Nova Scotia to implement computerized drug record system for use by 2014

HALIFAX - The government of Nova Scotia is planning to implement a drug information system by 2014 at a cost of more than $27 million....More

N.B. doctors say essential to monitor blood services program to ensure supply

FREDERICTON - New Brunswick doctors are among those watching with interest as the province mulls over a report on blood services, saying patient safety is their chief concern....More

M&M Meat Shops sorbet products recalled over milk not declared on the label

OTTAWA - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning people with milk allergies not to consume certain M&M Meat Shops brand sorbet products. The agency says they may contain milk which is not declared on the label....More

J&J reduces maximum Extra Strength Tylenol dose in U.S.; no change in Canada

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. - Johnson & Johnson is reducing the maximum daily dose of its Extra Strength Tylenol pain reliever in the United States to lower risk of accidental overdose....More

Fisher-Price recalls Little People Builders' Load'n Go red wagon with yellow handle

TORONTO - Fisher-Price and Health Canada are recalling a small red Builders' Load'n Go Wagon that is part of the Little People line of toys....More

B.C. residents warned of West Nile threat with rising mosquito population

VANCOUVER - B.C. residents are being warned to take precautions against mosquitoes that might be carrying the West Nile virus....More

Advocate wants provincewide changes after baby's death at Regina hospital

SASKATOON - Saskatchewan's children's advocate is pushing for provincewide guidelines on where newborns should sleep in hospitals. Bob Pringle also wants more education for new parents on the risks of taking their babies into bed once they get home....More

Should feds be on the hook for the costs of smoking? Top court to rule today

OTTAWA - The Supreme Court of Canada will rule this morning on whether the federal government can be brought into court cases against Big Tobacco....More

European study finds no link between a few years of cellphone use, kids' cancer risk

WASHINGTON - A European study concludes a few years of cellphone use did not raise children's risks of brain cancer....More

Doctors say hypnosis eases recovery, pain for some patients having surgery

LONDON - As the surgeons cut into her neck, Marianne Marquis was thinking of the beach. As she heard the doctors' voices, she was imagining her toes in the sand, the water lapping....More

BC Hydro's mandatory energy meters not so Smart, say Greens

VANCOUVER - The Green Party of B.C. is calling for a halt to Smart Meter installation across the province over health and environmental concerns, saying other options should be considered for saving energy....More

Alberta to survey MS patients on liberation therapy using the web

CALGARY - Jessica Williams already believes in the controversial treatment for multiple sclerosis known as liberation therapy. Kathy Collins is optimistic, but not totally convinced that it is safe....More

Alberta to survey MS patients on liberation therapy

CALGARY - Alberta will spend up to $1 million to consult with multiple sclerosis patients over a controversial treatment known as liberation therapy....More

Safe injections sites needed across Canada to boost fight against hep B, C

VANCOUVER - Canada needs safe-injection sites in every region to curb the spread of hepatitis B and C, says a health-care coalition that is calling for a more aggressive approach to combat the diseases....More

N.B. doctors say essential to monitor blood services program to ensure supply

FREDERICTON - New Brunswick doctors are among those watching with interest as the province mulls over a report on blood services, saying patient safety is their chief concern....More

M&M Meat Shops sorbet products recalled over milk not declared on the label

OTTAWA - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning people with milk allergies not to consume certain M&M Meat Shops brand sorbet products. The agency says they may contain milk which is not declared on the label....More

Fed-up Arctic towns want health-care control back from Nunavut

IQALUIT, Nunavut - Arctic towns fed up with the Nunavut government's poor record on health care want the territory to shift more control over services to them....More

Education strategy on antibiotic prescribing in Quebec had an impact: study

TORONTO - Guidelines for Quebec doctors on proper antibiotic use led to a decline in these prescriptions in the province, while prescribing rose in other provinces, a new study suggests....More

Dubai man charged with killing US medical student in Curacao

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - A Dubai man has been charged with killing a medical school classmate from New Jersey and is being held under psychiatric observation on the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao, authorities said Tuesday....More

Don't steer clear when signs of pain persist in bike-related falls, says expert

TORONTO - As the bicycle veered toward the curb, his feet firmly clipped to the pedals, Alfred Pietrowski could do little else but brace for impact. "You have to twist your ankle to get out of the clip to release it," he recalled. "But this was ......More

Canadians know all they need to know about Layton's cancer battle: NDP says

OTTAWA - Americans can find out the precise state of Barack Obama's colon, courtesy of the White House, which publicly releases the results of the U.S. president's check-ups....More

Kids from homes with grow-ops healthy and drug free, says Toronto-based study

TORONTO - When it comes to children being raised in homes where their parents produced drugs, medically speaking, in most cases the kids are all right, suggests a Toronto-based study....More

