health
Holidays got you burnt out? Carve out moments of solitude, say experts
Between office parties, family gatherings and plans with friends, there can be lots of socializing crammed into the final weeks of the calendar. But experts say finding pockets of solitude can offer a reprieve. Source link
Death of dog after avian influenza exposure in Alberta marks second such case in Canada
A dog in Alberta died in November after being exposed to highly pathogenic avian influenza. It’s the second confirmed fatal case of avian flu in a domestic dog in Canada, with the first being reported in Ontario in 2023. Source link
Ontario nursing home air conditioning mandate saved lives, study finds
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine has evaluated the efficacy of Ontario’s policy implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic that required all long-term care homes to have air conditioning in resident rooms. Source link
Alberta appoints new chief medical health officer, first in role permanently since 2022
Dr. Vivien Suttorp, who has been the lead medical health officer for the province’s South Zone, has been appointed to the role, the first to take on the job on a permanent basis since Dr. Deena Hinshaw was ousted in 2022. Source link
N.L.'s medical officer of health urges vaccinations as flu season begins early
Newfoundland and Labrador’s chief medical officer of health is urging residents to get a flu shot ahead of the holidays. Source link
Delays in gynecological surgeries putting women’s health — and lives — at risk, doctors warn
Long wait times for gynecological surgeries are putting many Canadian women at risk, doctors say. Surgical wait times vary across the country, but a 2020 study found that a gynecologist consultation alone can take up to four and a half months on average. Source link
N.B. health authority asks patients with non-urgent ailments to stay away from ERs over holidays
Horizon Health CEO Melanson says the holidays can bring an influx of visitors to emergency rooms as primary health-care providers work under reduced hours, and respiratory illnesses spread through communities. Source link
Alberta shuts down supervised drug consumption site in Edmonton hospital
Alberta has closed one of three supervised consumption sites in Edmonton, continuing the push to shutter such locations as the province moves away from overdose prevention to focus on recovery and treatment. Source link
Health experts urge parents not to buy kids e-scooters for Christmas
Citing injury risk and little-known laws around private e-scooter usage, emergency department physician Dr. Stephanie VandenBerg says she gives an “unequivocal nay” to gifting e-scooters for Christmas. Source link
Doctors urge vaccinations as flu and RSV cases rise among children in B.C.
Health professionals in B.C. are asking parents to be vigilant this respiratory season as ER and primary care centre visits for children surge across the province. Source link