Health

Emily Hollenbeck stands for a portrait at the American Museum of Natural History’s Rose Center in New York on Jan. 12, 2024. Hollenbeck, a deep brain stimulation patient being treated for depression, says, “The stress is pretty extreme at times, but I’m able to see and remember, even on a bodily level, that I’m going to be OK. … If I hadn’t had DBS, I’m pretty sure I would not be alive today.” (AP Photo/Mary Conlon)

‘Pacemaker for the brain’ treating people with deep depression

Science yet to be settled, work progressing on treatment that involves electric pulses to the brain

Emily Hollenbeck stands for a portrait at the American Museum of Natural History’s Rose Center in New York on Jan. 12, 2024. Hollenbeck, a deep brain stimulation patient being treated for depression, says, “The stress is pretty extreme at times, but I’m able to see and remember, even on a bodily level, that I’m going to be OK. … If I hadn’t had DBS, I’m pretty sure I would not be alive today.” (AP Photo/Mary Conlon)
The 2023 B.C. Adolescent Health Survey was released on Feb. 21, 2024. (Pixabay)

B.C. adolescents having less sex and using fewer drugs, health survey finds

Those who are using drugs are more likely to have first tried them at a younger age, however

The 2023 B.C. Adolescent Health Survey was released on Feb. 21, 2024. (Pixabay)
People walk on the Lonsdale Quay pier in North Vancouver, B.C., as the downtown Vancouver skyline is shrouded in smoke on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022. Vancouver Coastal Health’s chief medical health officer says every community within her region is at risk of harm because of the changing climate. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. communities need to prep for heat dome-level events annually: doctors

Vancouver Coastal Health report says ‘colossal harms’ coming if they don’t

People walk on the Lonsdale Quay pier in North Vancouver, B.C., as the downtown Vancouver skyline is shrouded in smoke on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022. Vancouver Coastal Health’s chief medical health officer says every community within her region is at risk of harm because of the changing climate. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Many cities across B.C. recorded the hottest days of their histories during the ‘heat dome’ heatwave that blanketed much of the Pacific Northwest at the end June of 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. medical health officer says climate change putting everyone at risk

Top Vancouver Coastal Health official makes 17 recommendations to address her concerns

Many cities across B.C. recorded the hottest days of their histories during the ‘heat dome’ heatwave that blanketed much of the Pacific Northwest at the end June of 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)
Dr. Zahinoor Ismail, a professor of psychiatry, neurology, epidemiology and pathology at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, smiles in this undated handout photo. A University of Calgary study suggests that severe symptoms of menopause can act as early warning signs for dementia. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Riley Brandt, University of Calgary

Dementia tied to severe menopausal symptoms in Canadian study

Estrogen-based treatment during menopause results in fewer neuropsychiatric symptoms

Dr. Zahinoor Ismail, a professor of psychiatry, neurology, epidemiology and pathology at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, smiles in this undated handout photo. A University of Calgary study suggests that severe symptoms of menopause can act as early warning signs for dementia. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Riley Brandt, University of Calgary
Canada’s premiers hold a press conference following a meeting on health care in Ottawa on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. While Ottawa and the provinces broker their long-term vision for improvements, doctors, nurses and other health advocates say the crisis in health care is only getting worse. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Time part of the cure as Canadian officials work to fix health care crisis

‘We’re not looking for placebo policy’: health minister says as negotiations continue

Canada’s premiers hold a press conference following a meeting on health care in Ottawa on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. While Ottawa and the provinces broker their long-term vision for improvements, doctors, nurses and other health advocates say the crisis in health care is only getting worse. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
The B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives issued a public advisory on Jan. 31, 2024 that it has received reports that Gloria Lemay may be offering midwifery services while prohibited from doing so. (Gloria Lemay/Facebook)

RCMP search house of B.C. woman banned from offering midwifery services

B.C. midwives college says Gloria Lemay may still be unlawfully offering services

  • Feb 1, 2024
The B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives issued a public advisory on Jan. 31, 2024 that it has received reports that Gloria Lemay may be offering midwifery services while prohibited from doing so. (Gloria Lemay/Facebook)
(File photo: Black Press Media)

New asbestos rules target B.C.’s deadliest workplace killer

B.C. first province to require special training for any workers who handle asbestos

  • Jan 30, 2024
(File photo: Black Press Media)
The Public Policy Forum says Canada's handling of health records is woefully out of date and negatively affecting patient care. Examination rooms at a health clinic in Calgary, Friday, July 14, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Canada’s archaic health records system bad for your health: report

Public Policy Forum says all records should be paperless, digitally accessible to patients by 2028

The Public Policy Forum says Canada's handling of health records is woefully out of date and negatively affecting patient care. Examination rooms at a health clinic in Calgary, Friday, July 14, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
The trauma bay is photographed during simulation training at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto on Tuesday, August 13, 2019. The B.C. Centre for Disease Control is reporting another influenza-related death of a child under 10. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin

Another child death tied to the flu in B.C., the 4th this season

B.C. Centre for Disease Control says 168 people in hospital due to COVID-19

The trauma bay is photographed during simulation training at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto on Tuesday, August 13, 2019. The B.C. Centre for Disease Control is reporting another influenza-related death of a child under 10. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin
Padma Ranjan, left, of Richmond, B.C. is one of more than 4,000 people who have given blood since a ban on donors who had spent extensive time in the U.K., Ireland or France in the 1980s and 1990s was lifted on Dec. 4. She is pictured with her husband, Jaya Ranjan, who required blood transfusions due to an illness. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Ramesh Ranjan *MANDATORY CREDIT*

Thousands of Canadians donate blood in wake of mad cow ban lifting

People who spent extensive period in U.K., Ireland or France in the ’80s and ’90s were prohibited

