Report says tobacco companies are courting young women, after already hooking men

With half of all men in some developing countries already hooked on cigarettes, the tobacco industry is now courting lucrative new customers — young women, a report said....More

Manitoba government says deal with nurses will help in difficult times

WINNIPEG - The Manitoba government says it has reached an agreement with the Manitoba Nurses Union. Finance Minister Rosann Wowchuk says the deal will protect front-line health services while managing very difficult budgets over the next few years....More

CDC offers contraception advice for women with weight-loss surgery, medical conditions

ATLANTA - U.S. health officials have for the first time released contraception safety guidelines for more than one million women who have had weight-loss surgery or have certain medical conditions....More

Home-based health care: Is it science fiction, or a necessary future?

TORONTO - Once upon a time, the idea of purchasing an inexpensive off-the-shelf product to test for pregnancy, or the level of glucose in blood, would have seemed far-fetched....More

Feds announce initiatives to stem lucrative contraband tobacco trade

MONTREAL - The Canadian government says it's ratcheting up efforts to combat contraband smokes — and, by extension, organized crime groups — with a new dedicated police unit....More

Sewage, jet fuel among millions of litres spilled in Arctic: CP analysis

OTTAWA - Millions of litres of harmful contaminants — including sewage and jet fuel — have been spilled across great swaths of Canada's pristine Arctic in recent years, an analysis by The Canadian Press has found....More

Mistaken mastectomy victim wanted other breast removed too, doctor alleges

A woman whose breast was removed by a surgeon in the mistaken belief it was cancerous was not upset to discover the error — she even wanted her other breast removed just in case, the surgeon alleges in court documents....More

Canada ready to spend $1 billion on maternal health: sources

OTTAWA - The federal government is telling other G8 countries that Canada is willing to put about $1 billion toward maternal and child health — as long as other countries ante up too, sources tell The Canadian Press....More

Quebec Roman Catholic archbishop defends controversial comments on abortion

QUEBEC - The Roman Catholic Primate of Canada is standing by his comments that abortion is unjustifiable, even in the case of rape, and is urging the federal government to help pregnant women keep their child....More

Pregnant women who attended Toronto class were exposed to chicken pox: officials

TORONTO - Toronto Public Health says 30 women who attended a prenatal nutrition class earlier this week have been exposed to chicken pox....More

Low-income Cdns have more heart attacks but care is same as for wealthy: report

TORONTO - Canadians who live in low-income neighbourhoods are more likely to have a heart attack than their wealthier counterparts, a new report indicates....More

Giving some addicts heroin may be more effective than methadone to break habit

LONDON - Some heroin addicts who got the drug under medical supervision had a better chance of kicking the habit than those who got methadone, a new study says....More

Federal bureaucrats sound alarm over murky water data

OTTAWA - The government has only murky information about Canada's water supply and it's putting Canadians' health and the economy at risk, an unpublished federal report warns....More

Brucellosis outbreak in B.C. prompts new rule for U.S.-bound cattle

KAMLOOPS, B.C. - Beef from British Columbia is still welcome in the United States, but B.C. ranchers now face some new export rules. The U.S. Department of Agriculture now requires B.C....More

Breast cancer survivors say disease decimates finances, sinks many into debt

TORONTO - The toll of breast cancer extends beyond its effect on a person's physical and psychological health, says a new report which outlines the substantial financial burden the disease places on the women and men who develop it....More

Report says tobacco companies are courting young women, after already hooking men

With half of all men in some developing countries already hooked on cigarettes, the tobacco industry is now courting lucrative new customers — young women, a report said....More

N.L. pharmacists getting hooked up to network sharing info on patient meds

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - More than 190 community pharmacies in Newfoundland and Labrador will be connected to a new medication information system this year....More

G8 must move quickly to improve women's and children's health, science groups say

OTTAWA - The top scientific groups from the G8 countries say funding for maternal and child health, including initiatives aimed at unsafe abortions, must increase....More

Foreign women use the pill more, sterilization less than Americans, CDC study says

ATLANTA - The pill is still the No. 1 contraceptive for American women, but it's even more popular in other countries, according to the first U.S. government report comparing nations. More U.S....More

Federal government gets failing grades in efforts to snuff out illegal smokes

OTTAWA - A watchdog group is giving the federal government failing grades in its efforts to snuff out the trade in illegal smokes....More

Current and former B.C. MLAs recover from domino kidney transplant

NELSON, B.C. - A B.C. politician and her husband are both recovering from surgery after participating in a living donor kidney exchange. Kootenay-West New Democrat MLA Katrine Conroy donated a kidney in the six-person domino procedure about 10 days ago....More

CDC study: Foreign women use the pill more, sterilization less than Americans

ATLANTA - The pill is still the No. 1 contraceptive for American women, but it's even more popular in other countries, according the first government report comparing nations....More

C. difficile outbreak that contributed to 9 deaths continues in Hanover, Ont.

HANOVER, Ont. - A doctor says there's no evidence that handwashing levels have had any impact on a C. difficile outbreak at Hanover and District Hospital. Dr....More

