NDP asks Liberals to start covering some medicines as parties negotiate pharmacare

A man in a beige sweater speaks to reporters.

New Democrats have asked the Liberals to begin covering a handful of essential medicines as negotiations continue behind the scenes on developing a pharmacare system.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/47vyMTt

Eby underscores 'fundamental' disagreement with B.C. chief coroner on safe supply

A man in a suit.

B.C. Premier David Eby has rebuffed the province's retiring chief coroner's swansong pleas for non-prescription safe supply of drugs, calling it a "fundamental issue'' of disagreement on how to curb the toxic drug crisis.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/eUKhOgj

Manitoba, Saskatchewan raise concerns about upcoming expansion in assisted-dying eligibility

Close-up photo of one person holding the hand of another person, in what appears to be a bed.

The governments of Manitoba and Saskatchewan say they are concerned about the potential risks of allowing Canadians to seek medical assistance in dying solely on the basis of a mental illness.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/fFnH5tp

B.C. asks appeal court to reconsider decision allowing drug consumption in public spaces

A closeup photo of a hand shows a pile of blue steel-like pills and purple pills in small zip-lock bags.

B.C.'s attorney general is appealing a court decision that put the brakes on the province's plans to crack down on drug use in public spaces.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/hCrDXxG

Pop the bubble wrap and let kids play outdoors, pediatricians say

Three girls watching another kid doing a cartwheel on grass, overlooking snow-covered mountains.

Climbing a tree, tobogganing or rough-and-tumble play are all outdoor activities that children should be encouraged to do to promote health, Canadian pediatricians say in new guidance.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/ZzsSVgt

Senior hospitalized with multiple infections suffered neglect in care home, children allege

A woman in a gown in a hospital bed smiles at the camera. She has grey hair.

A 74-year-old woman with dementia who was admitted to hospital with multiple serious infections suffered medical neglect at a nursing home in Barrhead, her children allege.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/QtU7W4C

Nishnawbe Aski Nation holds emergency meeting in Ottawa amid surge in sudden deaths on First Nations

A man with glasses rests his elbows on a table.

After a string of recent youth suicides and unexplained deaths in First Nations across northwestern Ontario, federal government officials and Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) leaders gathered Wednesday at an emergency meeting with federal officials in Ottawa.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/ZuP1js9

Should Canada ban future generations from smoking?

Ottawa Public Health is recommending the federal government consider a New Zealand-style generational smoking ban, which sought to prevent anyone born after 2008 from ever buying tobacco products in their lifetime.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/DCMIQ8c

Primary care in 'critical condition,' Alberta doctors group head says, citing survey

Medical tools are pictured in an exam room at a health clinic.

The survey, conducted by ThinkHQ, suggests 91 per cent of the 1,375 doctors who responded are concerned about the continued financial viability of their practices and 52 per cent are very concerned.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/7liQNY6

'A constant worry': Regina woman still waiting for cancer diagnosis nearly 1 year later

Three women stand in the Saskatchewan Legislature at a podium with microphones. Nadine Baker stands in the middle at the podium, she has been waiting 10 months for a breast cancer diagnosis. To her left is health critic Vicki Mowat. To her right is NDP leader Carla Beck.

Nadine Baker has been on a waitlist to get her breast cancer symptoms examined since March 2023. She's still waiting 10 months later.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/hRZnv1W

'A healthcare system that has broken down': Whitehorse doctor says emergency department being overwhelmed

A large green building marked with an 'H' is seen in winter, on the other side of a partially-frozen river.

Dr. Rao Tadepalli says the Yukon’s healthcare system hasn’t kept up with the needs of a growing population, and a lack of resources —  including a shortage of family doctors —  means people are increasingly turning to the emergency department for various medical needs. 



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/BYv5Lzy

Clearer disability policy needed for airlines, says man denied boarding at Calgary airport

A small Porter aircraft is parked in front of Billy Bishop Airport at dusk.

Ken Harrower, who was flying out of Calgary bound for Toronto, said he was approached by the flight's pilot prior to boarding and told he could not board the flight with his power chair because of the batteries it uses. 



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/s8XaVID

Provinces concerned about expanding assisted dying for mental disorders: Holland

A man listens to a question from reporters.

Health Minister Mark Holland says some of his provincial counterparts have concerns about whether Canada is ready to extend medical assistance in dying to people with severe mental illnesses.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/gOALX0D

Homeless people from Moncton find fresh start, addiction recovery at rural farm

Drone shot of large farm and 21 tiny houses with red roofs

The Humanity Project, a Moncton non-profit that serves meals to people in need, has been working for several years to turn a187-acre farm into a “therapeutic community,” with a focus on people who are not being served by existing shelters and services in the city.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/Nb5I3iA

Life can change overnight. 2 families share what people should know about power of attorney

A woman sits beside a man lying on a hospital bed -- both looking at the camera.

