CDC recommends one-time test for hepatitis C for all baby boomers to check for infection

ATLANTA - All baby boomers should get a one-time blood test to learn if they have the liver-destroying hepatitis C virus, U.S. health officials said Thursday....More

Babylicious crib fringe recalled, Health Canada calls it 'strangulation hazard'

TORONTO - Health Canada has announced a recall of Babylicious-brand crib fringes, saying the products are a strangulation hazard. The fringes attach to the top of crib railings....More

'SuperAgers' in 80s have brains similar to those 20, 30 years younger: study

TORONTO - Prevailing wisdom would suggest that the loss of memory and other cognitive functions is an inevitable part of aging....More

Pure Flavor pre-cut veggie brands recalled over listeria bacteria fears

TORONTO - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning the public not to consume certain Pure Flavor brand pre-cut vegetables because they may be contaminated with listeria bacteria....More

Canadian Medical Association votes to support Ontario doctors in court battle

YELLOWKNIFE - The organization representing Canada's doctors has voiced its support for Ontario colleagues who are in a battle over fee cuts imposed by the provincial government....More

Blood type may signal heart disease risk; A, B, AB blood types linked to higher risk than O

DALLAS - Here's another reason to know your blood type — it might be a clue to your risk of heart disease....More

Alberta government orders striking seniors home workers back to jobs

EDMONTON - The Alberta government imposed binding arbitration Tuesday on striking workers at a seniors home, but denied the move had anything to do with the recent death of a resident....More

Review to examine patient deaths involving Ornge air ambulance service

TORONTO - Ontario's chief coroner is enlisting experts to take another look at deaths involving the province's troubled air ambulance service over the past six years to determine whether Ornge transport may have played a role. Dr....More

Markham resident may be region's first human case of West Nile virus this year

MARKHAM, Ont. - Public health officials in York Region say they're looking into a possible human case of West Nile virus. They say a Markham resident is the region's first "probable" human case of the virus this year....More

Anti-smoking groups ask Ottawa to adopt Australia's logo ban on cigarette packs

TORONTO - Anti-smoking groups are urging Ottawa to follow Australia's lead in barring tobacco companies from displaying their logos on cigarette packs....More

AGING AMERICA: New public service ad campaign provides roadmap for caregivers crying for help

WASHINGTON - A woman grips her car's steering wheel and silently lets out a scream as her frail father, on oxygen, coughs beside her and her kids play around in the back seat....More

Accidental injury rates double among aboriginal kids compared to others: study

TORONTO - A new report says aboriginal children suffer from unintentional injuries serious enough to require hospitalization at twice the rate of other kids in Canada....More

Ontario changes age recommendations for cervical cancer screening

TORONTO - Ontario's cancer prevention authorities are changing the age at which women are recommended to start routine cervical cancer screening. Cancer Care Ontario says women who are sexually active should start regular screening at the age of 21....More

Oakville bylaw bars people under 18 from tanning in salons

OAKVILLE, Ont. - Indoor tanning is now off-limits to minors in Oakville. Councillors passed a new bylaw Monday that bars anyone under 18 from using commercial tanning beds and booths....More

Health Canada reviewing safety of magnetic beads sold as novelty items

TORONTO - Health Canada says it is reviewing the safety of magnetic beads sold as novelty items. The department says the powerful magnets contained in the beads pose a safety risk if accidentally swallowed by children....More

Federal minister orders review of food served at Halifax veterans hospital

HALIFAX - The federal veterans affairs minister wants the quality of food served at a Halifax veterans hospital reviewed following complaints from some residents....More

Couples therapy helps PTSD sufferers, partners, new study suggests

TORONTO - A new Canadian study suggests talk therapy involving couples can make a big difference in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD....More

Canadian Medical Association votes to support Ontario doctors in court battle

YELLOWKNIFE - The organization representing Canada's doctors has voiced its support for Ontario colleagues who are in a battle over fee cuts imposed by the provincial government....More

