Genome Canada has awarded $9.7 million to a project co-led by researchers at Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) that could change the face of transplant care. The funding will support a groundbreaking study—co-led by Dr. Paul Keown and Dr. Stirling Bryan from University of British Columbia, Dr. Ruth Sapir-Pichhadze from McGill University and Dr. Timothy Caulfield from University of Alberta—that aims to increase kidney transplant success rates by 50 per cent and save around $1-billion in health care costs over the next 15 years.
It is no secret that many Canadians have a hard time finding a family doctor or are on long waitlists to see a paediatrician, obstetrician or gynaecologist. This comes despite the fact that the number of primary care physicians in Canada has been on the rise since 1986—a conundrum that is addressed in a new study led by Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher, Lindsay Hedden.
A new product developed in BC by Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) scientist Dr. Aziz Ghahary may solve the painful health burden of slow healing wounds. These wounds include pressure ulcers (or bedsores), large burns, and diabetic sores. They are very costly to treat. In BC alone, the cost of treating pressure ulcers in spinal cord patients is about $50 million per year. Pressure ulcers come from hours spent immobile in wheelchairs or in bed. Circulation becomes cut off, tissue is destroyed, and the resulting wounds are deep and painful.
Vancouver, BC – For years, researchers have investigated approaches to prevent cancer-causing cells from multiplying in the body. Now, Vancouver Prostate Centre (VPC) scientist Dr. Christopher Ong and colleagues have discovered a critical gene that drives cancer growth. From this discovery, they developed a new protein-based medication that prevents unhealthy cell growth that leads to prostate cancer, and potentially other cancers.
The University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health are testing a possible diabetes cure that replaces a person’s damaged pancreatic cells with new ones grown in the lab.
The replacement cells are grown from embryonic stem cells. Researchers believe that if the new cells mature, multiply, and behave as hoped, recipients would be able to lessen – or even eliminate – their dependence on self-injected insulin. They might also be spared from having to continually monitor their blood sugar, usually by pricking their fingers several times a day.
Dr. Martin Gleave was recently named a member of the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest civilian honours, for his leadership role in developing new treatments for prostate cancer and for his research on the mechanisms involved in the development of treatment resistance in cancer.
After a stroke, prevention of another is key. Prevention starts with a healthy lifestyle, yet many patients lack access to knowledge and experts that can help them make the right healthy living choices. Enter the Stroke Coach—a telehealth program to guide patients towards a healthy recovery and away from bad habits that could increase their risk of another stroke.
A good night’s sleep is increasingly recognized as a key factor in maintaining good health, but many Canadians aren’t getting enough shuteye. When it comes to sleep apnea, a disorder which interrupts breathing and disrupts sleep, experts say we are underestimating the scope of the problem. And that has consequences for everyone.
Public Health clinicians in Richmond are trying to counter a disturbing trend—almost 20 percent of kindergarten age children have visible tooth decay. It’s the highest rate in the Vancouver Coastal Health Region. Given that tooth decay is preventable with attention to healthy eating and good oral hygiene, clinicians wanted to know more about Richmond parents’ beliefs and practices around baby teeth. Christina Salgado, the Manager of Community and Family Health in Richmond, says it’s important to find out, because tooth decay in baby teeth has significant health impacts.