A woman who is acting as power of attorney for her previously healthy brother following a massive stroke says there should be more resources available to help Canadians prepare to take over for a loved one when “just in case” becomes a reality.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/qAMT2dc

Routine malaria vaccines start to roll out to protect children in Africa

A nurse vaccinates a baby against malaria while a mother holds the child.

The first routine vaccine to protect children from malaria, one of Africa's deadliest diseases, launches in Cameroon.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/UrY42vB

A Canadian school has eased its nut ban, but it's not a given others will follow

This image shows a close-up of a school lunch table, where one student prepares to open a container of mixed nuts and a classmate eats a slice of pizza.

For years, peanuts and tree nuts have been considered off-limits in school snacks and lunches as a key precaution to protect those with life-threatening allergies. However, as one Canadian school lifts that restriction, is the tide beginning to turn away from specific food bans?



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/w2V6Ie4

Unsure if you're eligible for cancer testing? These virtual clinics in B.C. are here to help

An X-ray image of a breast.

A handful of new virtual cancer screening programs in British Columbia are connecting people who don't have a family doctor with potentially life-saving treatment they may otherwise be missing out on.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/ubmJhf0

Number of dementia patients in Ontario has risen 48% since 2010, new data released by OMA shows

There has been a 48 per cent increase in the number of patients with dementia in Ontario since 2010, according to a new analysis of Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) billing released by the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) on Thursday.

New data shows that the number of people with dementia is rapidly growing in Ontario and doctors are urging the province to invest in home care to meet their needs.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2vW3r0i

Once touted as a COVID-19 'game changer,' Paxlovid is now a question mark for clinicians

Staff members work at an ICU in an Alberta hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Early trials showed Paxlovid could be a 'game changer' to keep people out of hospital. Yet the COVID-19 landscape has changed since then, with most people now protected against serious illness thanks to vaccination or past infections. So who should get the Pfizer antiviral going forward?



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/X0B4Yko

With no dentist in town, Yukon man desperately tries a DIY fix — using pliers

Two photos side by side, one of a smiling man in a baseball hat, and the other of two sets of pliers.

When Dawson City, Yukon, resident Mike Najman's filling fell out and his tooth broke, he was in a lot of pain. And with no resident dentist in town, he decided he had to take matters into his own hands.



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

4 child deaths in B.C. linked to aggressive form of strep

An electron microscope image shows group A streptococcus during phagocytic interaction with a human neutrophil.

B.C. health authorities are warning that group A strep was identified in four children who have died since mid-December, and the province is seeing unusually high levels of the disease this winter.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/d2ca4DO

Licence stripped from Manitoba doctor convicted of sexually assaulting female patients

A man with grey hair and glasses walks outside. Behind him is a building with the words Law Courts on it.

Disgraced family doctor Arcel Bissonnette has had his licence revoked two months after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting five female patients at his practice in Ste. Anne, Man.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/vsgqRhy

Alberta's COVID death toll up by 17 since last week, with 137 more hospitalizations

New COVID-19 severe outcomes in the most recent Alberta Health report vs. the report from the week before. The week of the most recent report is Jan. 7 to Jan. 13, 2024.

Another 17 Albertans have died from COVID, according to the latest weekly data released by the province. That brings the death toll for the current season to 420.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/oUqNpc4

Shocked by how much she used her smartphone, a tech reporter switched to a flip phone instead

Japanese mobile operator DoCoMo introduces a new mobile phone named Freedom of Mobile Multimedia Access.

Kashmir Hill feels she spends too much time on her phone. That's why for a month in December, she traded her state-of-the-art iPhone 15 for an old-school flip phone.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/YI1AMyl

As homelessness in Moncton grows, so do challenges for downtown businesses

Emily Flint stands in front of blackboard coffee shop menu

Businesses in the downtown area of New Brunswick’s largest city say they’re grappling with the impacts of a deepening addiction and homelessness crisis.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/NWhzbcE

More than 1/3 of New Brunswickers have a disability: StatsCan

A portrait of a smiling woman.

At 35.3 per cent, it's the second highest rate in Canada. And the rate is rising faster than anywhere else in the country - 8.6 per cent in the last five years.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/nFgs4iC

Union warns patients at risk as 10 of 12 lab technologist positions at Thompson hospital vacant

Snowbanks surround a brick hospital building on on overcast day.