Quebec Roman Catholic archbishop defends controversial comments on abortion

QUEBEC - The Roman Catholic Primate of Canada is standing by his comments that abortion is unjustifiable, even in the case of rape, and is urging the federal government to help pregnant women keep their child....More

Sampling of bottled water finds high bacteria, but unlikely harmful: study

TORONTO - A commercial laboratory that tested several brands of bottled water from Ontario and Quebec found many contained high levels of one class of bacteria, but even the researchers say such bugs are unlikely to cause harm....More

Plane makes emergency landing in Montreal after severe turbulence injures six

MONTREAL - A United Airlines flight has been forced to make an emergency landing in Montreal. The London-Los Angeles flight hit severe turbulence today....More

Mobile vet clinic offers free care for pets of homeless, marginally housed

For the last seven years, a group of veterinarians and volunteers have been donating their services to care for an unusual group of clients....More

Lindsey Lohan's new ankle bracelet uses same technology as Breathalyzer

NEW YORK, N.Y. - If an alcohol-monitoring bracelet can keep celebrities like Lindsay Lohan from drinking, some parents might wonder, Can I get one for my teen? The answer is no....More

Blood pressure goal met: Half of afflicted Americans control it with medication

CHICAGO - Half of the 70 million Americans with high blood pressure are keeping it under control by taking medication, meeting a government goal set a decade ago and reducing their risk of life-threatening health problems, a study suggests....More

Actor Dennis Quaid sues drug maker over newborn twins' overdoses on heparin

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Actor Dennis Quaid has sued the pharmaceutical company that makes the blood thinner heparin, following the overdoses that threatened the lives of his newborn twins three years ago....More

Time to drop lifetime ban on gay men giving blood, HIV-AIDS experts argue

TORONTO - It is time to drop a discriminatory policy that bars gay men from donating blood in Canada, several leading HIV-AIDS researchers said in an article published Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal....More

Ten people hurt as plane makes emergency landing in Montreal

MONTREAL - Ten people suffered injuries, including broken bones, during severe turbulence on a London to Los Angeles that was diverted to Montreal....More

Glycemic index cookbook is a guide for those dealing with Type 2 diabetes

With the number of cases of Type 2 diabetes increasing at an alarming rate in Canada and North America, it's crucial to control weight and blood sugar levels to deal with the disease, says Rick Gallop, author of a new cookbook on the subject....More

Alberta health officials issue warning about blobs of oil from spill 5 years ago

EDMONTON - Five years after a spill of bunker oil in a lake west of Edmonton, residents and tourists are still being advised to watch out for balls of tar or oily deposits....More

People going back to Manitoba reserve after wind changes direction

BERENS RIVER, Man. - Health officials on a Manitoba reserve say smoke conditions have improved enough to allow people back into the community....More

Move afoot in Congress to ban drop-side cribs after dozens of deaths

WASHINGTON - The baby crib, usually a safe haven for little ones, became a death trap for six-month-old Bobby Cirigliano....More

Walkerton stretcher girl now healthy teen; but E. coli tragedy weighs on others

WALKERTON, Ont. - Perhaps more than any other image, the newspaper picture of a little girl on a stretcher next to a wide-eyed teddy bear jolted the outside world to the magnitude of the unfolding tragedy that was Walkerton 10 years ago....More

Study finds children's gun deaths as common in the most rural areas as in cities

CHICAGO - A new study finds that children in America's most rural areas are as likely to die by gunshot as kids in the biggest cities. Murders involving guns are more common among city youth....More

A little foot pampering goes a long way now that sandal season has arrived

TORONTO - Come summer, we unleash our feet from boots, free them from enclosed shoes and liberate them from socks. And how do our feet repay us? Cracked heels and blisters, crops of new corns and calluses and rashes of athlete's foot....More

Lindsey Lohan's new court-ordered ankle bracelet uses same technology as breathalyzer

NEW YORK, N.Y. - If an alcohol-monitoring bracelet can keep celebrities like Lindsay Lohan from drinking, some parents might wonder, Can I get one for my teen? The answer is no....More

New York doctors say disfigured Edmonton boy's surgery successful

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Doctors in New York say they have successfully performed the first of at least two life-changing surgeries on a disfigured Edmonton boy....More

Glycemic index cookbook is a guide for those dealing with Type 2 diabetes

With the number of cases of Type 2 diabetes increasing at an alarming rate in Canada and North America, it's crucial to control weight and blood sugar levels to deal with the disease, says Rick Gallop, author of a new cookbook on the subject....More

Disfigured Edmonton boy in New York City for life-changing surgery

NEW YORK, N.Y. - A disfigured little Edmonton boy is in New York City for life-changing surgery. Maddox Flynn, who is 2, was born with cystic hygroma, a rare condition that has caused severe swelling on the left side of his face....More

