Ontario's health depends on Better Care Faster

TORONTO, September 14, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Better Care Faster, a public awareness campaign launched today by a coalition of concerned health care professionals, patient and advocacy groups, health charities and research-based pharmaceutical companies, calls on all Ontarians to work together to develop solutions aimed at improving Ontario's health care system.

"The population of Ontario is rapidly growing, and the health care needs of our aging citizens are putting an increased demand on our system resources. While we have made significant progress to improve many aspects of our health care system, there remains much more to be done," said Dr. Stewart Kennedy, President of the Ontario Medical Association. "Now is the time to come together to develop collaborative solutions for the continued improvement of our health care system."

As Ontario's population continues to grow and age, Ontario's health care system faces enormous demands for care that will burden the system beyond its current capacity. Ontario's population will grow by almost 35 per cent by 2036,1 and in 10 years almost one in five Ontarians will be over 65, an increase of over 37 per cent since 2005.2 Furthermore, almost 80 per cent of Ontarians over 45 currently have a chronic condition3. The incidence of conditions such as cancer, diabetes, lung disease and dementia will continue to rise as the population ages, putting greater pressure on health care resources.

"As the incidence of chronic disease continues to rise, ensuring Ontarians have timely access to the right care at the right time becomes increasingly important," said Russell Williams, President of Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D). "One element of this campaign is working together to ensure that innovative medicines are made available to people of Ontario who need them most."

The Better Care Faster campaign is a starting point—a place to begin working together to find and implement solutions for our health care system to be ready for the needs of Ontario's growing and aging population in the future. These will include solutions that put innovation to work faster, prevent and manage chronic disease, ensure that patients have access to the medicines they need to manage their health and well-being, and ensure that Ontarians get released from hospital and into the right level of care in their communities sooner.

"Over the past several years we've seen many solutions implemented to address the health needs of Ontarians. However, new information and technology is ever evolving, and so must our efforts to improve the health care system," said George Habib, President and CEO, Ontario Lung Association. "This is why the dialogue sparked by Better Care Faster is so important- to raise pressing health care issues and provide a place to share ideas and information. We welcome all concerned individuals and organizations to join us in developing solutions."

The campaign is brought to the Ontario public by a partnership of concerned organizations including: Arthritis Society, Asthma Society of Canada, CARP, Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders, Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D), Institute for Optimizing Health Outcomes, Ontario College of Family Physicians, Ontario Lung Association, Ontario Medical Association, Ontario Pharmacists' Association and Nurse Practitioners' Association of Ontario.

Join the conversation. Visit bettercarefaster.ca to share your concerns, have your voice heard and discuss solutions for the improvement of our health care system.

Online Party of Canada - A Call for Action

TORONTO, September 13, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Canadians are quite literate politically and eager to express their opinions whenever they have a chance, in scientific or ad-hoc polls. Many newspapers, TV stations ask their audience to vote or comment on various topics. But what happens with the results? Sadly, the polls get archived and their results largely dismissed by our politicians.

Online Party of Canada (OPC) proposes a political system based on voting on issues instead of parties or individuals, voters can express their opinions and educate themselves on each issue that never expire, suggest new issues, vote and have their vote counted. This is the foundation of a new, truly democratic political system designed to empower the people by legally forcing the elected officials to respect voters' will.

Canada's current political system is broken, and here's why. As of May this year, we have a 'majority' Conservative government that was elected by only 24% of voters. The Government stance on many major issues is opposite to what the voters want and goes unchallenged despite public outcry and opinion polls. The government moved to eliminate political subsidies leaving the rich donors to decide who's in power. Many journalists haven't heard of Elections Canada's shady Advisory Committee of 19 political parties where one party can veto any improvements of the electoral process. The current political system has brought us election irregularities, the 'Americanization' of our military, outrageous spending, enormous national debt, unemployment, grave social problems and many other issues. With the opposition parties in total disarray and a surprisingly tame National media, Canadians have never been so misrepresented.

Let's change this political system we all loathe! OPC's 'Call for Action' invites all politically-inclined Canadians, regardless their political stripe to read, comment, vote on hundreds of issues posted on our website and share the issues via Social Networks. We have opened hundreds of new positions at Federal and Local levels in all Electoral Districts; sign-up to become an OPC Candidate or Local Party Officer!

48% of Canadians adults could have difficulty reading this sentence

Limited literacy impacts the lives of an estimated 12-million Canadians

MONTREAL, September 8, 2011 /Canada NewsWire Telbec/ - Four out of 10 adult Canadians, aged 16 to 65 or about 12 million Canadians, struggle with limited literacy. Poor literacy skills can lead to a lifetime of economic, social and health insecurities for individuals and their children.

Today is International Literacy Day. The Montreal Children's Hospital along with The Centre for Literacy are highlighting the continuing challenge of literacy in Canada and the link between limited literacy and poor health.

