Health Science Inquiry (Journal)
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Where population health meets clean energy
Get PDFQ&A with Jill Baumgartner, health researcher and associate professor at McGill University
Assessing the efficacy of Canada\u27s food guide and the barriers of use
No full textThe landscape of nutrition advice is vast and full of misinformation. A primary source of nutrition advice in Canada comes from the Canadian Food Guide, however, many questions remain regarding the reach and accessibility of the food guide. Specifically, is the population most likely to receive and use this information, the population that needs it the most? Are there barriers to following this guide that Health Canada has failed to address? Is there evidence supporting the efficacy of this food guide in populations at risk for nutrition misinformation or diet-related preventable diseases? This commentary reviews the past research regarding efficacy of previous food guides and highlights potential barriers preventing equal and accessible use of Canada’s Food Guide
The rise of electronic cigarettes: A brief look at their cardiovascular effects and what makes them so popular
Get PDFElectronic cigarettes (ECs) have quickly gained popularity among adolescents and adults, and have begun to replace conventional cigarettes as a source of nicotine. Although little is known about the impact of the exposure of chemical constituents of ECs, two major constituents, propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin have been implicated as formaldehyde-releasing agents. The wide variety of EC flavours appeal to users of all ages with reports showing a positive correlation between EC use and sweet flavorings. In addition, although marketing strategies advertise ECs as tools to facilitate smoking cessation, the evidence supporting this role is weak. In terms of its effect on users with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases, the data is conflicting regarding whether ECs have an impact on cardiovascular function. Although it is obvious that their safety and efficacy needs to be better understood, it is nonetheless essential to review what the research conducted so far has shown
Tackling environmental health: From research to government
Get PDFQ&A with Elaina MacIntyre, an epidemiologist with Public Health Ontario and a University of Toronto adjunct professor
We built this city on pollution and mold: How urbanization inadvertently promotes the development of asthma and allergic disease
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Vaccination policy strategies in Ontario: Transitioning from parental vaccine hesitancy to vaccine acceptance
Get PDFVaccination is considered to be one of the greatest public health achievements, contributing to a substantial decline in infectious disease mortality in Canada. However, a growing threat of vaccine hesitancy has led to an upsurge in the prevalence and incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases across the globe, including Canada. Vaccine hesitancy is on the rise in the province of Ontario. Parental vaccine hesitancy, vaccine misconceptions, rising non-medical vaccine exemption rates, and low childhood vaccination coverage has led to a resurgence in vaccine-preventable diseases, especially measles. Given the importance of achieving high vaccine coverage to avoid vaccine-preventable diseases and their dire consequences, vaccine hesitancy is an important issue that needs to be addressed. There is no perfect solution to address vaccine hesitancy. Understanding the complex mix of factors that determine individual and collective vaccination behaviour is vital to designing effective vaccination policies, programs, and targeted interventions. This article critiques current vaccine policy strategies and outlines a policy approach to address parental vaccine hesitancy and prevent future vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks, specifically in Ontario, and more broadly within Canada. Providing support to healthcare providers and primary care physicians; and empowering parents, schools, students, families, and communities in Ontario, will slowly but surely mitigate vaccine hesitancy and enable healthy vaccination behaviours. Healthcare system-based interventions seem to be the most comprehensive approach that requires coordinated efforts and partnerships between community-based organizations and vaccination providers to ensure inclusive and integrated service delivery
Examining chronic pain through the lens of the socioeconomic gradient
Get PDFLongstanding evidence reveals the existence of a gradient of health running along the socioeconomic spectrum. This is denoted by a graded association between health and levels of socioeconomic status, including factors such as gender, income, education, and occupational roles. This gradient is found across many chronic diseases including heart failure, arthritis, type 2 diabetes, ulcers, and certain cancers, all of which commonly possess debilitating pain diagnoses. Here, I examine chronic pain and its severity through the lens of this socioeconomic gradient across three perspectives along with their potential limitations. First, I discuss how this gradient represents risk factors for greater pain severity, disability, and comorbidity. Then, I explore potential underlying health determinants and how one’s position on this spectrum may predetermine their chance of receiving optimal care for their pain. Finally, I end with the prospect of better clinical and biological understanding of chronic pain severity with the inclusion of this socioeconomic gradient