Alberta health officials issue warning about blobs of oil from spill 5 years ago

EDMONTON - Five years after a spill of bunker oil in a lake west of Edmonton, residents and tourists are still being advised to watch out for balls of tar or oily deposits....More

Walkerton tragedy fallout: strict water rules that put public safety first

TORONTO - The notorious public health disaster that left seven people dead and thousands sick in Walkerton, Ont., exactly a decade ago also forced Ontario into the vanguard of tap-water safety....More

People going back to Manitoba reserve after wind changes direction

BERENS RIVER, Man. - Health officials on a Manitoba reserve say smoke conditions have improved enough to allow people back into the community....More

Move afoot in Congress to ban drop-side cribs after dozens of deaths

WASHINGTON - The baby crib, usually a safe haven for little ones, became a death trap for six-month-old Bobby Cirigliano....More

Study finds children's gun deaths as common in the most rural areas as in cities

CHICAGO - A new study finds that children in America's most rural areas are as likely to die by gunshot as kids in the biggest cities. Murders involving guns are more common among city youth....More

Ovarian cancer screening method shows promise in study; bigger one will see if it saves lives

MILWAUKEE - Researchers may finally be closing in on a way to screen healthy women for ovarian cancer — a disease that rarely shows symptoms until it's too late to cure....More

Ontario's top medical officer says no proof wind turbines cause ill health

TORONTO - Ontario's chief medical officer of health says there's no evidence that the noise from wind turbines leads to adverse health effects. Dr....More

New strategy to wipe out polio may be last shot to eradicate it before money runs out

GENEVA - For years, the world has been on the brink of wiping out polio, the deadly disease that can paralyze and kill children....More

Look before you leap into dirty public pools: U.S. report on water, safety

ATLANTA - You might want to look before you leap into a public swimming pool this summer. A new U.S....More

Hold the espresso: Glass shards prompt Nescafe instant espresso recall

TORONTO - Nestle Canada is recalling Nescafe brand Espresso instant coffee crystals because the product may contain small shards of glass....More

Avoid nasty food-borne illness by handling and grilling meat properly

With the first long weekend of the summer season on the horizon, many Canadians are planning outdoor gatherings, and firing up the barbecue is bound to be on the agenda....More

Alberta government ponies up for more cataract surgeries to clear waiting lists

EDMONTON - Alberta is paying for more cataract surgeries to clear up long waiting lists in Calgary and Edmonton Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky announced Thursday that 1,400 additional cataract surgeries and up to 120 more corneal transplants will be...More

UC Berkeley plan to test freshmen DNA comes under fire, school says hope is to spur dialogue

BERKELEY, Calif. - A plan by the University of California, Berkeley to voluntarily test the DNA of incoming freshman has come under fire from critics who said the school was pushing an unproven technology on impressionable students....More

National plan needed to fill gaps in end-of-life programs: Cancer Society

TORONTO - The Canadian Cancer Society says a patchwork of support services across the country means patients often are unable to die with dignity in the setting of their choice....More

McGuinty plays bad cop to health minister's good cop in pharmacist fight

TORONTO - Health Minister Deb Matthews played good cop to Premier Dalton McGuinty's bad cop today in the province's battle with pharmacists....More

Fitness protest on Ontario legislature lawn fails to move McGuinty on HST

TORONTO - Worked-up fitness enthusiasts exercising in protest of the harmonized sales tax aren't finding a training partner in Premier Dalton McGuinty....More

Expect the unexpected: Cdn kids' blood pressure not up, despite obesity rates

TORONTO - There's a little bit of good news on the childhood obesity front. A new Canadian study has found that rates of high blood pressure among Canadian kids are "remarkably low....More

Cancer Society stats: National plan needed to fill gaps in end-of-life programs

TORONTO - Paul Carroll knows he and his wife Carolyn were luckier than many Canadians when it comes to palliative care....More

Argentine rock star Gustavo Cerati in intensive care after brain surgery

CARACAS, Venezuela - Argentine rock star Gustavo Cerati was in intensive care on Wednesday after undergoing brain surgery due to a potentially fatal blood clot....More

AP IMPACT: Wal-Mart pulls Miley Cyrus jewelry over high levels of toxic cadmium found by AP

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Wal-Mart said Wednesday it is pulling an entire line of Miley Cyrus-brand necklaces and bracelets from its shelves after tests performed for The Associated Press found the jewelry contained high levels of the toxic metal cadmium....More

New strategy to wipe out polio may be last shot to eradicate it before money runs out

GENEVA - For years, the world has been on the brink of wiping out polio, the deadly disease that can paralyze and kill children....More

Decades of UN efforts to fight TB have flopped; new strategies required: experts

GENEVA - Global efforts to control tuberculosis have failed and radical new approaches are needed, experts said Wednesday....More

Dad has the blues: Study estimates 10 per cent of new fathers get depressed

TORONTO - Moms aren't the only ones who can get the blues when a new baby joins the family. About 10 per cent of fathers experience prenatal or postpartum depression, a new analysis of studies suggests....More

