Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos speaks at a news conference in Montreal, Wednesday, March 22, 2023, during which he announced details for a national strategy for drugs for rare diseases. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Ottawa to spend $1.5 billion to improve access to drugs for rare diseases

Duclos wants to increase coverage for existing drugs, create list of new and emerging treatments

Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos speaks at a news conference in Montreal, Wednesday, March 22, 2023, during which he announced details for a national strategy for drugs for rare diseases. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Doug Whitney, center, eats breakfast with his family in Manson, Wash., on Nov. 5, 2022. Whitney inherited the same gene mutation that gave Alzheimer’s disease to his mother, brother and generations of other relatives by the unusually young age of 50. Doug is a healthy 73, his mind still sharp. Somehow, he escaped his genetic fate. (AP Photo/Shelby Lum)

Science seeking Alzheimer’s clues from few who escape genetic fate

Researchers could uncover and mimic whatever protects those who escaped fate of their families

Doug Whitney, center, eats breakfast with his family in Manson, Wash., on Nov. 5, 2022. Whitney inherited the same gene mutation that gave Alzheimer’s disease to his mother, brother and generations of other relatives by the unusually young age of 50. Doug is a healthy 73, his mind still sharp. Somehow, he escaped his genetic fate. (AP Photo/Shelby Lum)
FILE - Couples, whose weddings were cancelled or curtailed during the COVID-19 pandemic, participate in a symbolic multicultural ceremony at Damrosch Park, Sunday, July 10, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson, File)

Pandemic 3 years later: Has the COVID-19 virus won?

Saturday marks three years since the World Health Organization first called the outbreak a pandemic

FILE - Couples, whose weddings were cancelled or curtailed during the COVID-19 pandemic, participate in a symbolic multicultural ceremony at Damrosch Park, Sunday, July 10, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson, File)
Weighing five pounds, nine ounces, a baby boy was born in a minivan Feb. 28, en route to the hospital in Williams Lake. (Photo submitted)

Cariboo woman delivers baby in minivan en route to hospital

It was a third baby for Brittany Lee of Likely, B.C.

Weighing five pounds, nine ounces, a baby boy was born in a minivan Feb. 28, en route to the hospital in Williams Lake. (Photo submitted)
Eleven-year-old Ian Milos, shown in a family handout photo, was infected with COVID-19 two years ago and was diagnosed with long COVID by a pediatrician last fall. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

Report says long COVID could impact economy and be ‘mass disabling event’ in Canada

It’s becoming clear COVID-19 raises risk of chronic diseases including diabetes and hypertension

Eleven-year-old Ian Milos, shown in a family handout photo, was infected with COVID-19 two years ago and was diagnosed with long COVID by a pediatrician last fall. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO
B.C. Premier David Eby answers a question as Canada’s premiers hold a press conference following a meeting on health care in Ottawa on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. The British Columbia government has agreed in principle to a $27.47 billion deal for health-care funding from the federal government.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

B.C. and Ottawa reach $27 billion health funding agreement

The British Columbia government has agreed in principle to a $27.47 billion…

B.C. Premier David Eby answers a question as Canada’s premiers hold a press conference following a meeting on health care in Ottawa on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. The British Columbia government has agreed in principle to a $27.47 billion deal for health-care funding from the federal government.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Dr. Zahinoor Ismail, seen in an undated handout photo, is a neuropsychiatrist and associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Calgary. Researchers at the University of Calgary are starting a national project to try to get more insight into the brain as people age. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-University of Calgary, Riley Brandt, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

Calgary researchers to look at aging brain as study says vitamin D prevents dementia

10-year study shows those taking vitamin D developed dementia at a 40 per cent lower rate

Dr. Zahinoor Ismail, seen in an undated handout photo, is a neuropsychiatrist and associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Calgary. Researchers at the University of Calgary are starting a national project to try to get more insight into the brain as people age. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-University of Calgary, Riley Brandt, *MANDATORY CREDIT*
The province will invest $440 million over 10 years to improve all aspects of cancer care in B.C. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. announces $440 million towards a ‘cancer-free future’

One in two British Columbians will face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime

The province will invest $440 million over 10 years to improve all aspects of cancer care in B.C. (Black Press Media file photo)
BC Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie presents to senior citizens and local residents during a Town Hall at the Senior Centre in Cranbrook. Trevor Crawley photo.