Independent pharmacists to defy N.L. gov't rule regarding provincial drug cards

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - A group of 65 independent pharmacy owners in Newfoundland and Labrador is going head-to-head with the provincial government. They say starting Thursday they will no longer accept provincial drug cards to fill prescriptions....More

For thyroid surgery and other procedures, doctors say hypnosis eases recovery, pain for some

LONDON - As the surgeons cut into her neck, Marianne Marquis was thinking of the beach. As she heard the doctors' voices, she was imagining her toes in the sand, the water lapping....More

Health minister moves to restrict toxic cadmium in children's jewelry

OTTAWA - Ottawa wants to crack down on the amount of toxic cadmium in children's jewelry....More

Guidelines aimed at helping MDs tailor health care to immigrants, refugees

TORONTO - Doctors now have a comprehensive set of guidelines to help them care for immigrants and refugees, whose often complex health needs can differ significantly from those of home-grown Canadians....More

Earache can be side-effect of summer splash season: preventing swimmer's ear

TORONTO - Nothing refreshes on a scorching hot summer day quite like a plunge into a swimming pool or one of the glistening lakes that dot the Canadian landscape....More

Camps aim to hook kids on doctoring with donated eyes, pig stitches

WARRENTON, Va. - Again and again, 12-year-old Brianna Bowens cautiously pokes the human eyeball. On purpose. The donated eye is tougher than you'd think....More

Agromod Produce says its papayas from Mexico may be contaminated with salmonella

TORONTO - A Texas company is recalling papayas that it distributed in the United States and Canada because they have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency posted the Agromod Produce Inc....More

Troops, vets get smartphone help for stresses or battlefield; there's an app for that

WASHINGTON - When terrifying battlefield memories come rushing back to mind, in night sweats, flashbacks or a panic attack, some troops and veterans now find comfort by reaching for their smart phones....More

Jack Layton says he has new cancer, takes temporary leave as leader of the NDP

OTTAWA - Only three months after riding Jack Layton's personal popularity to a historic electoral breakthrough, New Democrats are confronting the tragic possibility that they'll have to soldier on without their charismatic leader....More

Education strategy on antibiotic prescribing in Quebec had an impact: study

TORONTO - Guidelines for Quebec doctors on proper antibiotic use led to a decline in these prescriptions in the province, while prescribing rose in other provinces, a new study suggests....More

North Bay police warn parents of hot car danger after child rushed to hospital

NORTH BAY, Ont. - It looks like a 17-month-old child is going to be OK after being left unattended in a hot vehicle in North Bay, Ont., for about an hour....More

No reason for sudden departure of foundation CEO at Halifax children's hospital

HALIFAX - The head of the fundraising arm for a Halifax children's hospital has suddenly left the job. The board of trustees for the IWK Health Centre Foundation says Dr. Margaret Magner has left her position as president and chief executive officer....More

Canada's last functional asbestos mine about to run out of asbestos: feds

MONTREAL - A confidential federal memo suggests Canada's last fully functional asbestos mine is about to die, raising the prospect the controversial industry might just disappear on its own....More

Bottle of prenatal multivitamins has unidentified capsules: tampering suspected

OTTAWA - Health Canada is warning Canadians to check the seal on new bottles of Centrum Materna after a container of the prenatal multivitamin was found with unidentified capsules....More

Rash of oblique strains lands some of game's biggest names on disabled list

DENVER - The piercing twinge Minnesota Twins reliever Glen Perkins experienced each time he threw to the plate almost felt like a knife being plunged into his rib cage — and twisted....More

Four staff at upscale Toronto restaurant infected with mumps

TORONTO - Toronto health officials say anyone who dined earlier this month at an upscale downtown Japanese restaurant should check themselves for symptoms of mumps after four staff at the eatery were infected with the virus....More

Surrey, B.C. mayor recovering in hospital after horseback riding accident

SURREY, B.C. - The mayor of British Columbia's second largest city was recovering in hospital with two fractured vertebrae Sunday following a weekend horseback riding accident....More

Vaccine credited with big cut in chickenpox deaths, especially in children: CDC

ATLANTA - Chickenpox vaccine has dramatically cut deaths from the disease, especially in children, says a new U.S. government study proclaiming an important public health victory....More

CP Exclusive: Ontario facing serious shortage of hospital beds, new report warns

TORONTO - Ontario is grappling with a serious shortage of hospital beds that's compromising patient care and the province has failed to plan for the demands hospitals may face in the future, says a new report obtained by The Canadian Press....More

Canada's First Nations turn to China for economic development opportunities

VANCOUVER - Canada's First Nations want a piece of the economic pie and they are now turning to China for a better and more prosperous future....More

Alberta government gives thousands of community support workers incentive pay

EDMONTON - Alberta is giving thousands of community agency workers who help children, families and seniors two special incentive payments to stay on the job....More

U.K. scientists call for agency to oversee experiments mixing human, animal cells

LONDON - British scientists say a new expert body should be formed to regulate experiments mixing animal and human DNA to make sure no medical or ethical boundaries are crossed....More

