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Policy pathways and historical insights: Canada's evolving approach to psychedelic access for end-of-life distress.

Canada's evolving attitudes toward psychedelic interventions in palliative and end-of-life care reflect a departure from historically prohibitionist policies and an emerging recognition of their therapeutic potential for individuals facing end-of-life distress. This shift parallels international regulatory developments in jurisdictions such as the United States, Australia and parts of Europe, where cautious policy liberalization has signaled growing acceptance of psychedelics within clinical contexts. Canada is also a relevant case because of its formative role in the development of modern palliative care, its contemporary frameworks emphasizing holistic approaches to suffering at the end of life, and its experience with medical assistance in dying, all of which have shaped national conversations about suffering, autonomy, and end-of-life care. Additionally, Canada's distinctive historical approach to drug regulation-marked by federal flexibility, mechanisms for compassionate access, and responsiveness to patient advocacy-combined with rising public demand and incremental provincial changes, may uniquely position the country along a transitional pathway toward clinical integration of psychedelics in palliative care. At the same time, Canadian drug policy remains heterogeneous across substances and provinces, underscoring the political contingency of reform. Within this dynamic landscape, Canada's psychedelic drug policy trajectory aligns with broader international trends toward cautious medicalization and regulated access to psychedelic therapies, while also offering an instructive case for how end-of-life frameworks and federal-provincial governance shape policy development.

Humans↗

Eating disorder nutrition counseling: strategies and education needs of English-speaking dietitians in Canada.

The purpose of this study was to profile nutrition counseling strategies for eating disorders that English-speaking Canadian registered dietitians (RDs) use and to explore their educational needs in this area. A cross-sectional survey consisting of open- and closed-ended questions on nutrition counseling strategies was developed and administered via mail. Types of strategies included assessment, rapport-building, educational, and behavior-change strategies. Sixty-five of the 116 eligible RDs who were members of the Dietitians of Canada Eating Disorder Network responded to the survey. Descriptive statistics, chi(2), and Spearman correlation statistics were used. P values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Canadian RDs used strategies that were familiar and strategies they considered useful. Content-oriented or "doing" strategies were used more often than strategies that involved some process-oriented or "thinking" strategies. Reading and intuition were the most frequently reported learning routes. Seventy-one percent of respondents were dissatisfied with the educational opportunities available to RDs in this area in Canada. In Canada, both generalist RDs and specialist eating disorders RDs work with clients with eating disorders. In the absence of a formal nutrition counseling education program, there seems to be a reliance on informal learning routes such as reading or intuition, which may be suboptimal. To optimize eating disorders nutrition practice in Canada, formal coordinated programming that accounts for the educational needs of specialist RDs as well as generalist RDs is needed.

Anorexia Nervosa↗

Social transfers and the health status of mothers in Norway and Canada.

The unconditional health status of lone mothers is worse than that of married mothers in Canada but not in Norway. Even controlling for demographic characteristics and health behaviours in Canada, the health status of lone mothers is worse. Only after we control for income does the differential in health status between married and lone mothers in Canada disappear. An important difference between the countries is that lone mothers are much less likely to be poor in Norway because they receive more generous social transfers. A simulation which involves 'giving Canadian mothers Norwegian transfers,' illustrates the possibility of significant gains in socioeconomic status and health of poor mothers in Canada.

Adult↗

Transplantation in Canada: report of the Canadian Organ Replacement Register.

The solid organ transplant rate in Canada grew from 49.5 per million population (PMP) in 1993 to 56.8 PMP in 2002, with a peak rate of 61.0 in 2000. Most of this increase was seen in living donor kidney, liver, and lung transplants where combined rates rose twofold, from 124.9 per 1000 transplants to 243.5. Despite this, the rate of organ transplantation in the United States was 150% that of Canada in 2002. As of December 31, 2002, there were 3,956 patients waiting for an organ transplant in Canada, an 84% increase in the total number of patients on the waiting list as of December 31, 1993, 10 years ago. Cadaveric organ donation did not change over this period. An international comparison of cadaveric organ donation rates for 2001 place Canada (13.5 PMP) well below Spain (32.5 PMP) and the United States (22.6 PMP) but above Australia (9.3 PMP). As a result the annual gap between transplants performed and the waiting list has grown from 927 in 1992 to 2230 in 2001, representing an annual increase of 8.3%.

