Slick or snowy surfaces can be a significant barrier to outdoor recreation for the more than 22 per cent of Canadians over 15 years of age — about 6.2 million individuals — living with one or more disabilities. Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher Dr. Ben Mortenson explains how upgraded infrastructure and better access to specialized equipment could greatly enhance their lives.
Lorna Smith knows that she is one of the lucky ones who experience very little pain directly following breast cancer treatment. Now in her 60s, Smith was diagnosed in early 2022 with the all-too-common disease that affects around 29,000 Canadians.
“I was startled by the diagnosis because I do not have a history of cancer in my family,” recalls Smith. “At the time, I did not feel immense fear, as I believed that the medical system had the tools to deal with it.”
The Centre for Hip Health and Mobility (CHHM) has partnered with the Rehabilitation Research Program (RRP) at GF Strong to form the Centre for Aging SMART (Solutions for Mobility, Activity, Rehabilitation and Technology) at Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH). Centre researchers and clinician-scientists are world leaders in aging and rehabilitation who are changing the lives of aging Canadians.
Every year on March 8, we take time to recognize International Women’s Day, a global event dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women around the world and raising awareness for gender equality.
When Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin fell to the ground after a tackle during an NFL football game, it seemed inconceivable that the athletic 24-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest. Hamlin is one of around 400,000 North Americans affected by cardiac arrests that happen outside of a hospital setting each year. While Hamlin later received treatment for his condition and recovered, too many others do not survive.
Researchers have discovered that a peer-to-peer diabetes mentorship program yielded positive health outcomes for peer leaders. Published in the Canadian Journal of Diabetes, the first North American study of its kind provides a compelling case for further integration of relatively low-cost peer support into diabetes care.