New Brunswick seeks input on how to make drugs more affordable

FREDERICTON - The New Brunswick government plans to meet with a variety of professionals to get some input on how to make drugs more affordable....More

Heat oppressive but sunny days lift spirits of people with seasonal mood disorder

TORONTO - For Canadians in much of the country baking under skyrocketing mercury readings, it's pretty well a case of grin — or perhaps grimace — and bear it. But for people with seasonal mood disorders, sunny days are definitely something to smile about....More

Health Canada reviews heart safety of drug used for abnormal heart rhythm

TORONTO - Health Canada is reviewing the safety of the prescription drug Multaq, which is used to reduce the risk of hospitalization for people with an abnormal heart rate....More

Analysis: Doctors debate testing for Alzheimer's disease if you can't treat it

PARIS - Picture yourself in Barbara Lesher's shoes: 54 years old and fearing you are developing Alzheimer's disease. "I don't remember if I had a bath," said Lesher, who lives north of Harrisburg, Pa. "It took me two hours to follow a recipe....More

Osteoporosis rates in 50-plus hold steady, many take calcium, vitamin D: StatsCan

OTTAWA - A new report says about 20 per cent of Canadian women and almost four per cent of men aged 50 or older have been diagnosed with osteoporosis....More

New reason for infertility: lack of coating that's supposed to help sperm swim

WASHINGTON - Scientists have found a new contributor to male infertility, a protein that's supposed to coat sperm to help them swim to an egg, unless that coating goes missing....More

Lung disease found in returning U.S. soldiers; most linked to mine fire

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Some American soldiers have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan with an untreatable lung disease that interferes with their ability to do physical exercise, possibly caused by inhaling toxic material, doctors report....More

Health Canada toughens warnings about stomach drug metoclopramide

OTTAWA - Health Canada is updating labelling information for the digestive drug metoclopramide to include stronger warnings about a potential side-effect that leads to uncontrollable muscle movements, mainly in the face....More

CP Exclusive: Ontario facing serious shortage of hospital beds, new report warns

TORONTO - Ontario is grappling with a serious shortage of hospital beds that's compromising patient care and the province has failed to plan for the demands hospitals may face in the future, says a new report obtained by The Canadian Press....More

Canada's First Nations turn to China for economic development opportunities

VANCOUVER - Canada's First Nations want a piece of the economic pie and they are now turning to China for a better and more prosperous future....More

Alberta government gives thousands of community support workers incentive pay

EDMONTON - Alberta is giving thousands of community agency workers who help children, families and seniors two special incentive payments to stay on the job....More

New Brunswick seeks input on how to make drugs more affordable

FREDERICTON - The New Brunswick government plans to meet with a variety of professionals to get some input on how to make drugs more affordable....More

Health review board critical of Ashley Smith's prison treatment before her death

TORONTO - A health review board examining the case of Ashley Smith has been left with a lingering question: How was an obviously troubled 19-year-old inmate left so long without proper treatment? The Health Professions Appeal and Review Board was only...More

FDA plans to regulate mobile device apps that can affect health

WASHINGTON - The Food and Drug Administration is taking the first steps toward regulating the rapidly expanding field of medical applications, or apps, for smartphones and other handheld devices....More

Doctors, nurses offer premiers health-reform principles for Vancouver meeting

OTTAWA - Canada's doctors and nurses want the premiers to put together a national reform package for the health-care system focused on patients, quality of care, health promotion and illness prevention....More

Brain, thirst changes explain why even healthy, active seniors should be careful in heat waves

CHICAGO - This week's heat wave may be uncomfortable, but you're healthy, active and feel just fine. So what if you're over 65? Think again. Feeling good doesn't mean you're safe....More

Beating the heat about more than just comfort, health also a concern: experts

TORONTO - The heat dome stalled over much of Canada not only makes people miserable as they try to cope with sizzling temperatures, but it also can cause severe — even potentially fatal — health effects....More

B.C. mom says daughter saved by blood-carrying paramedics in Australia

KAMLOOPS, B.C. - The mother of a Kamloops, B.C., woman says Canadian paramedics should offer the same lifesaving service that her 23-year-old daughter received in Australia....More

Researchers report progress on a blood test for Alzheimer's that indicates hidden brain plaque

PARIS - Scientists are closing in on a long-sought goal: A blood test to screen people for Alzheimer's disease....More

New report says health officials not on track to eradicate polio by the end of 2012

LONDON - The world is not on track to wipe out polio by the end of 2012, a group of independent health experts warned Wednesday....More

Studies in older veterans, football players tie head injuries to risk of Alzheimer's, dementia

PARIS - A large study in older veterans raises fresh concern about mild brain injuries that hundreds of thousands of troops have suffered from explosions in recent wars....More

