Before his diagnosis, Dan Smith was an active walker and snowbird, often traveling with his wife overseas. Then, 10 years ago, he started having trouble breathing. “I ended up in the hospital, which is when I was told that I have severe COPD,” recalls the 77-year-old.

Losing hair can be a stressful experience for people, and traditional diagnostic assessments often require a time-consuming process of counting individual hairs. New technology spearheaded by Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) researcher Dr. Tim Lee automated the hair counting process to increase the accuracy and timeliness of diagnoses.

Prostate cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer in Canada—around 20,000 Canadian men were diagnosed with the condition in 2020. Most diagnoses occur among men over the age of 50. While symptoms of prostate cancer can be difficult to detect, our Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute expert, Dr. Michael Cox, outlines essential insights all men should bear in mind as they age.

Navigating the world with a mobility aid can be a challenging prospect for many people with physical disabilities. According to the findings of a study led by Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher, Dr. Ben Mortenson, use of mobility devices may be associated with mental distress, particularly when confidence using them is low. 

Timely access to the best possible care may seem out of reach for individuals who face such things as language, cultural and mobility barriers. Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute expert, Dr. Iraj Poureslami, unpacks the essential role health literacy can play in providing care that meets the needs of all Canadians.