As well, with the help of Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Robert Thirsk, the hospital and The Centre are also paying tribute to iconic Canadian writer and literacy advocate Roch Carrier, author of The Hockey Sweater, by naming the hospital's reading corner in Mr. Carrier's honour.

Literacy and health

Studies show 60 percent of the Canadian population struggles with literacy in the context of health. That is, they cannot identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate, compute and use printed and written materials to manage their own health care or that of their children. In Quebec, the statistics are even higher. People with poor literacy have trouble finding and understanding health and safety information, are more likely to develop chronic illnesses such as diabetes and asthma and are less likely to receive regular health services.

Daily reading has been identified as the single most important factor in improving health literacy.

"It is important that health care professionals address literacy in their practice given that parents take advice from health care professionals seriously," says Jan Lariviere, MCH nurse and literacy advocate. "The Children's along with The Centre for Literacy are working to promote literacy and engage families in reading through Lire/Imagine/Read, a program that helps health care providers integrate literacy into pediatric practice."

Lire/Imagine/Read gives a book to children aged 0 to 5 years old in their mother tongue at select clinics. Parents are given a bookmark and information on the importance of reading for child development. They are encouraged to visit local libraries and or bookstores to continue the habit of reading to their children. The program has volunteers reading to children in waiting areas.

"Even if parents are unable to read well, we encourage them to go through a book with their young child and make up a story to match the pictures. This simple gesture will help lead their child to read and appreciate books," says Linda Shohet, Executive Director of The Centre for Literacy.

Honouring Roch Carrier

To mark International Literacy Day, The Montreal Children's Hospital and The Centre for Literacy are joined by Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Robert Thirsk to dedicate the hospital's reading corner in honour of Roch Carrier.

The Roch Carrier Coin de lecture/ Reading Corner is located on 2B, the hospital's clinic area where over 125,000 children per year come for their doctor's appointments.

"We are delighted to rename our little reading corner after Roch Carrier," says Ms. Lariviere. "Mr. Carrier is an international advocate for literacy and has been a friend and supporter of Lire/Imagine/Read. He has read to children in the hospital and spoken with health professionals about the importance of reading and literacy to health and wellness."

Astronaut Robert Thirsk adds a wider perspective to the dedication. During his 2009 six-month expedition aboard the International Space Station (ISS) Dr. Thirsk brought along a copy of Roch Carrier's book The Hockey Sweater. Dr. Thirsk said he chose the book because it is a family favourite and he believes that reading is an important educational foundation.

During a recent interview, Dr. Thirsk said bringing The Hockey Sweater into space was a no brainer. He fell in love with the story as an adolescent, and introduced it to his three children when they were old enough.

Reading is an important part of his family's, and of his everyday life as well, Thirsk said.

"Astronaut training is a little like drinking from a fire hose," he said, meaning there is a lot of information to take in over a short period of time. "We can't do our job if we don't have reading skills," he said.

Background on Dr. Robert Thirsk from the Canadian Space Agency:

In 2009, Robert Thirsk became the first Canadian astronaut to fly a long-duration expedition aboard the International Space Station (ISS). He and two crewmates launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on May 27 aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. When their Soyuz vehicle docked with the nearly complete Station two days later, the ISS became home for the first time to a permanent crew of six.

As members of the ISS Expedition 20/21 crew, Bob and his five international crewmates performed an unprecedented amount of multidisciplinary research, complex robotic operations, and maintenance and repair work of Station systems and payloads. Following the undocking of his Soyuz spacecraft from the Station and landing back in Kazakhstan on December 1, Robert Thirsk had lived and worked in space for another 188 days during this second voyage to space.

Robert Thirsk is a strong promoter of a Canadian economy based upon exploration and innovation. He encourages young Canadians to build their dreams upon a solid educational foundation and advanced skills.

About Mr. Carrier:

Roch Carrier is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, an Officer of the Order of Canada, and a recipient of the Stephen Leacock Medal. He holds honorary doctorates from the Université de Moncton in New Brunswick, York University in Toronto, Memorial University of Newfoundland, the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario, and Bowling Green University in Ohio.

From 1994 to 1997, Mr. Carrier was director of the Canada Council for the Arts, after which he turned his focus to travel, studying and writing. In 1999, he became Canada's fourth National Librarian, a position he held until 2004. He has been honorary chair of the National Adult Literacy Database (NALD) since 2005.

Several novels written by Mr. Carrier are considered classics and are taught in schools and universities around the world, in both French and English. Some have been translated into foreign languages. He has also written plays that have been produced both in Canada and abroad.

About The Centre for Literacy

The Centre is a Montreal-based research, resource and professional development organization and a national centre of expertise on all aspects of adult literacy and essential skills. The Centre has done pioneering work in health literacy research and action, much of it in collaboration with the McGill University Health Centre. The work includes patient information navigation kits for breast and prostate cancers. The Centre is a partner with The Montreal Children's Hospital on Lire/Imagine/Read.