Low-tech MedicAlert bracelets beginning to have high-tech application

OTTAWA - It's a decidedly low-tech method responsible for saving countless lives across the country. But as it marks 50 years in use in Canada, the MedicAlert system is beginning to have high-tech applications....More

Exposure to second-hand smoke linked with hearing loss in teens, study suggests

TORONTO - Second-hand smoke exposure has been linked to a host of health-related issues, but new research is pointing to another potential side-effect: hearing loss....More

Crack pipe sharing in B.C. shows gaps in services for addicts: researchers

VANCOUVER - Newly released data suggest about two-thirds of crack cocaine smokers in Vancouver and Victoria share crack pipes, a trend researchers say puts drug users at risk because of the lack of services available to help them....More

Aging America: Baby boomers worry about cancer, memory loss; weight is a threat, too

WASHINGTON - Baby boomers in the United States say their biggest health fear is cancer. Given their waistlines, heart disease and diabetes should be atop that list, too....More

10 minutes at a time helps when trying to meet physical activity recommendations

It may sound daunting: The U.S. government says most adults should get 2 1/2 hours a week of physical activity that revs their heart rates. But if you can't do that much, don't give up — every little bit helps, especially as people age....More

Study: Exercise, healthy living, treating depression could slash millions of Alzheimer's cases

PARIS - Taking care of your body just might save your mind. Millions of cases of Alzheimer's disease worldwide could be prevented by curbing risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, obesity and lack of exercise, new research suggests....More

Married men with chest pain seek heart attack care faster than singles: study

TORONTO - Men who are married or in a common-law relationship are known to enjoy a lot of health perks compared to single guys — and it seems that includes getting to hospital sooner for a suspected heart attack, researchers suggest....More

B.C. adds esophageal cancer to list of WCB-covered illnesses for firefighters

VANCOUVER - The B.C. government has added esophageal cancer to a list of work-related illnesses suffered by firefighters. Premier Christy Clark says the change takes effect immediately....More

WHO says widely used blood tests to detect tuberculosis unreliable, 'dangerous' to patients

GENEVA - The World Health Organization says widely used blood tests to detect tuberculosis are "dangerous" to patients because they are unreliable....More

Ontario coroner takes in-depth look at spate of First Nations youth suicides

TORONTO - Janice started abusing solvents when she was 10, the same year she spent her first of many nights in a police cell. At 12, she first attempted suicide....More

Gene splicing experts at UNBC find clue in molecule that could help in disorders

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. - A technical breakthrough in gene splicing by experts at the University of Northern B.C. may lead to better understanding of genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy and certain types of dwarfism....More

Falls in elderly, experimental eye test are studied as possible clues to Alzheimer's disease

PARIS - Scientists in Australia are reporting encouraging early results from a simple eye test they hope will give a noninvasive way to detect signs of Alzheimer's disease....More

Elderly patient with C. difficile dies in Niagara-area hospital

WELLAND, Ont. - Another death has been linked to C. difficile in Ontario as six hospitals in the province continue to battle outbreaks of the infection....More

Study: US kids have fewer injuries in crashes with grandparents driving than with mom & dad

CHICAGO - American kids may be safest in cars when grandma or grandpa are driving instead of mom or dad, according to study results that even made the researchers do a double-take....More

Studies in older veterans, football players tie head injuries to risk of Alzheimer's, dementia

PARIS - A large study in older veterans raises fresh concern about mild brain injuries that hundreds of thousands of troops have suffered from explosions in recent wars....More

Health officials in Labrador confirm case of Hepatitis A in food service worker

LABRADOR CITY, N.L. - Officials at the Labrador-Grenfell Regional Health Authority say there is a case of hepatitis A in their region....More

H1N1 breath test could help ID those infected with flu virus, study suggests

TORONTO - Breath tests are commonly used to detect blood alcohol levels and monitor asthma, and now a similar test could possibly help identify people infected with the H1N1 flu virus, a new study suggests....More

CDC study: Film companies with set policies do better job of cutting smoking from youth movies

ATLANTA - Three film companies have drastically reduced smoking in their movies aimed at children and teens, thanks in part to their policies to reduce on-screen tobacco use, a new study says....More

Calgary study confirms rodeo one of the most dangerous sports in the world

CALGARY - A new study confirms what many cowboys already know — rodeo is one of the most dangerous sports in the world and that riding an angry, bucking, 900-kilogram bull can be deadly....More

Breaking the silence can reduce the number of music-related injuries: experts

TORONTO - Eleanor Edgar is afraid she may have to give up on her long-time dream of playing the accordion....More

B.C. family runs 600 kilometres to raise money for cancer research

VANCOUVER - A North Okanagan family has completed a 600-kilometre trek to Vancouver to raise money for cancer research. Members of the Preston-Gosselin clan from Lavingon, B.C., crossed the finish line at Sunset Beach on a soggy Thursday morning....More

Another death at Guelph, Ont., hospital linked to C. difficile

GUELPH, Ont. - Another death has been tied to C. difficile as the number of Ontario hospitals battling outbreaks of the infection dropped to six Thursday....More

