New research published in CMAJ found Indigenous peoples in Canada experience higher rates of complications after surgery, lower surgery rates, and longer wait times for life-saving procedures. The study highlights the need for better data collection methods and real-time outcome monitoring to address structural racism in healthcare.
New research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal shows that planned cesarean deliveries on maternal request are safe for low-risk pregnancies. The study analyzed data from over 422,000 pregnancies and found that mothers who requested cesarean delivery were more likely to have certain characteristics. Planned cesarean ...
A new guideline from the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care recommends routine screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea in people under 30. The infections are treatable with antibiotics but can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, pain, and infertility if left untreated.
A Canadian Medical Association Journal analysis found 75% of adults have at least one risk factor for severe COVID-19. The study suggests considering geographic and occupational risks to refine vaccination strategies and promote equity goals.
A new University of Manitoba-led research study found that children are less infectious with SARS-CoV-2 than adults, indicating safer in-person learning and daycare environments. The study analyzed samples from 175 children and 130 adults, revealing lower viral loads in the pediatric group.
Researchers analyzed anonymized smartphone data to predict COVID-19 outbreaks, finding a 10% increase in mobility outside the home correlated with a 25% increase in weekly SARS-CoV-2 growth rates. The study provides insights into estimating restrictions needed to control the pandemic.
Legalization of recreational cannabis may be associated with a small but significant increase in fatal motor vehicle collisions. The number of individuals who reported driving after recent cannabis use increased significantly after legalization.
A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that simple fetal heartbeat monitoring is still the best method for determining whether a baby is in distress during delivery. Intermittent auscultation reduced the risk of emergency cesareans by an average 30% compared to other methods.
A study of 2119 adults with confirmed viral acute respiratory infections found that noninfluenza viruses (NIRV) caused illness rates and death similar to influenza. Patients with NIRV infections were generally younger but had underlying conditions, such as compromised immune systems.
New research published in CMAJ finds COVID-19 infection during pregnancy associated with increased risks of preeclampsia, stillbirth, and preterm birth. Pregnant individuals with severe COVID-19 symptoms are particularly vulnerable to these complications.
A study of 28 countries found men aged 50 and over had a 60% greater risk of death than women due to higher rates of smoking and heart disease. The gap varied across countries, highlighting the influence of social and cultural factors on health.
The introduction of immunization passports may help countries reopen and revitalize their economies while reducing the spread of SARS-CoV-2. To implement these passports effectively, governments must establish secure digital immunization records and ensure adherence to international standards.
Addressing gender inequity requires a multi-pronged approach, including embedding equity principles in policies, communicating gender statistics, and championing structural change. Implementing flexible schedules, non-gendered parental leave, and career support will help realize equity in pay and opportunities for all.
A new study published in CMAJ found that COVID-19 is significantly more severe than seasonal influenza, with patients admitted to hospital for COVID-19 having a 3.5 times greater risk of death and longer hospital stays. Younger adults also accounted for a significant proportion of hospitalizations and ICU admissions.
Researchers found a significant shift towards virtual care during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 71.1% of all visits being virtual, compared to 1.2% before the pandemic. The study also revealed that older and sicker Ontarians maintained higher levels of care, despite overall decreases in primary care visits.
A new Ontario study found that dialysis patients are almost 4 times more likely to die from COVID-19 compared to uninfected counterparts. The researchers recommend prioritizing these patients for vaccination and implementing infection control measures, including paid sick leave and regular testing.
A new study published in CMAJ found that high tibial osteotomy is successful in reducing the need for total knee replacement in younger patients with early-stage knee osteoarthritis. The procedure delays or prevents knee replacement in up to 79% of patients within 10 years.
Pregnant and breastfeeding individuals should be offered COVID-19 vaccines based on ethical principles, considering individual autonomy and risk of severe illness. Although no adverse effects have been observed in vaccinated participants, those at high risk of severe COVID-19 should prioritize vaccination to protect themselves and others.
Healthcare workers must be vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect both themselves and patients. Provinces should include exemptions for those with underlying health issues or other reasons.
Anti-Black racism in healthcare has significant negative effects on the physical and mental health of Black people. The authors recommend dismantling systemic racism through training, data collection, and increased accessibility for Black students.
Sunscreen reduces skin cancer risk by blocking solar radiation; use of sunscreen is crucial beyond just sun protection, also for premature aging prevention.
A large US study confirmed many COVID-19 complications, with pneumonia, respiratory failure, and sepsis being the most common. The study found that approximately 27% of patients developed serious conditions, while relatively low risks were associated with stroke and certain cardiovascular conditions.
A 48-year-old man with chest pain and body lice infestation was diagnosed with trench fever, a bacterial infection that can lead to endocarditis. Physicians should consider Bartonella quintana infection in unwell patients with a history of body lice infestation, given its association with homelessness.
A Canadian study found that people with frequent alcohol-related emergency department visits have a high mortality rate, especially among young adults, urban dwellers, and those from low-income neighborhoods. The risk of death doubles for those with five or more visits.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal published a new ALS guideline establishing a patient-focused approach to manage the disease. The guideline provides recommendations on communication, disease-modifying therapies, multidisciplinary care, and caregiver support.
