Latest from Lauren Pelley
Women fare worse than men after surviving a stroke, new report suggests
Nearly a million Canadians are living with the aftereffects of having a stroke, including serious mental health issues, a new paper from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada suggests. It also says women often fare worse than men.
Cannabis use sending more pregnant Canadians to hospital, new study finds
Researchers behind a new study suggesting an increase in hospital visits by pregnant people related to cannabis use say they’re concerned about the potential risks, including premature births and low birth weights.
Second Opinion
Hundreds of thousands of Canadians get concussions each year — many don't recover
Hundreds of thousands of Canadians get concussions every year, and a growing body of research suggests that many take much longer to recover than previously thought — or don’t ever fully recover at all.
WHO declares end to mpox emergency, though scientists warn of potential for 'resurgence'
The World Health Organization has declared an end to the global mpox public health emergency. But while the virus may have faded from public consciousness, experts say there’s still cause for concern if countries scale back surveillance and vaccination efforts at a time when the virus remains in global circulation.
Spike in severe illness caused by strep A bacteria is 'global phenomenon' — including in Canada
As various countries continue to report high levels of invasive group A streptococcal (iGAS) infections — which cause severe illness, and in rare cases death within days — Canadian physicians are also raising alarms over a rise in serious cases this season.
Analysis
Why most Canadians don't need another COVID-19 booster — at least not yet
Most of the latest guidance around COVID-19 vaccination recommends another booster shot this spring only for higher-risk adults. What about everyone else?
The birds are back in town. Spring migration could fuel spread, evolution of avian flu, scientists warn
Across Canada, an estimated seven million birds and counting have been infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza during a devastating global outbreak that shows no signs of winding down. Now, as millions more migrate north, scientists warn it’s yet another opportunity for this virus to spread and evolve.
Second Opinion
Forcing Canadians to switch from life-changing drugs saves governments millions. Do patients pay a price?
Ontario is the eighth Canadian jurisdiction to switch patients with Crohn's disease and other conditions from life-changing biologic drugs to more cost-effective 'biosimilars.' Both options are considered effective, and the swap saves millions. But should patients be forced to make the change?
More surgeries being scheduled, but not enough to clear pandemic backlog, nationwide data suggests
Canadians continued to face longer wait times for joint replacements and an array of cancer surgeries as the COVID-19 pandemic progressed, a new report shows, putting further pressure on hospitals and provincial governments to tackle the backlogs — all while the country grapples with a health-care staffing crisis and an aging population.
World Health Organization updates variant names to track Omicron's rapid evolution
The World Health Organization is updating the naming system for variants of SARS-CoV-2 — the virus that causes COVID-19 — to better reflect Omicron’s global dominance and track its ongoing evolution.