History of sugar tied strongly to obesity By Dr. Paul Martiquet Obesity is a very serious and ongoing health issue but while we concern ourselves with the fact of obesity, we sometimes overlook the history of the problem. A BBC report from the United Kingdom identifies the 1960s as the turning point for what [...]
Instrument sanitizers work 24/7 behind the scenes 140 instrument sanitizers at Vancouver General Hospital are working around the clock to keep surgical instruments at the ready for life-saving operations. The Medical Device Reprocessing Department (MDRD), the third largest in the world, cleans surgical instruments used in the hospital’s operating rooms as well as other community [...]
Health apps, virtual visits and remote monitoring examples of mobile health care Almost two out of three Canadians are using their handheld devices to access mobile health care for themselves and their loved ones, according to a new study. In its report, Making Care Mobile: Shifting perspectives on the virtualization of health care, international consultancy [...]
Anti-smoking activist Barb Tarbox died in 2003 Ten years after she died of lung cancer, Barb Tarbox is still helping Albertans kick the nicotine habit, thanks to a new campaign launched by Alberta Health Services. Albertans are encouraged to share their stories of quitting or never starting tobacco use to mark the 10th anniversary of the [...]
Big Pharma sales reps generally don’t discuss harmful side side effects By Alan Cassels It sometimes takes a long time to discover environmental hazards and, once discovered, even longer to do something about them. The dangers of second-hand tobacco smoke, leaded gasoline and asbestos were all deemed bad for our health many years ago, [...]
Obese airline passengers shouldn’t be discriminated against By Arya Sharma Last week the wires were active with suggestions that people with obesity pay more for airline travel. This discussion was prompted by a Samoan airline announcing that they would begin charging passengers by the pound. It was also stimulated by Bharat Bhatta, an economist [...]
You can practice good mental health fitness by observing some simple rules By Dr. Paul Martiquet We often spend time concerning over this physical ailment or that one; there is a cold or flu going around to watch for (yes, get the flu shot) or we need to lose a few pounds. Physical health, as [...]
Alberta Health Services centralized bureaucracy misses all its performance targets By Robert Gerst Last Tuesday board chairman Stephen Lockwood defended the decision to proceed with bonuses for senior managers at Alberta Health Services. As might be expected, the bonuses have produced considerable protest from the public as well as concerns from the government currently [...]
Some BC Dental Association patients require prosthetic treatment, surgery More than 60 people with dental-facial deformities are finally getting treatment – including surgery in some cases – after the B.C. government announced $700,000 in funding to the BC Dental Association. Heath minister Margaret MacDiarmid made the announcement which will help to clear a backlog of [...]
BC Court of Appeal likely not the last stop for doctor-assisted suicide argument The battle over doctor-assisted suicide is expected to begin in the BC Court of Appeal, as the federal government fights a lower court order to rewrite laws governing the rights of terminally ill people to end their lives. The fight was launched [...]
Green tea may prevent brain plaque associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Jack Zenert New research suggests common green tea may prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. University of Michigan researchers found green tea extract interferes with the formation of amyloid plaques, a cause of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers say green tea prevents the “misfolding” of specific proteins in the brain. [...]
US-based BC medical outsourcing company not held accountable according to John Doyle Auditor General John Doyle says the province is not getting a fair shake in a BC medical outsourcing agreement now heading into it’s tenth year. The B.C. government’s decision to outsource administration of the Medical Services Plan and PharmaCare to a U.S.-based company [...]
BC cancer patients welcome opening of Kordyban Lodge in Prince George Friday By Lev Jackson BC cancer patients living in the northern part of the province will how have a home away from home when the Kordyban Lodge opens its door on Friday. “This is a place where people aren’t just there to stay but [...]
BC Nurses union in talks with the province on potential 10-year labour contract B.C. Premier Christy Clark says the government is in the early stages of talks about a 10-year contract with the BC nurses union to ensure long-term labour peace for patients. “We’ve talked about a 10-year deal with the (B.C. Teachers’ Federation) and [...]
Strength training benefits seniors and keeps them mobile longer Troy Media – by Laura Wershler About a year ago, a tall young woman approached me after yoga and said, “You have the best muscles of anyone in this class; I want to work-out with you.” Fifty-eight at the time, I was flattered and said without [...]
Sharkwater director Rob Stewart launches latest film ‘Revolution’
‘Revolution’ documentary is anticipated follow-up to Rob Stewart’s ‘Sharkwater’ Canadian filmmaker Rob Stewart was in Calgary yesterday promoting a follow-up film to his award-winning documentary Sharkwater. Stewart spoke to The Beacon News about his latest film Revolution. Stewart’s mission is simple, if a little ambitious – save humanity. The Canadian conservationist has expanded the scope of his [...]
The Arts must innovate to survive in today’s world
Giving value to the arts and culture By Shawna Stirrett Traditional arts groups such as orchestras, ballets, operas and theatres that neglect to think about how they fit into the broader social context and respond accordingly will fail. This might not happen today or the next day, but the writing is on the wall. While [...]
Historic Barkerville exhibit to tour British Columbia and China
Barkerville exhibit captures Chinese experience during Cariboo Gold Rush An exhibit depicting the lives of Chinese immigrants during the Cariboo Gold Rush will travel to China next year thanks to a $20,000 grant from the B.C. government. The Barkerville exhibit is put together from archives kept in the historic gold rush town, which capture the [...]