A health-care union is repeating fears that a longstanding staffing shortage of medical technologists could lead to the collapse of a lab and put patients at the hospital in Thompson, Man., where 83 per cent of the specialized positions remain vacant.



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

Ontario woman who faked pregnancies, harassed doulas faces sentencing hearing today

Kaitlyn Braun, 24, of Brantford pleaded guilty to 21 of the 52 charges she was facing for defrauding and harassing several doulas across Ontario.

A Brantford woman who pleaded guilty last month to faking pregnancies and fraudulently seeking the services of dozens of doulas across Ontario faces a sentencing hearing today, when victims will also share how her actions have affected their lives.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/Sq0ObN5

Montreal mother writes book inspired by son who has Down syndrome

Sonia Rodi says Matteo considers Down syndrome "his superpower" and she hopes her book will inspire acceptance in others.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/1eV90GH

'Critical state' hospital protocol could make nursing home situation worse, says union rep

Legs in a wheelchair

A new protocol that gives people who are waiting for a nursing home bed in a "critical state" hospital priority over other New Brunswickers on the waiting list may only be shifting the problem instead of fixing it and could actually make things worse, says an advocate for staff.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/giRNqY1

Quebec coroner pushes for stronger penalties for dangerous drivers in wake of cyclist's death

A man smiles at the camera while holding a baby in a baby carrier

Coroner Dr. Jean Brochu is recommending Quebec's automobile insurance board consider increasing sanctions for dangerous driving following the 2021 collision.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/nte8rGw

Ontario man's cross-Canada cycling trip helps researchers understand how exercise impacts Parkinson's disease

Man with bike helmet on takes selfie in front of sign that says Welcome To Ontario.

Steve Iseman of Toronto cycled across Canada in 2022 to raise awareness about Parkinson's disease. Researchers at the University of Guelph tested him and found even though the 57-year-old was in great physical shape before the ride, his symptoms improved after cycling 8,000 kilometres.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2vBwGR6

Delays, falls, errors led to deaths, worsening care for patients in Manitoba hospitals, report says

Patients waiting in a hospital hallway.

Health professionals are growing increasingly concerned health-care delays are leading to more patient deaths as wait times in Winnipeg emergency rooms continue to soar.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/aDljJro

How 'exercise snacks' can add more movement in less time in your day

A group of runners climb a set of stairs on a sunny day near Edmonton's Rio Terrace neighbourhood.

It's easy to use busy lives as excuses to skip workouts, but short bursts of intense physical activity can be a way to increase your daily movement to get the health benefits — without necessarily increasing the amount of time you spend working out. 



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/4x5lJK6

Cramps and mood swings that end with a period: Tips for a less-awful menstrual cycle

A woman lays on her side on a bed, with her hand on her abdomen and her head. She looks uncomfortable.

The menstrual cycle can cause many physical, mental and emotional changes — but there are ways to take care of your health during your cycle to help you handle those shifts, say experts. 



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/yNf9WzX

We swabbed GoodLife, Planet Fitness and Anytime Fitness locations to find the germiest piece of equipment

An anonymous person crouches in a gym swabbing dumbbells using a cotton swab. A Yoga ball is beside the person, with mats in the background.

Does a quick wipe really eliminate all those germs? CBC's Marketplace swabbed equipment at several national gym chains to find out which surface harbours the most bacteria.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/BWRYyHP

Quaker recalls granola bars, cereals over possible salmonella exposure

Two boxes of Quaker Harvest Crunch Raisin Almond cereal sit on a table.

Quaker Canada is voluntary recalling 38 varieties of granola bars and Harvest Crunch cereals due to the potential exposure to salmonella.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/943vpmD

Alberta reviewing seniors' lodge program as vacancies threaten future of some buildings

A man wearing a shirt with a cat print on it smiles.

The Alberta government is reviewing the seniors' lodge program and examining why so many rooms that could house low-income seniors are sitting vacant.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/Sq5moWZ

Landmark study finds prescribing opioids dramatically reduced deaths, overdoses for drug users in B.C.

A hand holding a small plastic cup containing some red liquid.

A study conducted by the B.C. Centre for Disease Control has found that prescribing medical-grade opioids dramatically reduced the rates of deaths and overdoses for drug users living in B.C.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/kyYOqJs

Virtual ERs are controversial, but in rural Newfoundland, one has saved a life

A hospital in winter

Like many rural hospitals across Canada, the New-Wes-Valley health centre has been plagued by closures because there were no doctors or nurses to keep it open. The virtual-care solution, however, has saved at least one life.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/iSO1T7v

This man wants to stop drinking but is struggling to get into rehab without a fixed address

A man sitting against a brick wall holding a cup.