Researchers Discover Cellular Process that Clears Cholesterol and Could Reverse Major Cause of Heart Attack

OTTAWA, September 8, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Researchers at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) have discovered that an ancient pathway called autophagy also mobilizes and exports cholesterol from cells.

A team led by Yves Marcel, PhD, Director of the HDL Biology Laboratory, UOHI, has shown that autophagy, a pathway preserved during evolution, functions to engulf and digest cholesterol accumulated in artery walls. This process facilitates the removal of cholesterol and may provide an entirely new target to reverse atherosclerosis, the main cause of heart attack and stroke.

Cholesterol accumulates in the walls of arteries leading to atherosclerosis, also known as narrowing of arteries and which causes blockages and reduces blood flow to the heart. This often culminates in heart attacks and strokes.

The autophagy pathway, which means self-digestion, developed early in single-cell organisms to allow the clearance of accumulated dysfunctional molecules. "The finding that autophagy also functions to digest and liberate cholesterol from cells and the fact that we know this pathway is regulated offers hope for the development of new drugs that could activate export of cholesterol from the walls of arteries," said Marcel.

"There is an urgent need to understand how cholesterol accumulation in arteries can be reversed," said researcher Mireille Ouimet, who was a major contributor to the study.

Details of the research were published online earlier this summer in the journal Cell Metabolism (Cell Metab. 2011: 13(6):655-67) and illustrate how cholesterol buildup itself triggers autophagy, facilitating the release of cholesterol for transport back to the liver for elimination from the body. It is possible that some patients with CAD have an impaired ability to clear arterial cholesterol by the autophagy pathway, said Marcel.

Marcel's work lends a greater understanding to the underlying biochemical complexities involving cholesterol. Cholesterol is important to cell structure. Problems arise when too much cholesterol is deposited inside the walls of the coronary artery - the origins of coronary artery disease (CAD). Researchers now are investigating how this process is involved in the development of atherosclerosis, a step that could help experts in cardiovascular medicine understand and find a new way to halt the progression of heart disease.

Marcel's research career has focused on lipoproteins - the biochemical mechanism to transport cholesterol and fats through the body. In 1997, he received the highest medal of honour by the Royal Society of Canada for his contribution to medical science including research related to pathways for polyunsaturated fatty acids. This was the McLaughlin Medal, considered one of the country's most prestigious tributes for research excellence.

About UOHI

The University of Ottawa Heart Institute is Canada's largest and foremost cardiovascular health centre dedicated to understanding, treating and preventing heart disease. We deliver high-tech care with a personal touch, shape the way cardiovascular medicine is practiced, and revolutionize cardiac treatment and understanding. We build knowledge through research and translate discoveries into advanced care. We serve the local, national and international community, and are pioneering a new era in heart health. For more information, visit www.ottawaheart.ca

Connect with the stars at CBC's new entertainment portal, CBC Live

TORONTO, September 6, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - CBC has launched Canada's newest online entertainment destination: CBC Live ( cbc.ca/live). From film and fashion to people and parties, CBC Live brings the stars to life like never before, connecting Canadians with high-profile personalities and happenings.

"At CBC, we're focused on celebrating the very best in Canadian talent," said Kirstine Stewart, Executive Vice-President, English Services. "CBC Live is a great way for Canadians to connect to the entertainment scene in our country online - easy access for the entertainment lover anywhere in Canada."

Launching just in time for the star-studded September season, CBC Live will have a place of prominence at fall events from the Gemini Awards and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) to the CCMA Awards and the national Culture Days celebrations. And of course, CBC Live will be the go-to site for the inside scoop on the hottest fall television programming, film premieres and music events. The site has already attracting exciting content, including an exclusive interview with international superstar Russell Crowe.

On September 7, as a kick-off to CBC Live, the site will play host to groundbreaking online companion programming for the 26th Annual Gemini Awards. The live stream features digital host Tom Green, in the "Tom Green Room" beginning at 7 p.m. ET at cbc.ca/live and will be available On Demand as a digital companion to the 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) television broadcast.

Then, as Canada turns its eyes to TIFF, CBC Live and the stars of CBC will literally roll out the red carpet across Toronto. From September 8 to 18, fans will have the chance to walk CBC Live red carpets like a star - all captured by the CBC Live paparazzi. And surprise appearances by CBC stars will bring the celebrity spirit of CBC Live to life.

Off the streets, Canadians can stay connected with CBC Live anytime and anywhere they are online - whether by following @CBCLive on Twitter, by ??liking" the Facebook page at facebook.com/cbclive or by bookmarking the website itself at cbc.ca/live.