Seniors advocate says B.C. should eliminate home support fees

‘The world has not fallen apart in Alberta or Ontario, where they do not charge for this’

BC Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie presents to senior citizens and local residents during a Town Hall at the Senior Centre in Cranbrook. Trevor Crawley photo.
Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos speaks with reporters as he makes his way to caucus, on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

5 provinces sign health deal but specific targets, timelines still to come

All five provinces must still come up with specific plans showing how they will spend it

Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos speaks with reporters as he makes his way to caucus, on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside steps away from the podium after speaking during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, January 30, 2023. Nurse practitioners in British Columbia now have expanded authority to assess people in crisis for involuntary admission to a treatment facility under the Mental Health Act. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Nurse practitioners in B.C. can now assess crisis patients for involuntary admissions

Province expects move will reduce pressures on ERs, help people get faster treatment

B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside steps away from the podium after speaking during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, January 30, 2023. Nurse practitioners in British Columbia now have expanded authority to assess people in crisis for involuntary admission to a treatment facility under the Mental Health Act. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
(Black Press Media Creative)

Former Theranos exec seeks to avoid lengthy prison sentence

Former Theranos executive Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani returned to federal court Friday in…

(Black Press Media Creative)
Coachman Apartments tenant Vivian Wright shows black mould covering the ceiling of her shower. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock/terrace Standard)

Mould endangers 60 tenants of rundown B.C. building: BCCDC report

BC Centre for Disease Control finds dilapidated northwest B.C. building unsafe to live in

Coachman Apartments tenant Vivian Wright shows black mould covering the ceiling of her shower. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock/terrace Standard)
A pediatrician involved in creating new treatment guidelines for obese children in Canada says an “alarming” rise in obesity has led to a greater need for surgery as an intervention for teens whose mental and physical suffering typically worsens into adulthood. A close-up of a beam scale in New York, Tuesday, April 3, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Patrick Sison

Ahead of new childhood obesity guidelines, doctors say surgery is an important option

Earlier intervention recommended with medication or surgery after failed efforts at behaviour change

A pediatrician involved in creating new treatment guidelines for obese children in Canada says an “alarming” rise in obesity has led to a greater need for surgery as an intervention for teens whose mental and physical suffering typically worsens into adulthood. A close-up of a beam scale in New York, Tuesday, April 3, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Patrick Sison
Ontario Premier Doug Ford tours a laboratory in Brampton, Ont., on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Premiers urge Trudeau to agree to regular health funding reviews

Ottawa has offered more than $46 billion to augment the Canada Health Transfer

Ontario Premier Doug Ford tours a laboratory in Brampton, Ont., on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
Premier David Eby (right) during a news conference Tuesday morning with the federal health minister Jean-Yves Duclos and federal minister of intergovernmental affairs, infrastructure and communities Dominic LeBlanc. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

$600M health-care cheque incoming to B.C., details need to be stitched to close the deal

Money earmarked for bilateral deals still subject of talks between Victoria and Ottawa

Premier David Eby (right) during a news conference Tuesday morning with the federal health minister Jean-Yves Duclos and federal minister of intergovernmental affairs, infrastructure and communities Dominic LeBlanc. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Jon Coleman (right) and other members of the Cowichan Tribes-owned Khowutzun Development Corporation, here seen blocking work at the site of the new Cowichan District Hospital on Bell McKinnon Road over union issues, has called on the provincial government to abolish an agreement that he says prevents him and other Indigenous contractors from working on the site. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Indigenous contractor won’t represent ‘token Indians’ in B.C. hospital dispute

Builder wants community benefits agreement abolished despite exception allowing him to work on site

Jon Coleman (right) and other members of the Cowichan Tribes-owned Khowutzun Development Corporation, here seen blocking work at the site of the new Cowichan District Hospital on Bell McKinnon Road over union issues, has called on the provincial government to abolish an agreement that he says prevents him and other Indigenous contractors from working on the site. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos is taking his health-care funding road show to Nova Scotia today as Ottawa and the provinces continue looking for a new health accord. Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos speaks with reporters as he makes his way to caucus, on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Premiers agree to accept new federal health-care funding offer

Provinces will also insist the money continue to flow for more than 10 years

Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos is taking his health-care funding road show to Nova Scotia today as Ottawa and the provinces continue looking for a new health accord. Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos speaks with reporters as he makes his way to caucus, on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Having a brain injury diagnosis can make it more difficult for women to win parenting disputes in court, B.C. researchers have found. (Creative Outlet)

Brain injury from abuse puts women at risk in court, B.C. researchers find

Diagnosis can be used against them in parenting disputes

  • Feb 13, 2023
Having a brain injury diagnosis can make it more difficult for women to win parenting disputes in court, B.C. researchers have found. (Creative Outlet)
(Black Press Media Creative)

Celebs tout ice baths, but science on benefits is lukewarm

The coolest thing on social media these days may be celebrities and…

(Black Press Media Creative)