieger family will travel from Alberta to Wolfville, N.S., to meet with Pelletier.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/35KWn7J

Dry January: Could you pull it off?

Going cold turkey after the excesses of the holidays is a growing trend. We asked you to weigh in.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2PGyeK0

'Vast majority' of vaping illnesses blamed on vitamin E in U.S.

Evidence mounts that vitamin E acetate, a cutting agent used in marijuana vape cartridges, is playing a role in the U.S. outbreak of vaping illnesses, health officials say.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2EF8nMo

Canada's cannabis policy makes it an international rebel on drug treaties

Canada's legalization of recreational cannabis use was not - and still hasn't been - accepted as legitimate by the UN and the international body that oversees three UN drug treaties that Canada signed.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2EBiRw3

Singing in sign language: Meet the 1st deaf choir in Newfoundland and Labrador

Even if you don't know sign language, you can hear the music of the deaf choir. The members joined for a one-time performance, but realized they had something special.

from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/38VuNGV