Public health

Apple puts accessibility features front and center

Although the meat of Apple’s accessibility news from WWDC has been covered, there still are other items announced that have relevancy to accessibility as well. Here, then, are some thoughts on Apple’s less-headlining … READ MORE

100% Orthotics coverage for Registered First Nations and Inuit

As a registered orthotic provider with Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB), Braceworks bills the NIHB Program directly. The Indigenous Health Program supports practices with ties to Indigenous culture and tradition, including midwifery … READ MORE

Once its greatest foes, doctors are embracing single-payer

When the American Medical Association — one of the nation’s most powerful health care groups — met in Chicago this June, its medical student caucus seized an opportunity for change. Doctors for the 99 Percent march from Zuccotti … READ MORE

Wheelchair users sue Atlanta, alleging sidewalk access violations

On June 11, Atlanta became the latest major U.S. city to be sued for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act due to lack of access to public sidewalks. The lawsuit follows recent settlements over similar issues in Los … READ MORE

New wheelchair-friendly public buses connect Banff and Lake Louise

‘Everybody should be able to get around Banff National Park,’ says chair of regional transit service. Roam Public Transit has introduced four new accessible buses for travel on the Lake Louise Express route, Route 8X, … READ MORE

Transitions: Helping kids make the leap to adult care

In healthcare, transition refers to planning for and making the move from child to adult services. When the process isn’t managed well, young adults can fall into gaps in care and declining function, health, and quality of life. … READ MORE

Advocates push for greater airline accessibility

A lawsuit is seeking to force the nation’s airlines to make big changes in order to better accommodate travelers with disabilities. This is what it’s like to travel with a disability in the United States. American Airlines 737 … READ MORE

Death by 1,000 clicks: where electronic health records went wrong

Inside a digital revolution that took a bad turn. The U.S. government claimed that turning American medical charts into electronic records would make health care better, safer, and cheaper. Ten years and $36 billion later, the system … READ MORE

Empathetic technology: can devices know what you’re feeling?

For some, the word “technology” might evoke cold imagery of steely robots and complex computer algorithms. But a talk on “empathetic technology” at this year’s Wired Health conference did a lot to change … READ MORE

Disabled Calgarians ask why Calgary Transit Access doesn’t ‘treat us with respect’

Nearly 300 complaints made to transportation service each year, related to no shows, late pick ups. A passenger waits to begin her trip on a Calgary Transit Access bus on March 6, 2019. The agency says about 30 per cent of the nearly … READ MORE

Apple to offer veterans access to medical records on iPhone

The Wall Street Journal reports today that Apple is in talks with the Department of Veterans Affairs to offer electronic health record access to military veterans. This comes as Apple continues its push into the health industry with … READ MORE

Crucial for health system, many caregivers are struggling financially and emotionally

Caregivers are ‘glue that keeps the health-care system together,’ foundation says Stephane Alexis embraces his brother Torence, left, as they are photographed in their family home near Ottawa. Stephane helps provide care … READ MORE

How does helping people affect your brain?

Study shows neurobiological effects of providing support to others. Both younger and older participants in the Intergenerational Care Project have expressed excitement and joy at being able to interact with each other. Griffith … READ MORE

TELUS Health and Babylon to bring advanced digital health tech to Canada

Canadians will have more options for accessing quality care and communicating efficiently with healthcare professionals no matter where they are located. Babylon Health TELUS Health, a Canadian organization committed to driving … READ MORE

Orthopaedic surgeons on the common knee procedure that may cause more harm than good

Nearly half of Canadians aged 65 and over experience osteoarthritis in their knees. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of bones wears down over time leading to … READ MORE

Walking frame could keep older adults active

A robotic walking frame that could help older people recover more quickly after a fall or injury, reducing the length of time they need to stay in hospital, is being developed in partnership with researchers at Northumbria University, … READ MORE

Doctors say British military electronic health record system places service personnel at risk

Problems are negligible, says Ministry of Defence. British Armed Forces doctors are frustrated and concerned over the operational failings of the £80 million decade-old Defence Medical Information Capability Programme (DMICP) … READ MORE

Alberta law to allow unwed parents to share financial burden of disabled adult children

The proposed legislation would allow parents to apply for financial support from ex-partners. Christina Ryan reads to her daughter, Emily, who is 18 but still requires constant care due to her Down syndrome and several other medical … READ MORE

How to improve health care in Canada

Expanding public funding for cost-effective treatments, investing in primary care, embracing technology and engaging patients are some of the ways Canada can improve the quality of health care, according to an analysis in CMAJ … READ MORE

AISH, income support, seniors benefits indexed to cost of living under new bill

Increases to benefits for Albertans in need coming January 1, 2019. Premier Rachel Notley and Community and Social Services Minister Irfan Sabir announced increases to AISH, seniors’ benefits and income support in Edmonton … READ MORE

Wearable sensors help prevent falls

Motion sensors on the wrist evaluate the risk of falling for elderly people in everyday life – Basis for better preventative measures. Fall prevention is an important issue in the health care of the elderly. Markus Breig, KIT Sarah … READ MORE

Viewpoint: FDA regulation of mobile medical apps

Mobile apps are increasingly used in health care to promote wellness, treat and diagnose disease, aid clinical decision-making, and manage patient care in hospitals and homes. Alivecor is one of thousands of new mobile health apps. It … READ MORE

Campaign raises orthotics safety concerns

Some providers unqualified and undertrained, local lab says. Orthotic resident Thomas McManus, left, certified orthotist Karen Bohm and certified orthotist and prosthetist Marc Tessier hold a variety of custom-made orthotics. Tessier … READ MORE

We now have a voice: Alberta appoints advocate for people with disabilities

The office, led by para-athlete Tony Flores, will officially open in mid-November. Tony Flores, centre, has been appointed as the Alberta government’s first advocate for persons with disabilities. Government of Alberta CBC News … READ MORE

Jason DaSilva’s “The Disability Trap” is beautiful and infuriating

The acclaimed documentary filmmaker and New Mobility’s 2014 Person of the Year, Jason DaSilva, just released a powerful new documentary in collaboration with The New York Times. Jason DaSilva on Vimeo By Seth McBride, New Mobility … READ MORE

Did Canada break a promise to its disabled citizens?

Despite their differing approaches, both Canada and the U.S. face challenges in keeping their promise to improve the economic wellbeing of their disabled citizens. Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities Carla Qualtrough rises … READ MORE

New study contradicts notion that electronic health records are driving doctors to quit

Prominent journalists including the late Pulitzer Prize-winner Charles Krauthammer, have written that doctors are leaving the practice of medicine because adopting and using electronic health records (EHRs) is frustrating and … READ MORE

AHS failed to protect health information, privacy commissioner finds

Former Alberta Hospital Edmonton employee looked at private information of nearly 13,000 people. Alberta Health Services failed to ensure an employee of Alberta Hospital Edmonton knew about and followed safeguards to protect health … READ MORE

Millions of patients denied use of a wheelchair

Research by the British Red Cross suggests 4 million people miss out due to UK-wide shortages. Everybody desires a degree of independence. Jamie Hale Denis Campbell, The Guardian 27 July 2018 More than 4 million people a year have … READ MORE

Tomorrow’s doctors must be engineers too

The medical profession is changing, and so must medical education. When King Li went to medical school 40 years ago, he sometimes felt like he was trying to memorize the human body. “I’d see these curves in the textbook, and have … READ MORE

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