Cycling B.C. senior completes gruelling fundraiser for African medical program

KELOWNA, B.C. - A Kelowna, B.C., doctor won't spend his twilight years sailing off into the sunset, but he has no problem cycling there. Thoracic surgeon Dr....More

Companies to remove 1.5 trillion calories from foods to reduce childhood obesity

WASHINGTON - Several of the largest food companies in the United States say they are going on a diet. A coalition of retailers, food and beverage manufacturers and industry trade associations said Monday that they will take 1....More

C-sections, use of epidurals varies widely across provinces: Childbirth report

TORONTO - We all know where babies come from, but a new report provides a glimpse at what goes on in the delivery room as these bundles of joy make their debut. Approximately 374,000 babies were born in Canadian hospitals in 2008-2009, an increase of 4....More

Alberta government counting phantom long-term care beds to boost numbers: NDP

EDMONTON, Alta. - The Alberta NDP says research suggests that the government is reporting more long-term care beds than actually exist. NDP Leader Brian Mason says his party cold-called 90 facilities run by the province and was told there are 4,764 beds....More

'Premature' to learn from troubled clinic in Calgary: Alberta Health Services

CALGARY - The chairman of health-care delivery in Alberta says the province shouldn't necessarily change how it relies on private providers just because one clinic is having money problems....More

Review of N.B. radiology tests shows glaring number of significant discrepancies

GRAND FALLS, N.B. - An external audit of tests done by a radiologist in northwestern New Brunswick found problems with almost a quarter of the more than 26,000 cases reviewed, health officials confirmed Tuesday....More

Program supports First Nations people and their families affected by dementia

When Chief Joel Abram learned of a proposed program to help First Nations people and families living with dementia, he saw the initiative as a way to fill a gap in sorely-needed support in his community....More

Manitoba's fertility treatment tax credit open to all ages, income levels

WINNIPEG - Manitoba's health minister says the province will soon help those who can't conceive pay for fertility treatments. A new tax credit starting Oct....More

Internal tagging system could help track food that's been tampered with: prof

An internal tracking system that would combat food fraud has been developed by a professor at the University of Saskatchewan....More

Dramatic 10-fold surge seen in kids hospitalized with MRSA; docs shift antibiotics to fight it

CHICAGO - The number of children hospitalized with dangerous drug-resistant staph infections surged 10-fold in recent years, a study found. Disease incidence increased from two cases to 21 cases per 1,000 hospital admissions from 1999 to 2008....More

Companies to remove 1.5 trillion calories from foods to reduce childhood obesity

WASHINGTON - Several of the largest food companies in the United States say they will take 1.5 trillion calories out of their products by 2015 in an effort to reduce childhood obesity....More

Breakfast club program extends reach to children in aboriginal communities

TORONTO - First as a child, then as an educator, Freddie Wood has been a front-line witness to the effects of poverty in First Nations communities....More

American Heart Association backs Wii in 'provocative' campaign against obesity

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Nintendo is partnering with the American Heart Association to promote its popular Wii gaming console....More

Statement from Catholic cardinal about abortion and rape causes uproar

MONTREAL - A firestorm of virulent reaction has engulfed the Roman Catholic Primate of Canada, who is being pilloried for describing abortion as a moral crime even when it's performed on rape victims....More

Review of pathology doctor's work finds 12 cases needed care or investigation

OWEN SOUND, Ont. - A review of cases handled by a pathologist in southern Ontario has ended with the finding that a dozen patients should have received further investigation or treatment....More

Pro-choice activists stage 'die in' at Minister Oda's Bowmanville, Ont. office

BOWMANVILLE, Ont. - Pro-choice activists staged a "die in" on Saturday at the office of International Development Minister Bev Oda in Bowmanville, Ont....More

Researchers taking closer look after retired Canadian astronaut had tingly feet

MONTREAL - Dave Williams is a sole man — at least when it comes to his feet. And a team of researchers from the University of Guelph can thank the retired Canadian astronaut for his foot fixation....More

Health-care activists warn more oversight needed of Ontario retirement homes

TORONTO - Ontario's proposed legislation to regulate retirement homes for the first time could lead to expensive, for-profit facilities that encroach on services provided by publicly funded nursing homes, but with less operational oversight, critics warn....More

Guelph researchers plan to study feet of astronauts on NASA missions

MONTREAL - A team of researchers from the University of Guelph in Ontario will study the feet of astronauts who take part in upcoming space missions....More

Cdn military chaplains suffering burnout, compassion fatigue at high rates

Chaplains in the Canadian military are suffering high levels of burnout and many are at risk of developing disorders like depression, according to documents that pin the blame on heavy workloads and compassion fatigue....More

Study: Pesticides in foods may contribute to attention-deficit disorder in kids

CHICAGO - A new analysis of U.S. health data links children's attention-deficit disorder with exposure to common pesticides used on fruits and vegetables....More

Dramatic 10-fold surge seen in kids hospitalized with MRSA; docs shift antibiotics to fight it