Blood type may signal heart disease risk; A, B, AB blood types linked to higher risk than O

DALLAS - Here's another reason to know your blood type — it might be a clue to your risk of heart disease....More

Alberta government orders striking seniors home workers back to jobs

EDMONTON - The Alberta government imposed binding arbitration Tuesday on striking workers at a seniors home, but denied the move had anything to do with the recent death of a resident....More

Strict school junk food laws may help curb kids' obesity, but study results aren't a slam-dunk

CHICAGO - Laws strictly curbing school sales of junk food and sweetened drinks may play a role in slowing childhood obesity, according to a study that seems to offer the first evidence such efforts could pay off....More

Public pools help with summer swelter, but swimmers should beware of infections

TORONTO - Growing up as a competitive swimmer in Halifax, Leslie Oland came home from the pool one day to find an unpleasant surprise. A number of itchy bumps had broken out on her armpit....More

Ottawa has role in health care, but provinces set own priorities: Aglukkaq

YELLOWKNIFE - Most Canadians say health care should be Ottawa's top priority and the federal government should play a leading role in protecting and strengthening the system, a poll conducted on behalf of the Canadian Medical Association suggests....More

Low-income Ontarians with diabetes have higher risk of dying, study finds

TORONTO - A new study suggests that low-income Ontarians with diabetes have a 51 per cent higher risk of dying than their wealthier counterparts. Research from the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences and St....More

Highest obesity rates in Southern, Midwestern states; Colorado has fewest obese, survey shows

ATLANTA - A new government survey shows 12 states now have very high obesity rates. Overall, more than a third of adults are obese but rates vary by state. The latest figures are based on a 2011 telephone survey that asked adults their height and weight....More

Health Canada reports 3 dead, 9 injured in hospital bed entrapments since 2009

OTTAWA - The risk of infections, medical malpractices and a lack of beds are common concerns for patients in health-care facilities across the country, but new data shows that outdated or misused hospital beds can also cause fatal injuries to hospitalized Canadians....More

eHealth CEO Greg Reed returns $81,250 bonus after opposition parties cry foul

TORONTO - The man put in charge of eHealth Ontario following a spending scandal is returning a hefty bonus after coming under fire from opposition parties....More

Commonly prescribed antibiotic can cause severe liver injury: study

TORONTO - A commonly prescribed antibiotic appears to increase the risk of severe liver damage in some older patients, researchers say....More

No charges against doctor after patient health files found in Regina Dumpster

REGINA - Saskatchewan's justice minister says legislation designed to protect patient privacy is flawed, and he says the fact the Crown was unable to charge a doctor after private patient files were found in a trash bin demonstrates it....More

Negotiations to resume Sunday in Nova Scotia homecare contract dispute: union

HALIFAX - With a strike deadline looming, last ditch talks will begin this weekend in the contract dispute involving hundreds of workers employed by Northwood Homecare in the Halifax area....More

Canadian politician adopts US style approach on personal health information

TORONTO - Is a trip to the hospital a matter for private reflection or the public spotlight? When it comes to Canadian politicians, it's anyone's guess....More

Kids pick nutritional Happy Meal when no toy offered with less healthy option: study

TORONTO - Children are far more likely to pick a healthier fast-food meal when promotional toys are offered only with those menu options and not with less nutritional fare like burgers, fries and a pop, a study has found....More

eHealth CEO Greg Reed takes $81,250 bonus while staff sue for theirs

TORONTO - The man brought in to lead eHealth Ontario following a scandal that rocked the Liberal government will get a bonus of about 25 per cent on top of his $329,000 salary this year, while staff at the agency have turned to the courts to get back the bonuses they were...More

Workers still on job as talks continue in Nova Scotia homecare contract dispute

HALIFAX - Hundreds of personal care workers are still on the job today as talks in a contract dispute in the Halifax area continue....More

Strict school junk food laws may help curb kids' obesity, but study results aren't a slam-dunk

