Health

National health data released Wednesday shows overdose deaths in Canada dropped in 2024 but the toll still remained much higher than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic.A joint statement from the country's chief medical officers of health, chief coroners and chief medical examiners said 7,146 people died of opioid-related overdoses between January and December 2024.That's down from 8,623 deaths in 2023 but much higher than the 3,742 deaths reported in 2019, according to data on the Public Health Agency of Canada's website.The statement said an average of 20 people a day died in 2024 from apparent opioid toxicity.The statement noted that the national numbers "mask important regional differences," with Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Northwest Territories reporting a rise in opioi...

A new study that found a daily dose of information which helps men cope with the physical and mental distress of prostate cancer is also saving Nova Scotia's health system money."This is one of those rare interventions that improves outcomes and reduces costs," wrote Gabriela Ilie, a co-author who is a research psychologist and professor at Dalhousie University's medical faculty, in a recent email about the "patient empowerment program," or PEP.The program created in 2019 by Ilie and radiation oncologist Dr. Rob Rutledge includes pelvic exercises to improve bladder control, aerobic and strength exercise routines, and instruction on how to maintain intimacy despite lost sexual capacity.The six months of videos — delivered by email — also teaches meditation methods and provides "mostly plant...

Nova ScotiaWhile campaigning, Premier Tim Houston said he would look into adding air conditioners to a list of special needs covered by the social assistance program.Premier Tim Houston said during election campaign he would look into covering cost of air conditionersThe Canadian Press · Posted: Jun 25, 2025 12:40 PM EDT | Last Updated: 4 hours agoJulie Leggett poses for a selfie with her air conditioning unit in her New Glasgow, N.S., home. (Julie Leggett/The Canadian Press)A Nova Scotia woman on income assistance who succeeded in forcing the province to pay for her air conditioner says she's sad other low-income people won't get the same relief.Last October, Julie Leggett from New Glasgow, N.S., won an appeal to receive provincial funding for an air conditioner because of a chronic heal...

Seventy-two people have fallen ill after eating salami recalled due to possible salmonella contamination.The Public Health Agency of Canada released an updated notice on an outbreak of salmonella infections linked to Rea brand Genoa Salami Sweet, Rea brand Genoa Salami Hot and Bona brand Mild Genova Salami.The Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled the products in Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba on June 10.At that time, 57 illnesses had been reported, with 44 in Alberta, 13 in Ontario and none in Manitoba.On Tuesday, the public health agency reported additional cases, bringing Alberta's infections to 57, Ontario to 14 and Manitoba to one.Seven people have been hospitalized since the recall was issued.The federal health agency said most people fell ill between mid-April and mid-June after e...

Two nurses are speaking out about violent incidents they experienced while working in the emergency department at Eagle Ridge Hospital (ERH) in Port Moody, B.C. — saying the Fraser Health Authority (FHA) has failed to provide a safe working environment, and has sought to silence employees who speak out. Veteran nurse Arden Foley says she is not returning to work because of lingering post traumatic stress from an attack by a patient. Victoria Treacy, says she was suspended and placed under investigation by Fraser Health after she spoke out about a patient who threatened her colleagues with a machete.The health authority said Treacy, who currently works at the hospital as a casual FHA employee, wasn't suspended or put under investigation. However, the women's stories are two of many included...

The number of measles cases in British Columbia as a whole continues to grow, with the Interior Health Authority announcing the region's first confirmed case of the year.The confirmed case in Kamloops, was announced by the authority on Tuesday.Dr. Sanaz Vaseghi, a medical officer with Interior Health, said it's not clear how the person was exposed to measles, which makes it more difficult to determine who else in the Kamloops area may have it.The risk to the broader public is considered low, but Vaseghi urged anyone who is not adequately immunized to get vaccinated.So far this year, 49 measles cases have been reported in B.C., according to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).Interior Health said it is following up directly with people who are known to have been exposed to the case ...

1 day agoNewsDuration 2:37Researchers had just cracked the lid on a rich data set showing the Sugar Sweetened Beverage Tax was reducing sugar consumption and creating revenue for healthy programs in Newfoundland and Labrador…when the government killed the tax. The study’s authors explain why it was such an effective policy, and why some people hated it anyway.

As the cyclists came to a halt in front of the Terry Fox National Historic Monument in Thunder Bay, Ont., the sound of cheers subsided into a moment of silence.Then came the tears.It's been 27 years since Darrell Fox last stood beneath his older brother's statue.Terry Fox was 18 when he was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma, known as bone cancer, in 1977. His right leg was amputated just above his knee. In April 1980, he dipped his artificial leg into the Atlantic Ocean and began his trek across the country to raise money for cancer research. However, his Marathon of Hope was cut short just outside of Thunder Bay, when his cancer spread to his lungs.Terry Fox died in June 1981 when he was 22 years old. Now, 45 years after he began his journey across the country, his younger brother Darrell...

It sounds like something from a futuristic film: Technology that allows users to control their environment with mere thoughts. But for kids with disabilities in Ontario, it's an emerging reality that's helping them connect with the world around them in unprecedented ways.For 10-year-old Irelynn, who's non-verbal and has limited mobility, it means she can make a toy play music just by thinking about clapping."Probably the best thing I've ever seen," says her dad, Jeff.Jeff, with his daughter Irelynn. Irelynn is working to use a brain computer interface, technology that allows her to control objects by thought. (Amy Dodge/CBC)CBC News has agreed not to use Irelynn or her dad's last name due to privacy and safety concerns.The technology, known as brain computer interface (BCI), relies on a b...

A Nova Scotia mother says her son was denied his right to an education when he was told to stay home from school for two weeks due to behavioural challenges related to his autism spectrum disorder.Sara Mullins is a working mom of three. Her youngest son is Nash Daye, a Grade 3 student at Millwood Elementary School in Middle Sackville, N.S.Nash, 10, is on the autism spectrum, has ADHD, a learning delay and kidney disease, all of which contribute to a series of developmental and behavioural concerns, according to his doctors and specialists. Mullins said he receives one-on-one support at school but has a habit of eloping — a common instinct among autistic kids to wander away from secure locations — when he gets overwhelmed or overstimulated. That behaviour ultimately led to Nash being told t...