Health authority orders no more nibbling at Vancouver Island fish spa

VANCOUVER - Fish nibbling was becoming a popular pedicure procedure at a Vancouver Island spa, at least until health officials found out. Dixie Simpson, owner of Duncan, B.C....More

Niagara-area hospital worker infected with C. difficile

ST. CATHARINES, Ont. - A hospital worker in the Niagara region has contracted C. difficile. Niagara Health System interim CEO Sue Matthews said it was confirmed Wednesday afternoon that the employee has the deadly bacterial infection....More

Keeping healthy - even to how dentures fit - can lower dementia risk: study

TORONTO - Health factors considered outside the box when it comes to the risk of getting Alzheimer's or another dementia — including whether a person's dentures fit properly or they suffer from poor eyesight or hearing — may in fact contribute to development of the...More

Clarification to July 11 story about baby that died in a Regina hospital

REGINA - A story by The Canadian Press on July 11 about an infant who died in a Regina hospital in March did not make it sufficiently clear that investigators have not reached any conclusions about how the baby died....More

Cape Breton health board halts study after privacy breach involving 277 patients

SYDNEY, N.S. - Letters have been mailed to 277 patients in Cape Breton informing them of a privacy breach involving their medical records....More

Brands of Oral B mouthwash recalled due to possible contamination: Health Canada

OTTAWA - Health Canada says Procter & Gamble is voluntarily recalling two different brands of Oral B mouthwash due to possible contamination....More

Baby rice cereal has undeclared gluten: CFIA

Canadian Food Inspection Agency officials are warning parents with allergic children about a rice cereal for babies that contains gluten and does not say so on the label....More

'Game changer' in Africa: AIDS drug that stopped spread among gays also worked for straights

ATLANTA - An AIDS drug already shown to help prevent spread of the virus in gay men also works for heterosexual men and women, two studies in Africa found. Experts called it a breakthrough for the continent that has suffered most from AIDS....More

Police say California woman drugged estranged husband, cut off penis, used garbage disposal

WESTMINSTER, Calif. - A Southern California woman accused of cutting off her estranged husband's penis and putting it down a garbage disposal was charged Wednesday with torture in a case that has garnered international attention and could put her behind bars for life....More

Kidiway Mini-Tammy cribs recalled due to potential safety risk: Health Canada

OTTAWA - Health Canada says a line of cribs is being recalled due to a potential safety hazard. The federal department says the instructions provided with Kidiway's Mini-Tammy cribs may prevent consumers from assembling the item properly....More

Hospital in eastern Ontario takes on hundreds more surgeries after funding boost

WINCHESTER, Ont. - A newly renovated hospital in eastern Ontario is gearing up to take on more work. Ontario Health Minister Deb Matthews was at the facility today in Winchester, about 45 kilometres southeast of Ottawa....More

FDA eases rules for Alzheimer's experiments, hoping to speed treatments for dementia

The U.S. government is making it easier to test new Alzheimer's drugs, hoping to speed progress toward new treatments for the mind-robbing disease. One of every eight people 65 or older in the U.S. has Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia....More

Doctors, ethicists say parents should lose custody of super-obese kids in extreme cases

CHICAGO - Should parents of extremely obese children lose custody for not controlling their kids' weight? A provocative commentary in one of the most distinguished medical journals in the United States argues yes, and its authors are joining a quiet chorus of advocates who say...More

Dangers of a salty diet might be worsened by eating too little potassium: study

ATLANTA - The debate about the dangers of eating too much salt has gained a new wrinkle: A U.S. federal study suggests that the people most at risk are those who also get too little potassium....More

Adventure Playsets recalls wooden play sets due to fall hazard: Health Canada

OTTAWA - Health Canada says wooden play sets linked to a reported fall in the U.S. are being voluntarily recalled. The health department says the recall involves wooden play sets with swings, slides and ladders by Adventure Playsets....More

Scientists say smell of old socks can help fight deadly malaria by luring mosquitoes into trap

NAIROBI, Kenya - The smell of old socks can help fight malaria by attracting mosquitoes to a trap outdoors, scientists have found, and on Wednesday donors announced new funding to help develop the device....More

Pills prevent HIV infection in heterosexual men and women, 2 new African studies say

ATLANTA - Two new studies found that daily pills prevented infection with the AIDS virus in heterosexual men and women in Africa, bringing new hope for someday offering a medical shield against HIV infection. "This is good news....More

Scientists discover first gonorrhea strain resistant to all antibiotics

TORONTO - A superbug strain of gonorrhea that's resistant to all available antibiotics has been discovered in Japan, posing a potential threat to public health worldwide, infectious disease experts say....More