CHICAGO - Laws strictly curbing school sales of junk food and sweetened drinks may play a role in slowing childhood obesity, according to a study that seems to offer the first evidence such efforts could pay off....More

Public pools help with summer swelter, but swimmers should beware of infections

TORONTO - Growing up as a competitive swimmer in Halifax, Leslie Oland came home from the pool one day to find an unpleasant surprise. A number of itchy bumps had broken out on her armpit....More

Alberta reviews expense policies while Wildrose calls for head of health minister

EDMONTON - Alberta says it is reviewing its government expense and hiring policies after two senior health executives quit over lavish claims worth $346,000....More

Website aims to help pregnant smokers kick habit with information, peer support

TORONTO - Women smokers who are pregnant or planning to conceive can now get help to butt out through a website that emphasizes support instead of guilt or shame....More

New Brunswick health-care strategy will focus on patients, says minister

FREDERICTON - The New Brunswick government will study the health-care needs of communities and create an electronic medical records system as part of ongoing efforts aimed at improving patient care....More

Hundreds of Nova Scotia home-care workers preparing to walk off the job

HALIFAX - Some 400 home-support workers in Nova Scotia could walk off the job as early as Monday after rejecting a contract offer from their employer. The workers at Northwood Homecare are members of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union....More

Extremeheat.ca website to help public, health providers deal with heat waves

HAMILTON - Canadians now have a website aimed at better preparing them to deal with heat waves....More

CDC: 158 cases of new swine flu strain that spreads from pigs, linked to state fairs

ATLANTA - Don't pet the pigs. That's the message state and county fair visitors got Thursday from health officials who reported a five-fold increase of cases of a new strain of swine flu that spreads from pigs to people....More

CDC advises doctors to give HIV prevention pill Truvada to at-risk women, heterosexual men too

ATLANTA - U.S. health officials said Thursday that doctors should consider giving an AIDS prevention pill to women and heterosexual men who are at high risk for getting the virus....More

Alberta health minister makes unexpected visit to dementia care centre

CARMANGAY, Alta. - A dementia care centre that is scheduled to be closed in a southern Alberta community received a surprise visitor this week. Workers at the Little Bow Continuing Care Centre in Carmangay, Alta....More

Saskatchewan to pay for expensive treatment for little girl with rare disease

REGINA - The Saskatchewan government has agreed to pay for treatment for a three-year-old girl with a rare disease. Violet Revet of Langenburg is one of only nine people in Canada who has Mucopolysaccharidosis VI....More

Overtreating chest pain is in the spotlight as investigators probe procedures at HCA hospitals

CHICAGO - An investigation into one of the nation's biggest hospital chains is refocusing attention on concerns about overtreatment for chest pain. Many doctors are unclogging arteries to treat the pain, providing quick relief....More

Ottawa-area water park admits chlorine gas sent 13 kids to hospital

OTTAWA - An water park east of Ottawa says a filtration error is behind the release of chlorine gas that sent 13 children to hospital....More

Correction: Heart Treatment story

CHICAGO - In an Aug. 7 story about concerns about the overtreatment of patient chest pain, The Associated Press erroneously reported the number of angioplasties performed annually in the U.S. The procedure is done about 700,000 times each year, not about 7 million times....More

Bigger BMI better? Stress alters men's notion of female attractiveness: study

TORONTO - Many men might say they're most attracted to women who are svelte, icons of that so-called feminine ideal portrayed in magazines and other media....More

Alberta reviews expense policies while Wildrose calls for head of health minister

EDMONTON - Alberta says it is reviewing its government expense and hiring policies after two senior health executives quit over lavish claims worth $346,000....More

New Brunswick health-care strategy will focus on patients, says minister

FREDERICTON - The New Brunswick government will study the health-care needs of communities and create an electronic medical records system as part of ongoing efforts aimed at improving patient care....More