Canada↗

Social determinants of health in Canada's immigrant population: results from the National Population Health Survey.

As part of the Metropolis project--a large-scale investigation of immigration and integration, including well-being of immigrants in a number of areas of social life--in this paper we investigate the social determinants of health in Canada's immigrant population using Canada's National Population Health Survey (NPHS). Specifically, we examine differences in health status and health care utilization between immigrants and non-immigrants, immigrants of European and non-European origin, and immigrants of < 10 years and > 10 years' residence in Canada. We also examine social determinants of health care utilization and health status in immigrants and non-immigrants, and evaluate the utility of large-scale, national databases for these purposes. Our conceptual approach draws upon a 'population health' perspective, which suggests that the most important antecedents of human health status are not medical care inputs and health behaviours (smoking, diet, exercise, etc.), but rather social and economic characteristics of individuals and populations. We find no obvious, consistent pattern of association between socio-economic characteristics and immigration characteristics on the one hand, and health status on the other, in the NPHS data. This does not mean that socio-economic factors in Canada are not influential in shaping immigrants' health status. In fact, the results of the logistic regression models calculated for immigrants and non-immigrants on four outcome variables in this study suggest that socio-economic factors are more important for immigrants than non-immigrants, although in ways that defy a simple explanation. The complexity of immigrants' experiences, combined with the inherent limitations of cross-sectional survey data are discussed as major limitations to this kind of research.

Adult↗

Public place restrictions on smoking in Canada: assessing the role of the state, media, science and public health advocacy.

While much is known about the impact of law and public policy, we know considerably less about their antecedents. Theories of policy adoption suggest that a variety of policy inputs help to shape legislative change. This research considers the enactment of municipal smoking bylaws in Canada between 1970 and 1995. The emergence of second-hand smoke (SHS) has been offered as a viable explanation for the increased enactment of local smoking restrictions. A number of indicators confirm the rising public health concern around SHS. Using Health Canada data on municipal smoking bylaw enactment in Canada, this paper employs an event history analysis to trace the role of four indicators of the increased recognition of SHS as a public health concern-scientific research, parliamentary debate, print media, and health advocacy. Findings indicate that the print media and health advocacy play the strongest role in explaining the increase in the adoption of municipal smoking bylaws in Canada. Results lend support to the quantitative study of the policy adoption process and to theories of policy making that consider multiple influences on policy adoption.

Canada↗

Public education on hypertension: a new initiative to improve the prevention, treatment and control of hypertension in Canada.

High blood pressure is one of the leading risk factors for death. Nevertheless, there is a lack of awareness of hypertension as a risk factor, as well as significant misconceptions about hypertension in the Canadian population. Furthermore, according to the Canadian Heart Health Surveys (1985 to 1992), 42% of hypertensive adult Canadians are unaware of their hypertensive status. A collaboration between Blood Pressure Canada, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, the Canadian Hypertension Society and the Canadian Hypertension Education Program has been formed to improve public and patient awareness and knowledge of hypertension. The effort will involve the translation of Canadian Hypertension Education Program recommendations for the prevention and management of hypertension to a public level with a broad and evolving dissemination strategy; the training of health professionals to speak to the public and patients on hypertension, coupled with opportunities to speak in forums organized in their local communities; and, media releases and information on hypertension in association with World Hypertension Day and the release of the annually updated public recommendations. Based on higher rates of awareness of hypertension in countries with sustained public education programs on hypertension, it is anticipated that this evolving program will result in improvement in the rates of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension and, ultimately, in lower cardiovascular disease rates in Canada. Public health programs that could reduce the prevalence of hypertension will be integrated into key public recommendations. The program outcomes will be monitored using Statistics Canada national surveys and by specific surveys examining hypertension knowledge in the Canadian population.