Research finds clue to why sunburns sting, but the sun-savvy can avoid the hurt

WASHINGTON - If you've hit the beach, chances are you've experienced an unfortunate rite of summer: The sunburn. Skin so swollen it hurts to bend. The heat that rises from reddened shoulders. The "ow, ow, ow" from the shower after you'd thought the pain had faded....More

Regina hospital changing policy after newborn dies in bed with mom

REGINA - The death of a newborn has the Regina health region developing a new policy on babies sharing a bed with parents....More

New strain of gonorrhea resistant to drugs

Researchers are warning of a new strain of gonorrhea that's resistant to all the antibiotics currently available and, if widespread, could turn a once easily treatable infection into a global public health threat....More

Death at Guelph, Ont., hospital linked to C. difficile outbreak

GUELPH, Ont. - Another death in an Ontario hospital has been linked to C. difficile, bringing the province's toll to at least 21 since late May, health officials said Monday....More

Baby exercise recommended under new U.K. guidelines

New parents in the U.K. have one more thing to worry about, thanks to new guidelines from the country's health department -- making sure their babies, toddlers and preschool-age kids are getting enough physical activity....More

Arthritis not limited to the elderly and strikes one in every 1,000 children

MONTREAL - Simone Cavanaugh vividly remembers her first experience with juvenile arthritis. She was six years old and woke up in excruciating pain. "I woke up crying," said Cavanaugh, who is now 18....More

More AIDS patients may get drugs after Gilead agrees to let generic companies make them

LONDON - Gilead Sciences Inc. will allow some of its AIDS drugs to be made by generic manufacturers, potentially increasing their availability in poor countries, particularly in Africa, officials said Tuesday....More

C. difficile outbreaks 'par for the course,' expert says; 3 more deaths reported

TORONTO - A spate of C. difficile outbreaks that has struck at least eight hospitals in Ontario is "par for the course" in the province, an infectious diseases expert said Friday. "We always have a baseline of outbreaks in the province," said Dr....More

Antibiotic standard treatment for C. diff, but fecal transplant also an option

TORONTO - Most people sickened by C. difficile can be successfully cured with antibiotics, but for patients who continue to suffer relapses of the debilitating and potentially deadly bowel infection, doctors sometimes turn to a last-ditch salvage therapy known as a fecal...More

Appeal Court rejects illegal immigrant's bid for government health care

TORONTO - The Federal Court of Appeal has rejected an illegal immigrant's bid to have her medical treatments covered under Canada's healthcare system, saying it could undermine immigration laws and turn the country into a "health care safe haven....More

Women who sit longer at greater risk of blood clots: Study

There's more proof that being a couch potato is bad for your health. A new study shows women who sit for long periods of time every day are up to three times more likely to develop a life-threatening blood clot in their lungs, compared to women who are more...More

Vancouver's Underwear Affair raises $630,000 for cancer research, treatment

VANCOUVER - Costume-clad runners raised about $630,000 for below-the-waist cancer research Saturday. B.C. Cancer Foundation president Douglas Nelson says 1,076 people signed up to participate in the sixth-annual Underwear Affair in Vancouver....More

Study links vitamin-D deficiency with increased risk of muscle injuries

New research has connected vitamin-D deficiency to an increased risk of muscle injuries in athletes. Researchers looked at 89 football players from a single NFL team and conducted lab tests of vitamin D levels in the spring of 2010....More

Ontario hospitals fighting C. difficile outbreaks fall to seven

TORONTO - The number of Ontario hospitals battling C. difficile outbreaks has fallen to seven, the province said Sunday. Ontario's acting chief medical officer, Dr. David Williams, said the Addington General Hospital in Napanee, Ont....More

To fight obesity, UK says all children, even those who can't yet walk, should exercise

LONDON - In a new campaign against obesity, the British government issued guidelines on Monday saying that children under the age of five — including those who can't even walk yet — should exercise every day....More

Move past eHealth scandal and make electronic records a priority: OMA

TORONTO - Ontario's political parties should not let the spectre of the eHealth scandal stop them from making electronic health records an election priority, the Ontario Medical Association said Wednesday. "We've got to move past eHealth," said president Dr....More

Judge gives green light to class-action lawsuit over Sydney tar ponds

HALIFAX - A judge says a case against the federal and Nova Scotia governments involving the former Sydney steel plant can proceed as a class-action lawsuit....More

Dozens rally for health care in Niagara after rash of C. difficile deaths

NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. - About 100 Niagara-area residents took to the streets Wednesday to show their frustration with health care in the region following C. difficile outbreaks at three hospitals....More

Cancer Society defends spending after research dollars questioned

TORONTO - The Canadian Cancer Society defended its spending decisions Wednesday after the popular charity was criticized for allocating a larger slice of its donation pie to fundraising efforts than to research aimed at conquering the disease....More

30 years after first test-tube baby, infertile couples still face many obstacles

LONDON - More than 30 years after the world's first test-tube baby was born and despite modest advances, scientists are still struggling to dramatically improve the odds for infertile couples trying to have children....More

