Mobile medical unit opens in Downtown Eastside to treat overdose victims
CHÉOS Scientist Dr. Eric Grafstein is the co-lead for a new Mobile Medical Unit stationed in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. This 1,100 square foot trailer will allow health care professionals to respond faster to drug overdose victims.
Read more in The Vancouver Courier.
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Canada’s move to ban asbestos a ‘win for public health’ but long overdue: advocates
The Government of Canada recently announced that they would be banning the use of asbestos by 2018. CHÉOS Scientist Dr. Mieke Koehoorn says that the decision, “while long overdue, is a significant and strong regulatory step for the future protection of Canadian workers, and Canadians in general.”
Read more in The Globe and Mail.
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One stop shop for youth mental health needs launched in Kelowna
B.C. Premier Christy Clark celebrated the opening of Foundry Kelowna, an integrated services centre for youth, on December 12.
The centre is part of a province-wide initiative, led by CHÉOS Scientist Dr. Steve Mathias. The project, called the B.C. Integrated Youth Services Initiative, is opening 5 centres across B.C. that will provide low-barrier access to primary care, as well as mental health, substance use, and social supports to youth between the ages of 12 and 24.
Read more in Kelowna Capital News.
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Better chance of CPR in Chinatown and Richmond, UBC study finds
A study by St. Paul’s emergency physicians, including CHÉOS Scientist Dr. Brian Grunau, found that the chance of someone surviving cardiac arrest depends on where the incident takes place. The results indicate that neighbourhoods with a larger proportion of ethnic Chinese residents had a higher percentage of bystanders perform CPR on the victim.
Read more on CBC News.
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Opinion: More research needed in health care for elderly
CHÉOS Scientist Dr. Rita McCracken calls for greater involvement of frail elders in health research, in an op-ed piece published in early November. “Public health professionals must plan for future health issues associated with an aging population and the increase in demand for programs and practices — especially for elders,” said Dr. McCracken.
Read the entire opinion piece in The Vancouver Sun.
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Longtime opioid users motivated by desire to avoid drug withdrawal
CHÉOS Scientist Dr. Christian Schutz explains the chemical changes that occur in opioid users. “That’s another reason why people die,” Schutz said. “When they start using drugs they develop tolerance, so they need more of the substance to have the same effect.”
Read more at 570 News.