Padma Ranjan, left, of Richmond, B.C. is one of more than 4,000 people who have given blood since a ban on donors who had spent extensive time in the U.K., Ireland or France in the 1980s and 1990s was lifted on Dec. 4. She is pictured with her husband, Jaya Ranjan, who required blood transfusions due to an illness. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Ramesh Ranjan *MANDATORY CREDIT*
Most Canadians don’t think the quality of health care in their province is likely to improve a new survey suggests, despite new federal health accords with several provinces designed to quell the health-care crisis unfolding across Canada. An exam room is seen at a health clinic in Calgary, Friday, July 14, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Canadians pessimistic about health care quality improving: poll

Leger poll comes in the aftermath of new health accords designed to pump more money into system

Most Canadians don’t think the quality of health care in their province is likely to improve a new survey suggests, despite new federal health accords with several provinces designed to quell the health-care crisis unfolding across Canada. An exam room is seen at a health clinic in Calgary, Friday, July 14, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Drug manufacturer Teva Canada Ltd. is recalling one lot of a children’s pain and fever relief medicine because it contains too much acetaminophen and poses a risk of overdose. A sign is displayed in front of Health Canada headquarters in Ottawa on Friday, January 3, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Drug company recalls children’s pain and fever relief medicine due to risk

Health Canada announces Teva recall of Pediatrix Acetaminophen Oral Solution

Drug manufacturer Teva Canada Ltd. is recalling one lot of a children’s pain and fever relief medicine because it contains too much acetaminophen and poses a risk of overdose. A sign is displayed in front of Health Canada headquarters in Ottawa on Friday, January 3, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
A doctor wears a lab coat and stethoscope in an exam room at a health clinic in Calgary, Friday, July 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Potentially deadly rare Strep A infections spike in Canada

2023 invasive Group A streptococcal infections up nearly 50% above previous recorded high

A doctor wears a lab coat and stethoscope in an exam room at a health clinic in Calgary, Friday, July 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
A worker carries a bucketfull of disinfectant at a cholera treatment centre, in Lusaka, Zambia, Friday, Jan 12, 2024. The country is reeling from a major cholera outbreak that has killed more than 400 people and infected more than 10,000, leading authorities to order schools across the country to remain shut after the end-of-year holidays. (AP Photo)

More than 400 dead as Zambia reels under cholera outbreak

Nation of about 20 million people has been recording more than 400 cases a day

A worker carries a bucketfull of disinfectant at a cholera treatment centre, in Lusaka, Zambia, Friday, Jan 12, 2024. The country is reeling from a major cholera outbreak that has killed more than 400 people and infected more than 10,000, leading authorities to order schools across the country to remain shut after the end-of-year holidays. (AP Photo)
Benjamin Munn, 12, watches the needle as medical assistant Megan Smith gives him a shot of HPV vaccine at the Providence Medical Group in Monroe, July 12. There are a number of benefits in giving boys the vaccine at an early age. Dan Bates / The Herald

Free HPV vaccines eligibility extended to B.C. men born in 2005

Free HPV vaccines had already been available to younger men and boys

Benjamin Munn, 12, watches the needle as medical assistant Megan Smith gives him a shot of HPV vaccine at the Providence Medical Group in Monroe, July 12. There are a number of benefits in giving boys the vaccine at an early age. Dan Bates / The Herald
Edith Rose, who marked her 102nd birthday on December 30, 2023, came down to work a shift on the Cranbrook Health Care Auxiliary Information Desk at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital on Monday, Jan. 8. (Barry Coulter photo)

Groundbreaking B.C. chemist Edith Rose still working for your health at 102

Canada’s first female cereal chemist still volunteering at Cranbrook’s East Kootenay Regional Hospital

Edith Rose, who marked her 102nd birthday on December 30, 2023, came down to work a shift on the Cranbrook Health Care Auxiliary Information Desk at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital on Monday, Jan. 8. (Barry Coulter photo)
This kit is a part of the first self-screening cervical cancer plan in Canada, in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. The Canadian Cancer Society and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada hope the rest of the country will follow B.C.'s new approach to cervical cancer screening.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Gynecologists hope Canada follows B.C. in cervical cancer screening

B.C. first province to offer the option of doing the HPV tests at home

This kit is a part of the first self-screening cervical cancer plan in Canada, in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. The Canadian Cancer Society and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada hope the rest of the country will follow B.C.'s new approach to cervical cancer screening.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
A British Columbia study showing that hospitalized patients’ medical issues have become increasingly complex also highlights the need for governments to prepare for an aging population whose care adds to the workload of health professionals, the lead researcher says. Health-care workers at St. Paul’s Hospital acknowledge applause and cheers from people during a parade to show support for the hospital staff, in Vancouver, B.C., April 5, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Medical complications: Study shows B.C. hospital needs growing more complex

Aging population, overworked staff raising the ante for proactivity: UBC review

A British Columbia study showing that hospitalized patients’ medical issues have become increasingly complex also highlights the need for governments to prepare for an aging population whose care adds to the workload of health professionals, the lead researcher says. Health-care workers at St. Paul’s Hospital acknowledge applause and cheers from people during a parade to show support for the hospital staff, in Vancouver, B.C., April 5, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Surrey couple Carla and David Jung are hoping for a Type O kidney donor for David, who currently has less than five per cent kidney function and urgently needs a transplant. (Contributed photo)

Surrey dad in urgent need of donor as kidney nears failing point

David Jung desperately needs Type O donor with less than 5% kidney function

Surrey couple Carla and David Jung are hoping for a Type O kidney donor for David, who currently has less than five per cent kidney function and urgently needs a transplant. (Contributed photo)