Romance novels may be bad for your health: Study

Tales of multiple orgasms and perfect relationships may be doing women more harm than good, says a U.K. relationship specialist....More

Opposition says bids by former eHealth players don't pass 'the sniff test'

TORONTO - The Ontario Liberals are again on the defensive over eHealth, after it was revealed two executives once linked to the scandal-plagued agency were in the running for a lucrative new contract....More

Ontario calls in federal experts to help with C. difficile outbreak

OTTAWA - The federal government has sent a "disease detective" to help Ontario deal with a dangerous outbreak of C. difficile that has hit at least 10 hospitals....More

Nova Scotia holds line on health authority budgets for first time in decade

HALIFAX - The Nova Scotia government has approved the business plans of the province's nine district health authorities — marking the first time in a decade that their budgets have not increased....More

Niagara hospitals targeted by rally after rash of C. difficile deaths

NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. - Frustrated Niagara residents are hitting the streets this afternoon to speak out against what they see as a local health-care crisis....More

New tool can predict rates of cancer and its impact

A new tool developed in Canada can predict rates of cancer and its impact on the economy and the health-care system....More

Move past eHealth scandal and make electronic records a priority: OMA

TORONTO - Ontario's political parties should not let the spectre of the eHealth scandal stop them from making electronic health records an election priority, the Ontario Medical Association said Wednesday. "We've got to move past eHealth," said president Dr....More

Judge gives green light to class-action lawsuit over Sydney tar ponds

HALIFAX - A judge says a case against the federal and Nova Scotia governments involving the former Sydney steel plant can proceed as a class-action lawsuit....More

Dozens rally for health care in Niagara after rash of C. difficile deaths

NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. - About 100 Niagara-area residents took to the streets Wednesday to show their frustration with health care in the region following C. difficile outbreaks at three hospitals....More

Cancer Society defends spending after research dollars questioned

TORONTO - The Canadian Cancer Society defended its spending decisions Wednesday after the popular charity was criticized for allocating a larger slice of its donation pie to fundraising efforts than to research aimed at conquering the disease....More

30 years after first test-tube baby, infertile couples still face many obstacles

LONDON - More than 30 years after the world's first test-tube baby was born and despite modest advances, scientists are still struggling to dramatically improve the odds for infertile couples trying to have children....More

Manitoba helps non-profit groups get funding to battle pesky bedbugs

WINNIPEG - Manitoba’s bedbug battle is going to kids’ camps. Healthy Living Minister Jim Rondeau said in a statement Tuesday that items needed to prevent bedbug infestations are being made available to the Manitoba Camping Association through...More

Gum disease makes it hard to get pregnant: Study

Women trying to conceive should add flossing regularly, along with stopping smoking and drinking, to their list of lifestyle adjustments, doctors at a fertility meeting in Sweden have concluded....More

Get children away from screens and moving: Study

Sharon Lem QMI Agency TORONTO â€" Getting kids away from television and computer screens doesn't guarantee a victory over childhood obesity. They need to get busy, as well....More

Garlic spread contains undeclared milk: CFIA

QMI Agency The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has recalled certain garlic spreads sold in Ontario because they may contain milk that isn't listed on the label....More

EU bans imports, withdraws from market certain Egyptian seeds linked to E. coli outbreak

BRUSSELS - The European Union says it is temporarily banning the import of certain seeds from Egypt after some were linked to a deadly outbreak of the E. coli in Germany and France....More

Despite skeptical medical establishment, more US women pick natural birth at home

NEW YORK, N.Y. - One mother chose home birth because it was cheaper than going to a hospital. Another gave birth at home because she has multiple sclerosis and feared unnecessary medical intervention. And some choose home births after cesarean sections with their first babies....More

Colon cancer death rates continue to drop in every state except Mississippi: CDC

ATLANTA - Colon cancer deaths continue to drop across the U.S. — except in Mississippi, health officials said Tuesday....More

Chief coroner says spike in sudden infant deaths in B.C. alarming

VICTORIA - There have been 21 sudden infant deaths in British Columbia so far this year, and the province's chief coroner is urging parents to use safe sleep practices. Lisa Lapointe said there were 16 sudden infant deaths for all of 2010....More

Massage added to usual care benefits patients with chronic low back pain: study

TORONTO - Massage can make a difference to people with chronic low back pain when it's added to their usual medical treatment, new research indicates....More

Kids with low family income, single parent more likely to walk or bike to school

TORONTO - Few children are meeting guidelines for physical activity in Canada, but walking or riding a bicycle, scooter or skateboard to school could help them get closer to those targets, researchers say....More

Does smoking cessation drug come with heart risks? Opinion is divided

TORONTO - An analysis of studies on smokers taking a popular drug to help them quit finds a higher rate of cardiovascular events in this group than in smokers who were taking a placebo....More