A study published in CMAJ found that while life expectancy for people with IBD has increased, those with the condition generally die sooner than those without it. This disparity is largely due to pain and its impact on daily functioning and overall health-adjusted life expectancy.
NACI prioritizes populations at high risk of severe illness and death, essential workers, and Indigenous communities for early COVID-19 immunization. The recommendations aim to minimize serious illness and deaths while ensuring equitable access to vaccines.
Integrating HIV self-testing into Canada's health system could lead to better HIV detection and management, especially for underdiagnosed populations. The authors propose four factors for successful introduction, including rapid approval of WHO-approved tests and cost-effectiveness studies.
A study suggests that Ontario's current vaccination strategy for hepatitis B is inadequate, as many children are infected before receiving the vaccine. The authors recommend that all women be screened for HBV during pregnancy and that newborns receive the vaccine at birth.
A Canadian study found that 68% of firearm-related deaths in Ontario were from self-harm, with most occurring among older men living in rural areas. The study highlights the need for targeted prevention efforts and suicide-prevention strategies in these regions.
A Canadian study found BC's long-term care system was better equipped to handle the pandemic, with lower death rates than Ontario. Stronger hospital-LTC links and more efficient funding models contributed to BC's success.
Creating work bubbles with strict separation can reduce company-wide COVID-19 outbreaks and allow essential businesses to function. Scheduling rotating workdays, daily symptom screening, and rapid isolation are key strategies for containing outbreaks.
A Canadian study of over 290,000 children found that those exposed to diabetes in the womb had a 50-200% higher risk of developing heart disease before age 35. The study also discovered that these children were more likely to develop high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
Research found increasing gaps in premature death rates between lower-income and higher-income individuals in Canada. Socioeconomic inequalities have worsened over the past 25 years, with lower-income groups experiencing significantly higher risks of premature death.
Despite social determinants of health disparities, Indigenous communities in Canada have lower infection and death rates from COVID-19. Indigenous ownership of practices to stem the spread of the virus may be a contributing factor.
A new study published in CMAJ found a spike in peanut and tree-nut anaphylaxis cases among Canadian children during Halloween and Easter, with previously unknown allergies identified.
A new study models the estimated time to clear surgeries postponed in Ontario due to COVID-19, predicting an 84-week backlog. The target is 717 surgeries per week, with a focus on prioritizing critical procedures.
A toxicology study found that nonprescribed fentanyl and stimulants were the primary contributors to overdose mortality in BC. Only 8.7% of individuals had taken prescribed opioids, highlighting the need for alternative strategies to address the current overdose crisis.
The new clinical practice guideline published in CMAJ recommends a holistic approach to obesity management, focusing on root causes and patient-centered outcomes. The guideline targets primary health care professionals, policy-makers, and people living with obesity.
Researchers found that moist heat treatment at 70°C for 60 minutes with 50% relative humidity does not damage the mask's structure or affect its function. This low-cost reprocessing strategy can be applied up to 10 times without compromising filtration, breathing resistance, fit, and comfort.
A Canadian study found that for-profit long-term care homes had a higher incidence of COVID-19 outbreaks with more cases and deaths. The research suggests that outdated design standards and chain ownership in for-profit homes are key risk factors for transmission and severe outcomes.
A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that 1 in 10 kindergarten children had undiagnosed vision problems. The study highlights the importance of adequate follow-up care to ensure successful vision screening programs.
Acute aortic syndrome is a life-threatening condition with a high risk of misdiagnosis. The new Canadian guideline provides recommendations for identifying patients at low, moderate, and high risk, as well as diagnostic strategies for each group.
New research finds that pasteurizing breast milk inactivates severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), making it safe for use. The Holder method, a common technique used by over 650 human breast milk banks worldwide, is effective at neutralizing viruses in human milk.
Researchers must consider factors like population immunity, social distancing, and baseline immunity when evaluating vaccine efficacy. Adequate sample sizes are needed to demonstrate vaccine effectiveness, which may be influenced by COVID-19 severity in vaccinated individuals.
A new Canadian guideline found no benefit to routine screening for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and its precursor conditions in patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The guideline recommends physicians continue current practice, not screening patients without alarm symptoms.
The COVID-19 pandemic has significant indirect adverse effects on children's physical and mental health, including delayed care for non-COVID-19 illnesses, missed vaccinations, and increased family violence. Reduced social interaction and lack of structured routines also contribute to anxiety, depression, and decreased physical activity.
A Canadian Medical Association Journal article emphasizes the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) in healthcare settings, particularly during COVID-19 outbreaks. The study highlights the effectiveness of N95 masks in preventing viral respiratory infections and provides strategies for managing limited PPE supply.
The National Emergency Stockpile System (NESS) in Canada struggles with expired supplies and ineffective inventory management, hindering timely procurement of PPE during the pandemic. Integrating NESS with commercial supply as a prime vendor is proposed as a potential solution to address these challenges.
Canada's healthcare system faces high hospital occupancy rates and inefficiencies due to inadequate capital funding, which hinders the adoption of new technologies and infrastructure upgrades.