Hundreds of Nova Scotia home-care workers preparing to walk off the job

HALIFAX - Some 400 home-support workers in Nova Scotia could walk off the job as early as Monday after rejecting a contract offer from their employer. The workers at Northwood Homecare are members of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union....More

Alberta health official who billed for Mercedes repair won't get severance

EDMONTON - A senior health official in Alberta who stepped down last week over questionable expenses won't be receiving severance....More

'Debilitating' pain can last months, years after shingles rash fades: experts

TORONTO - Days after the first blisters bloomed on his cheek, the burning rash had swollen the left side of Lorne Barsky's face, forcing his eye shut and sending the 70-year-old into "a panic....More

Teens and zzzs: Inadequate sleep can impact performance in the classroom

Teenagers who fail to get enough sleep could find there's a trickle-down effect from the bedroom into the classroom....More

Sleep patterns: Bedtime routine key in prepping kids for school return

TORONTO - When her 12-year-old son returned from overnight camp earlier this summer, Ariana Birnbaum didn't wait long to re-establish his sleep schedule....More

Overtreating chest pain is in the spotlight as investigators probe procedures at HCA hospitals

CHICAGO - An investigation into one of the nation's biggest hospital chains is refocusing attention on concerns about overtreatment for chest pain. Many doctors are unclogging arteries to treat the pain, providing quick relief....More

Kids sent home from hospital after suspected chlorine leak at Ottawa water park

OTTAWA - All but one of 13 children who were taken to hospital following a suspected chlorine leak at a water park east of Ottawa on Tuesday have been sent home, a hospital spokeswoman says....More

Fewer U.S. kids with high cholesterol, even as obesity holds steady: study

ATLANTA - Finally some good news about cholesterol and kids: A big government study shows that in the past decade, the proportion of children who have high cholesterol has fallen. The results are surprising, given that the childhood obesity rate didn't budge....More

13 children hospitalized in suspected chlorine leak at Ottawa-area water park

OTTAWA - At least 13 children have been taken to hospital following an apparent chlorine leak at a water park east of Ottawa. Paramedics say 14 children who were at the Calypso Water Park in Limoges, Ont....More

Spice Kingdom Egyptian basil recalled due to possible Salmonella contamination

OTTAWA - A recall order has been issued for Spice Kingdom brand dried Egyptian Basil due to possible Salmonella contamination. The affected product, bearing Lot No....More

Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador moves closer to smoking ban

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador is one step closer to a complete smoking ban after reducing the number of campus smoking areas to two. A news release says there is now only one designated smoking area at the St....More

Vets ask for audit of food amidst complaints about quality of meals at hospital

HALIFAX - Some elderly residents of a veterans hospital in Halifax are asking that someone take a closer look at the food they're being served, claiming it is bland, overcooked, hard to eat and low on nutritional value....More

Newspaper accounts of 1862 small pox epidemic show racism that led to devastation

Newspaper accounts of the 1862 small pox epidemic in the British colony that would become British Columbia: March 18, 1862: The British Colonist newspaper confirmed rumours circulating for days that small pox has made its way north from San Francisco to the...More

Nova Scotia midwifery has taken baby steps, but more progress needed: critics

HALIFAX - Shannon MacDonald wanted her baby to be born at home in the Cape Breton Highlands. But she delivered her child in Ottawa instead over what she says is Nova Scotia's lack of progress on midwifery....More

B.C. First Nations mourn small pox epidemic that devastated colony a century ago

There are only red marks on a rock, pictographs drawn by long-ago hands that would have fished and built houses and held babies on the banks of the Fraser River....More

Alberta health official who billed for Mercedes repair won't get severance

EDMONTON - A senior health official in Alberta who stepped down last week over questionable expenses won't be receiving severance....More

'Debilitating' pain can last months, years after shingles rash fades: experts

TORONTO - Days after the first blisters bloomed on his cheek, the burning rash had swollen the left side of Lorne Barsky's face, forcing his eye shut and sending the 70-year-old into "a panic....More