CHICAGO - The number of children hospitalized with dangerous drug-resistant staph infections surged 10-fold in recent years, a study found. Disease incidence increased from two cases to 21 cases per 1,000 hospital admissions from 1999 to 2008....More

Miracle Mineral Solution is unsafe in drinking water: Health Canada warning

TORONTO - Health Canada has issued a warning about a product sold on the Internet to treat drinking water. It says Miracle Mineral Solution, sold by MMSsupplier.com, is advertised as a 28 per cent solution of sodium chlorite....More

Flu expert urges pre-vaccination against possible pandemic strains

TORONTO - A leading figure in the world of flu is making a bold proposal on how to circumvent too-slow production and too-little output of influenza vaccine during a pandemic. Dr....More

Breastfeeding advocates want companies to stop giving formula to new moms

TORONTO - New mothers in Ontario are inundated with baby formula by companies, which makes it even more difficult to convince women to continue to breastfeed their babies, advocacy groups said Wednesday....More

RCMP investigate newborn's care by staff at Gander, N.L., hospital

GANDER, N.L. - A hospital in central Newfoundland is being investigated over the care of a newborn at the facility, RCMP said Thursday. Roger Pike, a spokesman for Newfoundland's Central Health District, said the infant wasn't hurt at the hospital in Gander....More

DCA shows promise for brain tumour treatment, but still early days: researcher

TORONTO - A cheap generic drug that caused a big buzz a few years ago when it was found to shrink tumours in laboratory rats may provide a key for treating one of the deadliest cancers in humans, researchers say....More

Cda, US recall 2.5M Step2 push buggies for kids due to detaching handle risk

TORONTO - Canadian and U.S. regulators are recalling an estimated 2.5 million push buggies for children because the handle can become detached and cause a parent or caregiver to lose control of the toy vehicle....More

Calories, carbon footprint: Do we get too much information about food we order?

Walk into a restaurant these days and you might be able to check the calorie count of your enchilada, the salt content of your fries, the "heart healthy" status of your Asiago peppercorn steak and — in at least one pioneering place — the carbon footprint of your...More

Thousands gather for anti-abortion rally on Parliament Hill

OTTAWA - Thousands of activists rallied on Parliament Hill on Thursday calling for an end to abortion, with Tory MPs urging them to reopen the bitter debate on the issue....More

The Mary Poppins solution: Glucose, sucrose reduce pain when babies get needles

TORONTO - Mary Poppins was singing the right tune about how to make the medicine go down, according to a new analysis....More

Report calls for tougher laws on listing, testing of perfume ingredients

TORONTO - Many people won't leave home without dabbing on a little cologne, spritzing themselves with a body spray or slapping on aftershave, but consumer-safety groups say there are more to these fragrances than meets the eye....More

Ontario turns blind eye to rules that amount to gag order for doctors: critics

TORONTO - Ontario hospitals may soon be required to release information to the public about how they're run, but the governing Liberals are turning a blind eye to new rules that will muzzle doctors from speaking out, critics charged Wednesday....More

New recommendations propose changes to Canada's physical activity guidelines

TORONTO - Getting sedentary kids moving for even 30 minutes a day can be beneficial for their health, according to new research which also proposes updating physical activity guidelines for Canada's children and adults....More

Miracle Mineral Solution is unsafe in drinking water: Health Canada warning

TORONTO - Health Canada has issued a warning about a product sold on the Internet to treat drinking water. It says Miracle Mineral Solution, sold by MMSsupplier.com, is advertised as a 28 per cent solution of sodium chlorite....More

Flu expert urges pre-vaccination against possible pandemic strains

TORONTO - A leading figure in the world of flu is making a bold proposal on how to circumvent too-slow production and too-little output of influenza vaccine during a pandemic. Dr....More

Breastfeeding advocates want companies to stop giving formula to new moms

TORONTO - New mothers in Ontario are inundated with baby formula by companies, which makes it even more difficult to convince women to continue to breastfeed their babies, advocacy groups said Wednesday....More

DCA shows promise for brain tumour treatment, but still early days: researcher

TORONTO - A cheap generic drug that caused a big buzz a few years ago when it was found to shrink tumours in laboratory rats may provide a key for treating one of the deadliest cancers in humans, researchers say....More

Long-time Winnipeg city councillor in hospital after suffering sudden illness

WINNIPEG - A veteran Winnipeg city councillor is in stable condition after suffering an aneurysm. Harry Lazarenko was taken to hospital after falling ill while working at city hall late Monday afternoon....More

Feeling stressed, kid? Hearing Mom speak as good as a hug to calm nerves: study

TORONTO - Whether it's a tough exam, long day at the office or a pile of dirty laundry that's left you frazzled, new research suggests there may be a quick fix that's as comforting as a hug to soothe your stress — hearing from Mom....More

Edmonton man admits selling fake cancer drug to patients in Canada, US, Europe

PHOENIX - A Canadian man has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Phoenix to selling fake cancer drugs to dozens of patients in Canada, the United States and Europe....More