Diet and exercise important, but experts say mindset also key to shedding pounds

HALIFAX - The stark realization came in a Halifax hospital room, where doctors told Belinda Ferguson that her obesity was likely the reason she had suffered a miscarriage....More

Concerns about Niagara hospitals grow as number of C. difficile dead rises to 16

TORONTO - A chorus of concern about the management of a number of hospitals in Ontario's Niagara region is growing amidst an outbreak of Clostridium difficile that's been linked to the deaths of 16 patients....More

Commissioner says Saskatchewan 'bedevilled' by privacy breaches

REGINA - Saskatchewan's privacy commissioner says the province is "bedevilled" by a large number of intrusions into people's personal information....More

C. difficile deaths in Niagara region reach 15 since outbreak declared May 28

WELLAND, Ont. - A C. difficile outbreak that's killed 15 people in Ontario's Niagara region is sparking a protest about the area's health-care system....More

Officials: Tainted Egyptian seeds blamed for E. coli outbreak still on sale in Europe

LONDON - Officials say Egyptian fenugreek seeds blamed for Europe's E. coli outbreak are still on the market and were shipped to more countries than was previously believed, including Austria, Britain and Spain....More

Drinking-fuelled memory blackouts increase likelihood of alcohol-related injuries, study finds

QMI Agency The more drinking-fuelled memory blackouts a student experiences, the greater their risk of sustaining an injury in the future while under the influence of alcohol, a new study has found....More

CFIA recalls sandwich products in Atlantic Canada over Listeria fears

OTTAWA - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and King’s Processing Ltd. of Alberton, PEI, are warning the public not to consume certain sandwich products because they may be contaminated with Listeria....More

US firm gets approval for first-of-a-kind blood thinner in orthopedic surgery patients

WASHINGTON - Johnson & Johnson said Friday that U.S. regulators have approved its new type of blood thinner shown to reduce deadly blood clots in patients who have undergone knee and hip replacements....More

Russia to resume importing vegetables from Denmark, Spain

MOSCOW - Russia's top consumer rights watchdog says the country has lifted a ban on vegetable imports from Spain and Denmark. The agency said Friday that it made the move after analyzing the situation in those countries....More

Ontario voters face clear choice on health care in Oct. 6 election: Matthews

TORONTO - The future of health care is shaping up to be a key battleground in the lead up to the Oct. 6 Ontario election....More

End of combat not the end of battle for soldiers wounded in Afghanistan

VANCOUVER - Bombardier Matt Coles remembers thinking the bullets had missed him. In the frenzied moments after he and his sergeant were sprayed by a volley of accidental fire as they prepared to go out on patrol in Kandahar city, Coles lay in the dust and...More

Proposed scrapping of regional health agencies stirs up Ontario election debate

TORONTO - The fate of regional agencies charged with making local health care decisions will be hanging in the balance this fall when Ontario voters head to the polls....More

Kids with low family income, single parent more likely to walk or bike to school

TORONTO - Few children are meeting guidelines for physical activity in Canada, but walking or riding a bicycle, scooter or skateboard to school could help them get closer to those targets, researchers say....More

Saskatoon Health Region promises patients shorter waits for surgery

SASKATOON - The Saskatoon Health Region hopes that by the end of next year, no one in its jurisdiction who needs surgery will have to wait longer than 12 months for their procedure....More

Registered nurses in Nova Scotia take wage dispute to arbitration

HALIFAX - Registered nurses working for Nova Scotia's Capital District Health Authority have ratified a tentative agreement that takes their wage dispute to arbitration....More

Nova Scotia implements 45 per cent cap on generic prescription drug prices

HALIFAX - A cap on generic drug prices based on the price of their brand name equivalent will be implemented Friday in Nova Scotia, the provincial government said Thursday....More

Nova Scotia and Manitoba seek law firm to file lawsuit against tobacco industry

HALIFAX - Nova Scotia and Manitoba are looking for a law firm to take on a lawsuit they hope to launch against the tobacco industry to recover health care costs....More

Lead poisoning in adults down by more than 50% but still high in 3 states: CDC

ATLANTA - The lead poisoning rate for U.S. adults has fallen by more than half in the last 15 years, but it remains unusually high in Pennsylvania, Missouri and Kansas, federal health officials said Thursday....More

Feds approve controversial MS therapy trials in spite of latest studies

OTTAWA - The federal government will fund a clinical trial of a controversial treatment for multiple sclerosis patients but it could be years before so-called liberation therapy is widely available in Canada....More

Drinking-fuelled memory blackouts increase likelihood of alcohol-related injuries, study finds

QMI Agency The more drinking-fuelled memory blackouts a student experiences, the greater their risk of sustaining an injury in the future while under the influence of alcohol, a new study has found....More

CFIA recalls sandwich products in Atlantic Canada over Listeria fears

OTTAWA - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and King’s Processing Ltd. of Alberton, PEI, are warning the public not to consume certain sandwich products because they may be contaminated with Listeria....More