The article argues that men should take intentional action to combat implicit and explicit biases that have kept women from advancing in the field. Women are often underrepresented in leadership positions due to societal perceptions and biases.
A new study from St. Michael's Hospital found that phone calls were more effective than mailed letters in encouraging patients overdue for cancer screening to receive tests. Phone calls resulted in a 25% increase in screening rates compared to letters, particularly among women and men.
A study led by St. Michael's Hospital researchers found that empagliflozin significantly reduces left ventricular mass index, a key indicator of heart disease. The medication has profound cardiovascular benefits, including improved cardiac structure and reduced mortality rates in people with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
A new study by researchers at ICES and St. Michael's Hospital found that women with one severe maternal mortality (SMM) condition were 20 times more likely to die than those without any SMM conditions, with risks increasing exponentially with the number of SMM conditions.
A systematic review of over two million patients found the newer shingles vaccine Shingrix to be 85% more effective than Zostavax in reducing cases of shingles. However, it also carried a higher risk of injection-site adverse events such as redness or swelling.
A new study from St. Michael's Hospital examines health-care interventions to support patients seeking work and identifies key features of successful interventions. These include multidisciplinary teams, packages of services, one-on-one tailored services, comprehensive views of social needs, and communication with employers.
Apolipoprotein A-IV increases after consuming foods high in unsaturated fats, such as olive oil, and is associated with lower cardiovascular disease rates. It acts as an inhibitory factor for platelets, reducing thrombosis risk by blocking platelet aggregation.
A new analysis of the LEADER trial suggests liraglutide treatment reduces the risk of death from heart attack and nonfatal stroke in people with Type 2 diabetes, regardless of their cholesterol levels. The study found that liraglutide also lowers LDL-C levels, an important marker of developing heart disease.
Researchers found that the Ross procedure reduced death from all causes by 46% compared to mechanical valve replacement, while also decreasing stroke and bleeding complications. However, patients undergoing the Ross procedure were more likely to require reoperation due to graft failure.
A large-scale study found that reducing the frequency of blood transfusions in cardiac surgery patients results in similar or better patient outcomes, while also saving blood and reducing costs. The study involved over 5,200 patients across 19 countries and suggests a new approach to transfusion therapy.
Research suggests that conditions of a first sexual encounter, such as age and consent, can indicate future risk of HIV infection and gender-based violence. Adolescent girls and young women who experience forced or coerced sex encounters are four to five times more likely to face ongoing gender-based violence.
A systematic review suggests that active patient engagement can inform education, tools, planning, and policy, leading to improved quality of care and governance. Higher levels of patient engagement are associated with more substantial outcomes, such as redesigning care systems and adding support services.
A nationally representative study found that cardiovascular mortality rates increased rapidly in rural India and surpassed urban areas between 2000 and 2015. Younger adults, particularly those born after 1970, are at the highest risk of death due to heart problems caused by narrowing of the heart's arteries.
A new study finds that antidepressant use in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with a 20% increase in likelihood of death and a 15% increase in hospitalization due to respiratory-related symptoms. The study suggests strong association, but not cause and effect.
Researchers found a skewed ratio of male-to-female babies born to second-generation mothers of South Asian descent, similar to earlier findings in first-generation mothers. However, this study suggests that second-generation mothers may be less likely to undergo abortion, leading to the persistence of son preference.
A new study by St. Michael's Hospital found that one in three adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) visit the emergency department annually. Effective primary care can reduce these numbers by increasing continuity of care and preventive measures.
A recent study found that people taking single-pill combinations for hypertension had a lower rate of cardiovascular events and death compared to those taking multiple pills. This simple intervention has the potential to save thousands of lives globally by improving adherence to medication regimens.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that one in every five deaths among young adults in the United States is related to opioids. The proportion of deaths attributable to opioids increased by nearly 300% between 2001 and 2016, with men representing about 70% of all opioid-related deaths.
A new study suggests that most commonly consumed vitamin and mineral supplements have no consistent benefit for preventing cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke, or premature death. The review of existing data found that multivitamins, vitamin D, calcium, and vitamin C showed no advantage or added risk.
A five-year analysis of the FAME 2 trial shows that percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) along with prescribed medication is more effective than medication alone in preventing urgent hospital admissions, revascularizations, and likely heart attacks. The study found significant benefits for patients with stable coronary artery disease.
A new study from St. Michael's Hospital found that nearly one-quarter of initial opioid prescriptions in Ontario had doses exceeding the suggested threshold of 50 milligram morphine equivalents. Dental pain accounted for a significant number of these prescriptions, while postsurgical pain patients often started on higher daily doses.
A new study led by St. Michael's Hospital maps the potential risk of yellow fever virus spread to cities around the world, analyzing travel patterns and environmental conditions. The research highlights the need for countries to reexamine their policies to prevent yellow fever virus importation, protect travelers, and prevent exportation.
A study published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine found that opioid-related deaths among young adults in Ontario nearly tripled from 2000 to 2015. The rate of opioid-related deaths in this age group increased dramatically, with over 1 in 9 deaths being opioid-related by 2015.
A comprehensive study found that higher cigarette prices would add to years of life lived and cut billions of dollars in treatment costs for families worldwide. The analysis concludes that lower-income individuals would benefit the most from higher prices, with a 50% increase resulting in 67 million men quitting smoking.
A new study examines frontline perspectives on gender gaps in academic medicine, uncovering systems-based improvements to mitigate its negative impact. Solutions include streamlined recruitment processes, unconscious bias training for leaders, and formalized mentorship.