CDC: If you're going to the fair, take precautions against new swine flu

ATLANTA - It's the season for state and county fairs, and health officials are reminding fairgoers to be careful around pigs because of a new flu spreading from the animals to people....More

Spice Kingdom Egyptian basil recalled due to possible Salmonella contamination

OTTAWA - A recall order has been issued for Spice Kingdom brand dried Egyptian Basil due to possible Salmonella contamination. The affected product, bearing Lot No....More

Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador moves closer to smoking ban

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador is one step closer to a complete smoking ban after reducing the number of campus smoking areas to two. A news release says there is now only one designated smoking area at the St....More

Vets ask for audit of food amidst complaints about quality of meals at hospital

HALIFAX - Some elderly residents of a veterans hospital in Halifax are asking that someone take a closer look at the food they're being served, claiming it is bland, overcooked, hard to eat and low on nutritional value....More

Newspaper accounts of 1862 small pox epidemic show racism that led to devastation

Newspaper accounts of the 1862 small pox epidemic in the British colony that would become British Columbia: March 18, 1862: The British Colonist newspaper confirmed rumours circulating for days that small pox has made its way north from San Francisco to the...More

Nova Scotia midwifery has taken baby steps, but more progress needed: critics

HALIFAX - Shannon MacDonald wanted her baby to be born at home in the Cape Breton Highlands. But she delivered her child in Ottawa instead over what she says is Nova Scotia's lack of progress on midwifery....More

B.C. First Nations mourn small pox epidemic that devastated colony a century ago

There are only red marks on a rock, pictographs drawn by long-ago hands that would have fished and built houses and held babies on the banks of the Fraser River....More

'Debilitating' pain can last months, years after shingles rash fades: experts

TORONTO - Days after the first blisters bloomed on his cheek, the burning rash had swollen the left side of Lorne Barsky's face, forcing his eye shut and sending the 70-year-old into "a panic....More

Apps help patients avoid hours of waiting in ERs and walk-in clinics

TORONTO - Patients across Canada are increasingly turning to websites and apps to get a better sense of the wait times they face at walk-in clinics and hospitals. Appletree Medical Group Inc....More

Two people in Toronto may be first West Nile virus cases this year: officials

TORONTO - Toronto public health officials say two people in the city may have West Nile virus. They say an 80-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman are the first two "probable" human cases in the city so far this year....More

Quebec man on suicide-awareness trek dies of apparent heart attack

THETFORD MINES, Que. - A Quebecer who was on a long-distance trek to raise awareness about suicide has died of apparent heart failure before being able to complete his tour....More

Peeling Ornge: more questions, few answers about air ambulance scandal

TORONTO - An all-party probe into Ontario's Ornge scandal wrapped up its work Thursday, still reeling from explosive testimony about an alleged kickback scheme, exorbitant salaries and what one member called "heavy-duty nepotism" at the troubled air ambulance service....More

Nix support groups: Men find other ways to cope with partner's breast cancer

TORONTO - They have to be among the four most dreaded words a man can hear from his wife or intimate partner: "I've got breast cancer....More

Gov't report: No clear way for IRS to block Medicaid payments to providers who cheat on taxes

WASHINGTON - Thousands of Medicaid health care service providers still got paid by the government even though they owed hundreds of millions of dollars in federal taxes, congressional investigators say. A legal technicality is making it harder for the IRS to collect....More

Former Liberal party president lobbied while working for Ornge: watchdog

TORONTO - Ontario's integrity commissioner says former Liberal party president Alfred Apps engaged in unregistered lobbying activities on behalf of Ontario's troubled air ambulance service, Ornge....More

Apps and Ornge: watchdog says ex-Liberal president did unregistered lobbying

TORONTO - Former federal Liberal party president Alfred Apps engaged in unregistered lobbying on behalf of Ontario's troubled air ambulance service, the province's integrity commissioner said Thursday....More