Davy Short's alcoholism has made it difficult to maintain housing, while his homelessness has made it difficult to get treatment for alcoholism. Without help soon, he doesn't know if he'll survive.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/Z6bASxY

My daughter's cancer is a tragedy. But her bond with her adopted Nana is healing my heart

A smiling woman sits on the floor with a smiling girl holding a picture book.

Julie Jewett was overwhelmed when her daughter was diagnosed with cancer. That’s when her neighbour came into her life with a simple offer to help.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/V0o4fNr

Influenza A, RSV on the rise in B.C., while COVID-19 continues to decline

A white woman wearing a dark blue coat speaks at a podium marked British Columbia, with a white man off to her right and a cameraperson behind him.

Speaking at her first public briefing of 2024, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said it's common to see a spike in illness from respiratory viruses soon after the holiday season.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/PecEbJM

Nurses union raises alarm about new overtime restrictions at Alberta Health Services

A bed stretcher in a hall. People in scrubs can be seen walking down the hall.

Financial troubles are prompting Alberta Health Services to cut back on overtime pay, reduce reliance on private staffing agencies and leave some jobs vacant, says a leaked memo to health leaders.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/jOzw6L5

Time is ticking for government to decide on expanding medically assisted dying

The hands of an adult hold the hand of an older person, who is hooked up to intravenous and lying in a bed.

John Scully wants to know that a medically assisted death would be an option for him, should he want one. The former war correspondent suffers from severe mental illness, a mix of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/VhZz5cw

Red Deer hospital resorts to makeshift treatment spaces, sees 'high patient volumes,' says AHS

A photo of a sign outside a hospital.

When Jaelene Tweedle visited the hospital's emergency department in late December, she was ushered into an area filled with makeshift treatment spaces divided by temporary tarps.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/VIXYHqS

Bowled over: Why some Canadians are feeling duped by their breakfast cereal

A man holds a box of Vector cereal

As Canadians grapple with rising grocery prices, they’re becoming more aware — and more infuriated — over food marketing tactics they believe are deceptive.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/HlMqwut

Ontario has an accessibility gap. Here's how to start closing it, according to advocates

Two men and a woman, in separate photos, look at the camera for a photo. The photos are edited together in a composite.

The province has had years to achieve its goals and hasn't, say advocates and people in the disability community. Still, they say the year from the deadline shouldn't be wasted, and needs to be spent trying to close the gap on accessibility.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/BTmtzLR

Ontario surgeon back from medical mission says his 'heart and soul' remain with children in Gaza

man in medical uniform with view of gaza in the background

Hamilton-based Dr. Anas Al-Kassem travelled to Gaza late last month as part of a medical convoy to help Palestinians injured in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, and suffering from what the World Health Organization has called "catastrophic" health conditions. 



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/lpqRjad

A gift of life and love: Thunder Bay artist with lupus prepares for transplant of partner's kidney

Two people sit on a couch together and look at each other, smiling.

After a year on dialysis, Anishinaabe artist Lucille Atlookan is receiving a unique gift from her partner: a kidney. As the Thunder Bay, Ont., couple prepares for transplant surgery in Toronto, we take a deeper look at the challenges faced by people with chronic conditions who travel long distances for treatment.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/Lz0EHuk

B.C. health minister says he expects Ottawa to protect Canadians from drug shortages

Pharmaceutical drugs sitting on shelves.

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix says he hopes the federal government will work to protect Canada's drug supply from a bid by Florida to import prescription drugs.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/dY14rDb

St. John's hotel to be turned into transition housing, 140 rooms dedicated to homelessness

A St. John's hotel.

The Comfort Hotel near St. John's International Airport is being converted into a transitional housing facility, with 140 rooms dedicated to supporting homeless people.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/ib2YXn3

U.S. allows Florida to import drugs from Canada, reviving fears of shortages

Rosemary Barton speaks with B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix about his province's response to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allowing states to import prescription drugs from Canada. In recent years, Canada has run short on a range of drugs, including the popular weight-loss and diabetes drug Ozempic.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/1QRaFr3

These women donated organs to complete strangers. Both say they have no regrets

A composite image showing two women - one with reddish brown hair on the left and a wavy-haired smiling woman on the right.

Donors cite both the pressing need for organs and a sense of meaning they derive from helping to save a life as reasons for making donations requiring major surgery and recovery time.



from CBC | Health News https://ift.tt/2LIP0Y9