Cuisine Bernart chicken recalled in Quebec over listeria concerns

OTTAWA - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Cuisine Bern-Art Inc. are warning the public not to consume the Cuisine Bernart brand meals because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes....More

Canadian expert calls on U.S. FDA to stop 'unethical' diabetes drug trial

TORONTO - A leading Canadian drug safety researcher and the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen have called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to pull the plug on a major international trial of a controversial diabetes drug, Avandia....More

Behaviour changes drive big drop in heart disease deaths in Ontario: study

TORONTO - A substantial drop in cardiovascular deaths in Ontario from 1994 to 2005 was driven at least as much by efforts to reduce the risk of heart disease as by improvements in treatments for people who developed it, a new study suggests....More

Barbara Walters tells audience on 'The View' that she will have heart surgery

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Barbara Walters said she will have surgery to replace a faulty heart valve later this week and take the summer off from "The View" to recuperate. The television legend made the announcement on the air Monday....More

ABC weatherman Sam Champion latest in morning show trend, having live TV surgery

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Surgery at breakfast time is the latest odd television trend. ABC weatherman Sam Champion will have skin cancer cells removed from his shoulder live on "Good Morning America" on Wednesday, publicizing his own health issues to make viewers...More

Rising popularity of `hubble bubble' - aka hookah - worries anti-smoking forces

TORONTO - A new fad is threatening to undercut the hard-fought gains of laws that have placed strict limits on smoking in public, experts say....More

Less intense bone marrow transplants used to treat sickle cell, other disorders

WASHINGTON - Bone marrow transplants are undergoing a quiet revolution: No longer just for cancer, research is under way to ease the risks so they can target more people with diseases from sickle cell to deadly metabolic disorders....More

From first lady to military generals, U.S. declares war on childhood obesity

WASHINGTON - Michelle Obama is waging war against it. British chef Jamie Oliver crossed an ocean to become a foot soldier in the battle. Even a group of retired generals and admirals are on a mission to combat it....More

Federal government putting up money to get more doctors in northern Manitoba

WINNIPEG - The federal government is expanding a program that trains family doctors for remote northern communities in Manitoba. Ottawa is putting up $6.9 million to expand a medical residency program at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg....More

Barbara Walters tells audience on 'The View' that she will have heart surgery

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Barbara Walters said she will have surgery to replace a faulty heart valve later this week and take the summer off from "The View" to recuperate. The television legend made the announcement on the air Monday....More

Ahead of busy travel season, experts say health insurance can be critical

CHICAGO - Plane tickets, check. Passport, check. Medical evacuation insurance? It's probably not something most people think about when packing for a vacation. But Louise Robbins says she'd probably be bankrupt without it....More

Long-time Winnipeg city councillor in hospital after suffering sudden illness

WINNIPEG - A veteran Winnipeg city councillor is in stable condition after suffering an aneurysm. Harry Lazarenko was taken to hospital after falling ill while working at city hall late Monday afternoon....More

Barbara Walters tells audience on 'The View' that she will have heart surgery

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Barbara Walters said she will have surgery to replace a faulty heart valve later this week and take the summer off from "The View" to recuperate. The television legend made the announcement on the air Monday....More

Obama says new health care law already is helping millions of Americans and businesses

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama said Saturday that millions of Americans already are reaping benefits from the new national health care law, including tax breaks for some small businesses and help for families with young adults....More

G8 maternal health campaign slow to take off

OTTAWA - Ottawa should have been basking in praise by now for its efforts to push the G8 to fund maternal and child healthcare in developing countries....More

Processed salami and prosciutto ham recalled over Listeria concerns; Canadian Food Inspection Agency

OTTAWA - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a warning about certain processed meat products because they may be contaminated with Listeria. The warning involves Casa Italia brand salami and prosciutto ham, several other brand meats, and Emma Provolone cheese....More

Performance enhancing drug supply a 'problem of mammoth proportions': WADA

MONTREAL - World Anti-Doping Agency head John Fahey said a recent report from the international police agency on the supply and trafficking of performance enhancing drugs was a "reality check....More

For brain-injured Canadians services are scarce, waiting lists frustrating

KINGSTON, N.S. - After rebuilding his life following a severe brain injury Jason Gaudet now longs for a job and his own home - if only there was a place he could go....More

Atomic Energy Canada helps India find deadly nuclear equipment sold for scrap

TORONTO - News reports in India say a radioactive machine that killed a scrap dealer and seriously injured six others was purchased in Canada more than 40 years ago....More

Study says US cancer costs almost double in 20 years _ but not because of pricey treatments

ATLANTA - The cost of treating cancer in the United States nearly doubled over the past two decades, but expensive cancer drugs may not be the main reason why, according to a surprising new study. The study confounds conventional wisdom in several respects....More

Rising popularity of `hubble bubble' - aka hookah - worries anti-smoking forces

TORONTO - A new fad is threatening to undercut the hard-fought gains of laws that have placed strict limits on smoking in public, experts say....More