A new study from St. Michael's Hospital suggests that pasta can be part of a healthy diet due to its low glycemic index, which causes smaller increases in blood sugar levels. Researchers found that consuming pasta as part of a low-glycemic index diet resulted in small weight loss.
A study published in CMAJ Open found that use of the program increased three-fold and total government spending rose by 735 percent, with a significant increase in biologic drug claims. The rise in high-cost medications, including biologics, is seen as a major factor contributing to the growth of the program.
Researchers found 2,687 sensitive documents in Toronto hospitals' recycling bins, highlighting the need for secure shredding of paper records. Hospitals should prioritize electronic health records and shred paper documents to protect patients' personal information.
A new study found that people with HIV in Ontario are dying at higher rates than the general population, highlighting the impact of social determinants on health outcomes. The study suggests that factors such as unemployment, low income, homelessness, and incarceration contribute to increased mortality rates among people with HIV.
A recent study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that high levels of ICAM-1 are associated with better response to current treatments for diabetic macular edema. The discovery could lead to more personalized and tailored medicine, alleviating treatment burdens on patients and the healthcare system.
The Pascal system uses a spacer to fill the gap between leaflets and clamp them onto the spacer, tailored for patients with complex anatomy. The procedure has shown improved quality of life and reduced hospitalizations for patients with tricuspid regurgitation, affecting about 5% of people over age 75.
In-flight medical emergencies are increasing due to longer flights and more passengers with pre-existing conditions. The Canadian Medical Association has developed guidelines to help healthcare professionals respond, outlining available medical equipment, environmental challenges, and airlines' policies.
A new study found that a newly discovered gene called STEEL senses inadequate blood flow to tissues and triggers the growth of new blood vessels. This discovery could lead to advances in understanding and treating cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and strokes.
A new study suggests that older adults who are frail are twice as likely to experience delirium following elective surgery than those of an older age. The review found that a history of delirium, frailty, and cognitive impairment are the risk factors most strongly associated with developing postoperative delirium.
A new report by Dr. Nav Persaud at St. Michael's Hospital suggests that the widely prescribed nausea medication Diclectin may not be effective in reducing symptoms for pregnant women. The report reanalyzes previously unpublished clinical trial data, which found a small symptom reduction of 0.7 points on a 13-point scale.
A systematic review of 44 studies found that frailty, depressive symptoms, and smoking are associated with postoperative complications in older patients. Interventions targeting these risk factors before surgery can improve outcomes for this population.
A recent study reviewed 18 studies involving 7,587 patients, examining head injuries in MMA fighting published between 1990 and 2016. The review found no consistent definition or protocol for reporting and medical clearance return to play, making it impossible to determine the frequency and severity of these injuries.
A new study suggests that replacing one to two animal proteins with plant proteins daily can reduce three main cholesterol markers for heart disease prevention by about 5%. Combining this with other cholesterol-lowering foods like viscous fibers and sterols may yield even greater health benefits.
A research team from St. Michael's Hospital is conducting a nationwide survey to identify the sources of HIV discrimination in Canada, with the goal of reducing and eliminating it. The study aims to promote changes in policy, healthcare, and individual awareness to improve the lives of people living with HIV.
The new guidelines, published in CMAJ, endorse pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) as highly effective strategies to prevent HIV infection. These biomedical interventions should be used alongside behavioral interventions like condoms and risk reduction counseling.
Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital found that more than 80% of sudden cardiac arrests in competitive sports couldn't be predicted by screening programs. Only three out of 16 cases were caused by identifiable conditions, and these were not common enough to warrant widespread screening.
A global study of over 5,000 patients found that restrictive blood transfusion practices are safe and effective, reducing deaths, heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failures. The study also reduced the number of transfusions by 28% and the amount of blood transfused by 30%.
A new study published during Falls Prevention Month found that exercise alone or in combination with assessments and interventions is the most effective strategy for preventing injurious falls among older people. Exercise can decrease the risk of injurious falls by up to 38% in people over age 65.
A systematic review of 242,731 traumatic brain injuries in baseball and softball found poor helmet use and return-to-play guidelines. The study recommends mandatory helmet use, education, and economic incentives to reduce preventable injuries.
A new study ranks the safety and effectiveness of four cognitive enhancers for Alzheimer's dementia, finding that donepezil is most likely to improve cognition. However, patients taking donepezil are more likely to experience side effects such as nausea and vomiting.
A Canadian alliance led by Dr. Andrea Tricco aims to strengthen the health-care system by providing patients with access to relevant scientific evidence. The alliance will answer at least 100 questions over a five-year period using knowledge synthesis and collaboration with researchers, clinicians, and policy-makers.
A new study published in The Lancet found that India has avoided about 1 million deaths of children under age five since 2005, primarily due to reductions in pneumonia, diarrhea, tetanus, and measles. If national progress had matched states' rates, nearly three times that number could have been saved.
A new study found that most people newly recommended to take cholesterol-lowering medication under new American guidelines are from disadvantaged populations. These groups are less likely to have health insurance and receive recommended medications, highlighting access gaps in the healthcare system.
A new study has found that older adults who are frail before experiencing trauma are at a higher risk of in-hospital death and transfer to long-term care facilities. The researchers used the Clinical Frailty Scale to assess frailty in patients, which showed that nearly 70% of those with pre-admission frailty had negative outcomes compa...
Researchers use MRI elastogram to measure kidney scarring and predict future kidney function within one year. The test detects high variability in scarring throughout the entire organ and is comparable to traditional needle biopsies.