About CBC/Radio-Canada

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, Internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages, plus seven languages for international audiences. In 2011, CBC/Radio-Canada is celebrating 75 years of serving Canadians and being at the centre of the democratic, social and cultural life of Canada.

Animated Short Film from Chipotle & Willie Nelson Highlights Sustainable Farms (Video)

Image: Screenshot from video below



from TreeHugger.com
by Chris Tackett, Little Rock, Arkansas

I like Chipotle. And, yes, I know it isn't the healthiest option, at least not the way that I order my burrito, but I think they do a much better job than most other corporate chain restaurants when it comes to where they source their ingredients.

A new ad (video below) for their Food With Integrity campaign aims to show how one farmer tries industrial meat production before returning to more sustainable methods.



Here's the description of the video from Chipotle's YouTube page:

Coldplay's haunting classic 'The Scientist' is performed by country music legend Willie Nelson for the soundtrack of the short film entitled, "Back to the Start." The film, by film-maker Johnny Kelly, depicts the life of a farmer as he slowly turns his family farm into an industrial animal factory before seeing the errors of his ways and opting for a more sustainable future. Both the film and the soundtrack were commissioned by Chipotle to emphasize the importance of developing a sustainable food system.

We will always continue to encourage people to eat less meat and learn to cook at home, but that doesn't mean we aren't happy to see a company as big as Chipotle taking steps to move away from supporting industrial meat production. Now if only all the rest would follow their lead...

Visit TreeHugger to see what's new. 30+ fresh, green stories every day!

Improving Canada's Food Regulatory System will Boost Innovation and Economic Growth

OTTAWA, September 1, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Canada's system of food policies, laws and regulations is generally working well to protect the health and well-being of Canadians. But well-intentioned regulations have not yet produced an effective system that boosts innovation and stimulates economic growth.

The food sector is one of the most highly controlled sectors of the economy, and the sheer number of government policies, laws and regulations (PLRs) has grown steadily over the years. The Conference Board of Canada's second foundational report for the Centre for Food in Canada, Governing Food: Policies, Laws, and Regulations for Food in Canada, concludes that policy-makers and regulators do their best to balance the competing demands of industry, multiple governments and consumers, but are hamstrung by an overloaded system. The system needs to be modernized; the current architecture has been developed by continual add-ons and consequently is burdensome and confusing.

"There is no quick fix to Canada's system for governing food. The problem is not so much in the actions being taken today, but rather the cumulative weight of existing PLRs and the motivations for them," said Michael Bloom, Vice-President, Organizational Effectiveness and Learning. "Not only are parts of the current PLR system out-of date, multiple levels of government are involved, that sometimes act at cross-purposes to one another. The system can be described as suffering from 'scope creep'."

The Conference Board outlines five key attributes for optimal PLR systems. Optimal systems are:

...Proportionate—they align the regulatory burden with the severity of risk.

...Responsive—they adapt easily to new circumstances, such as food industry innovation.

...Efficient—they achieve regulatory outcomes at low cost.

...Effective— they achieve their regulatory objectives.

...Transparent—they can be understood by all stakeholders.

The PLR system attempts to address a wide variety of public interests, including safety, the environment, health, and economic sustainability. But the more goals it takes on, the more costly and slow moving it becomes—in turn, undermining its overall cost-effectiveness and stifling industry innovation. There are few self-rationalizing mechanisms that allow the system to respond to new demands without adding to the regulatory burden.

The report reviews the Canadian approach to food regulation based on a study of six issues: food additives, genetically modified foods, health benefit claims, country-of-origin labelling, inspection, and international trade.

In the areas of genetically modified foods, country-of-origin labelling, and food additives, the Canadian approach balances regulatory needs with industry sensitivities. However, the approach to health benefit claims, inspection, and international trade is not as effective, creating barriers to innovation in this sector.

Canada's inspection system - which has benefited from the consolidation of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency - is shared among three levels of government and also depends on the quality management processes of food producers throughout the supply chain. A prerequisite to reform is for the food industry and regulators to create more trusting and cooperative relationships - based on their mutual interest in safe food. On the issue of international trade, Canada is in the early stages of liberalizing its agricultural trade. The extent to which further reform is achieved will depend largely on changes to PLRs.

This report points out specific areas where the PLR system could more effectively meet the needs of the agriculture and agri-food sector, as well as government and consumers. A good starting point would be to revise and modernize the Food and Drugs Act, first enacted in 1920. The Growing Forward initiative and the federal Cabinet Directive on Streamlining Regulation are steps in the right direction that should, if properly implemented, go some way toward limiting regulatory overkill.

The modernization of PLRs is likely to be a key element in the Canadian Food Strategy, to be produced in 2013 by the Centre for Food in Canada. The Centre for Food in Canada is a multi-year Conference Board of Canada initiative supported by approximately 25 companies and organizations that have invested in the project.