Saskatchewan plan to fight rising HIV rates includes First Nations

REGINA - Saskatchewan will work closely with First Nations and Metis people as it fights to lower an increasing number of HIV cases. Dr....More

Sask. politicians come together to push for release of medicare father's spy file

REGINA - Saskatchewan is ramping up pressure on the federal government to release RCMP intelligence files dating back 65 years on Tommy Douglas, the socialist icon widely credited as the father of Canada's public health-care system....More

Revolutionary Road: The pill that changed women's lives marks 50th anniversary

This Sunday - Mother's Day, ironically enough - marks the 50th anniversary of an invention that gave women greater power to choose if and when they wanted to become a mom....More

Pro-life groups push for BC hospitals to release abortion statistics

KELOWNA, B.C. - Pro-life groups are waiting expectantly to hear if they might ever get access to figures showing how many abortions are performed at British Columbia hospitals....More

N.S. health minister says province too broke to fund costly vision-loss drug

HALIFAX, N.S. - Nova Scotia's health minister says the province is simply too broke to pay for a costly but effective drug used to treat those suffering from age-related vision loss....More

Journal slams Tories' G8 abortion stand; calls it 'hypocritical and unjust'

OTTAWA - A top British medical journal is chiding the Harper government for refusing to put abortion funding on Canada's G8 agenda....More

Officials monitoring air, water, seafood to guard against health problems from Gulf oil leak

NEW ORLEANS - With a huge and unpredictable oil slick drifting in the Gulf of Mexico, state and federal authorities are preparing to deal with a variety of hazards to human health if and when the full brunt of the toxic mess washes ashore....More

Hand, foot and mouth disease spreads early in China, killing 260 children so far this year

BEIJING - Hand, foot and mouth disease, a virus that usually peaks during the hot months, has already killed 260 children in China this year and sickened hundreds of thousands more, the government said Friday....More

MS patients hold rallies to push for access to unproven vein-opening procedure

People with multiple sclerosis and their supporters rallied in cities across Canada on Wednesday, pressing for more funding and research for an unproven treatment for the disease....More

Misuse of Alzheimer drug patches can lead to OD, death, Health Canada warns

TORONTO - Health Canada and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada are warning against misuse of a drug patch for an Alzheimer's medication. They say people have overdosed and even died after using the Exelon Patch in the wrong way....More

Libs say Harper government funding cuts hit 24 women's groups, double previous number

OTTAWA - The number of women's groups cut off from federal funding has swelled to two dozen, fuelling opposition charges the Harper government is punishing those who dare to criticize its policies....More

China hit with world's fastest-growing syphilis epidemic; fueled by economic growth

Every hour a baby is born in China with syphilis, as the world's fastest-growing epidemic of the disease is fueled by men with new money from the nation's booming economy, researchers say....More

Big moms, small babes: fitness program aims to stop childhood obesity in womb

OTTAWA - As a child, Jodie Cook hung back from the action on the soccer field picking dandelions and trapping grasshoppers rather than chasing the ball. Sports were never encouraged at home and fitness just didn't interest her....More

B.C. mom co-writes survival guide for rookies entering the league of motherhood

It wasn't just the sleep-deprived nights that threw Erica Wells for a loop. As a first-time mother, she admits she didn't anticipate the overwhelming concerns she would feel for her new baby....More

Abuse of disabled prompts N.S. minister to increase oversight

HALIFAX, N.S. - Residential facilities for the disabled could lose their licences if they fail to act quickly when confronted with allegations of abuse or neglect, the Nova Scotia government announced Wednesday....More

Pro-life groups push for BC hospitals to release abortion statistics

KELOWNA, B.C. - Pro-life groups are waiting expectantly to hear if they might ever get access to figures showing how many abortions are performed at British Columbia hospitals....More

Alberta Health Services asks court to delay bankruptcy for private hospital

CALGARY - A lawyer for Alberta's health-care provider argued in a Calgary court Monday that a private hospital teetering on bankruptcy should be kept open to allay fears the public may have about cancelled surgeries and longer wait times....More

UN health agency hopes new snake venom website will take bite out of 100,000 yearly deaths

GENEVA - The World Health Organization launched a website Tuesday it hopes will help cut the estimated 100,000 deaths caused annually by snake poison. The site contains a database of approved antivenoms to treat the 2.5 million people who suffer venomous bites each year, the U.N....More

U.S. stomach cancer rates take puzzling rise in young, white adults: study

CHICAGO - Scientists are puzzling over a surprising increase in stomach cancer in young white adults, while rates in all other American adults have declined....More

Spaniard who had partial face transplant appears in public for first time, thanks donor family

MADRID, Spain - A Spanish man who underwent a partial face transplant hugged his surgeon Tuesday and expressed gratitude to the donor's family as he appeared in public for the first time since the January operation....More

Parents with more education less likely to let their daughters get HPV shots

TORONTO - It might seem counterintuitive but it also appears to be true: Parents with more education were less likely to get their daughters vaccinated against HPV during the first year of British Columbia's free school-based program, a new study shows....More