Ornge paid millions in unnecessary fees to helicopter firm: ex-chairman

TORONTO - Top executives of Ontario's publicly funded air ambulance service appear to have paid millions in extra fees to an Italian helicopter firm, Ornge's former chairman testified Wednesday....More

Not unusual for public agencies like Ornge to set up for-profits: ex-bureaucrat

TORONTO - Two former senior bureaucrats in Ontario's health ministry say they have no idea what went wrong at Ornge, adding their voices to a chorus of government officials hard-pressed to pinpoint how the air ambulance service got so out of hand....More

Former top bureaucrats say they don't know what went wrong at Ornge

TORONTO - Two former senior bureaucrats in Ontario's health ministry say they have no idea what went wrong at Ornge, adding their voices to a chorus of government officials hard-pressed to pinpoint how the air ambulance service got so out of hand....More

Ex-Ornge CEO demanded payments for services he never provided: chairman

TORONTO - Ousted Ornge CEO Chris Mazza had a hand in his $1.4-million compensation package, contrary to what he told a legislative committee, the former chairman of the Ontario's troubled air ambulance service said Wednesday....More

CDC: More human cases of West Nile virus reported so far than any year since '04; Texas leads

ATLANTA - More serious illnesses from West Nile virus have been reported so far this year than any since 2004, health officials said Wednesday. Through the end of July, 241 human cases have been reported in 22 states, including four deaths....More

Caffeine may help Parkinson's patients move with greater ease: study

TORONTO - Drinking coffee may help people with Parkinson's disease to move with greater ease, although getting steady jolts of caffeine doesn't appear to alleviate the daytime sleepiness that affects certain patients, a study suggests....More

Apps help patients avoid hours of waiting in ERs and walk-in clinics

TORONTO - Patients across Canada are increasingly turning to websites and apps to get a better sense of the wait times they face at walk-in clinics and hospitals. Appletree Medical Group Inc....More

Gov't report: No clear way for IRS to block Medicaid payments to providers who cheat on taxes

WASHINGTON - Thousands of Medicaid health care service providers still got paid by the government even though they owed hundreds of millions of dollars in federal taxes, congressional investigators say. A legal technicality is making it harder for the IRS to collect....More

News Summary: Explosion in gluten-free foods has some wondering whether fad is in full force

THE NEWS: Gluten-free products are flying off grocery shelves as cases of the once rare celiac disease increase, but some estimate that more than half of consumers buying the products don't react to gluten....More

More Americans have gluten problems than once thought; but for others, it's just a food fad

ATLANTA - It sounds like an unfolding epidemic: A decade ago, virtually no one in the U.S. seemed to have a problem eating gluten in bread and other foods. Now, millions do....More

Health minister in hot seat again over Ornge air ambulance service

TORONTO - Health Minister Deb Matthews will be in the hot seat today to answer more questions about Ontario's troubled air ambulance service....More

Health Canada probes osteoporosis drug over worry it could cause cancer

OTTAWA - Health Canada is investigating whether long-term use of a drug used to treat osteoporosis and two other calcium-related conditions increases the risk of cancer....More

Facing foot pain: Right shoes, insoles, exercises may help to ease discomfort

TORONTO - The orthopedic surgeon pressed his thumb into her heel — and Bev Greenwood saw stars. Greenwood had spent the latter half of her 40-year nursing career at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton in orthopedics....More

Ex-Ornge CEO Chris Mazza's defence 'pure nonsense': health minister

TORONTO - Ousted Ornge CEO Chris Mazza spun a tale of pure fiction when he claimed he would have changed course at Ontario's troubled air ambulance service if the government asked him to, Health Minister Deb Matthews charged Tuesday....More

Dementia care centre in southern Alberta victim of age: province

EDMONTON - Health officials say while the closure of a dementia care centre in a southern Alberta community is regrettable, but the building is simply too old and underused....More

Brand of British booze recalled in Manitoba over glass contamination

WINNIPEG - The Manitoba Liquor Control Commission says it is voluntarily recalling a brand of British booze after finding it contaminated with glass fragments....More