Harper government axes funding for 11 women's groups

OTTAWA - A women's rights group says the Harper government has cut funding for 11 women's groups in the last two weeks - just as it prepares to champion maternal health at next month's G8 summit....More

FDA inspectors found lax testing, oversight at J&J's Tylenol production site

WASHINGTON - U.S. federal health regulators say Johnson & Johnson managers failed to test for contamination of more than 40 varieties of children's cold medicines recalled over the weekend ....More

5 weeks before World Cup, WHO alerts visitors to South Africa of outbreak

GENEVA - The World Health Organization has advised tourists in South Africa to guard against mosquito bites and contact with animals after a Rift Valley Fever outbreak....More

Nova Scotia autism report calls for creation of 'total care centres'

HALIFAX, N.S. - The Nova Scotia government should set up a network of regional centres to provide a wide range of care for people living with autism, a team of advisers recommends in a report released Monday....More

MD guidelines aimed at curbing growing misuse of opioid prescriptions in Canada

TORONTO - A rise in prescriptions for opioids like OxyContin has spurred a group of Canadian doctors to develop new guidelines to cut back on growing misuse of the drugs....More

McGuinty promises to resolve claims in Walkerton tainted water tragedy

WALKERTON, Ont. - Ontario hopes to move "sooner rather than later" on about 200 unresolved claims related to the deadly tainted water tragedy in Walkerton almost a decade ago, Premier Dalton McGuinty said Monday....More

Human growth hormone, drug of choice of many sports cheats, does work: study

TORONTO - The skeptics are wrong and the cheaters are right - human growth hormone does enhance athletic performance, new research suggests. The Australian researchers who conducted the study said the work shows HGH, as it is called, might shave 0....More

Cure rate for childhood cancers at all-time high, but can come at a price

Vikram Bubber was just five when he began treatment for a tumour in his middle ear, but the memories of multiple bouts of chemotherapy and lying on a cold steel table beneath a radiation beam have barely dimmed with time....More

Cdns, other foreigners visiting Cuba required to have travel health insurance

HAVANA, Cuba - Canadians and other foreigners travelling to Cuba now need to hold travel insurance approved by island authorities before they can enjoy their time in the sun. Those without coverage will have to buy a local policy that can cost up to $3 a day....More

Alberta Health Services asks court to delay bankruptcy for private hospital

CALGARY - A lawyer for Alberta's health-care provider argued in a Calgary court Monday that a private hospital teetering on bankruptcy should be kept open to allay fears the public may have about cancelled surgeries and longer wait times....More

UN health agency hopes new snake venom website will take bite out of 100,000 yearly deaths

GENEVA - The World Health Organization launched a website Tuesday it hopes will help cut the estimated 100,000 deaths caused annually by snake poison. The site contains a database of approved antivenoms to treat the 2.5 million people who suffer venomous bites each year, the U.N....More

Montreal law firm say claimants have a month to opt out of class action suit against Pfizer Canada

MONTREAL - Time is running out for Canadian women to opt out of a class-action lawsuit against Pfizer Canada Inc. and Pfizer Inc. over its birth control drug Depo-Provera....More

McNeil recalls children's over-the-counter liquid cold, allergy meds that don't meet standards

WASHINGTON - More than 40 over-the-counter infant's and children's liquid medications are being recalled in the United States and 11 other countries because they don't meet quality standards....More

Adult death rates low in Iceland and Cyprus, highest in Swaziland, Zambia: study

LONDON - Men in Iceland and women in Cyprus have the lowest risk of dying worldwide, a new study says. In a survey from 1970 to 2010, researchers found a widening gap between countries with the highest and lowest premature death rates in adults aged 15 to 60....More

Studies find high-dose vitamin D during pregnancy safe, but some preach caution

TORONTO - Taking high doses of vitamin D during pregnancy is safe and appears to reduce the risk of pre-term birth and infections, say the authors of a study that compared different amounts of supplementation in expectant mothers....More

FDA investigates after McNeil recalls children's medications

WASHINGTON - The Food and Drug Administration said Saturday it was investigating a health-care company for possible other problems following its recall of more than 40 over-the-counter infant's and children's liquid medications....More

Deficit forces closure of diabetic clinic, rehab program at Cobourg hospital

COBOURG, Ont. - Northumberland Hills Hospital in Cobourg has closed its diabetes clinic, along with its outpatient rehab services. The hospital is dealing with a $1.8-million deficit for 2010-2011. Hospital officials say the move will save about $400,000....More

Alberta Health seeking bankruptcy protection for private hospital

CALGARY - A private Calgary hospital that has been performing hip, knee, foot and ankle injuries for the last four years is fighting for its financial life....More

Do pediatricians subscribe to old wives' tales? Some do, U.S. survey suggests

Parents go to their pediatrician looking for advice about the care and safety of their kids, but there may be times when they're being served up an old wives' tale or a dangerous myth, a new study suggests. Lead investigator Dr....More