Canada↗

Beyond Romanow: the future of women's health care in Canada.

In November 2002, the Royal Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada, headed by Mr. Roy J. Romanow, will deliver its final report to the Governor-in-Council of Canada. In October 2001 the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (SOGC) submitted to Mr. Romanow concrete ideas and proposed actions to improve the health of Canadian women and their families, and to sustain and strengthen Canada's publicly funded health care system, in its report Ensuring Women's Health: Options for the Future of Canada's Health Care System. This Commentary brings to you the thoughts that the SOGC will continue to forward after the Romanow Commission's report is delivered next month.

Canada↗

Inventory of pediatric neurology "manpower" in Canada.

OBJECTIVE: To review the demographics and workload characteristics of pediatric neurology in Canada. METHOD: A standardized survey questionnaire was mailed out to practicing pediatric neurologists in Canada in 2001. Variables examined were age, gender, hours on call, regular hours worked per week, type of practice and projected changes in practice over next five to ten years. Results were compared to the 1994 Pediatric Neurology Manpower Survey which had used the same survey instrument. RESULTS: Fifty-six (70%) pediatric neurologists practicing in Canada returned the survey. As was the case in 1994, no significant differences in workload were found based on age or gender. The average age of the practicing pediatric neurologist in 2001 was 51 years compared to 45 years in 1994. The proportion of physicians over 55 years in 2001 was 35% compared to 25% in 1994. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric neurology in Canada is an aging specialty needing a significant recruitment of new members

Adult↗

Occurrence of antimicrobials in the final effluents of wastewater treatment plants in Canada.

To investigate the occurrence of antimicrobials in the final effluents from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Canada, analytical methods were developed or modified from previously described methods using solid-phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Thirty-one antimicrobials from the macrolide, quinolone, quinoxaline dioxide, sulfonamide, and tetracycline classes were investigated in the final (treated) effluents from eight WWTPs, located in five Canadian cities. Ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, erythromycin-H20, ofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole, sulfapyridine, and tetracycline were frequently detected in the effluents. The detection of sulfapyridine in effluents is the first report of this compound in environmental samples. Antimicrobials used exclusively for veterinary applications or treatment of livestock, such as carbadox, olaquindox, and chlortetracycline were not detected in the WWTP final effluents. There appear to be differences in the relative concentrations of antimicrobials detected in WWTP final effluents in Canada relative to concentrations reported previously in northern Europe, particularly for quinolone and sulfonamide compounds. These data may reflect differences in prescription patterns in Canada and northern Europe. The antimicrobials frequently detected in WWTP effluents appear to be those prescribed heavily in Canada for medical applications, and these compounds should be considered priority compounds for monitoring in surface water near WWTP discharges. The concentrations of antimicrobials detected in WWTP final effluents did not exceed 1 microg/L; levels that are unlikely to affect the growth and survival of aquatic organisms.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

The need for integrated linkages and long-term monitoring of mercury in Canada.

A nation-wide ecosystem science network for Canada was formed in 1994. At that time, mercury was a re-emerging issue in Canada and the Coordinating Office for the network sought collaboration to assess the issue. The key mechanisms by which the network has added value in addressing this issue are: 1) Information Dissemination, the network has organised, facilitated and co-hosted a number of regional. national and international mercury events (meetings, conferences and workshops) which have served to bring the expertise together, the network also disseminates information on it's web page. and the Coordinating Office hosts an annual National Science Conference: 2) Collaborative Mercury Monitoring, network partners advocated the need for a single hemispheric mercury network which resulted in the development of a compatible Canada-U.S. mercury deposition network, which may also be expanded into Mexico, and 3) Environmental Reporting, the network has collaborated with others to report on current mercury findings through initiatives such as the 1998 Northeast States and Eastern Canadian Mercury Study, a 1999 Mercury Case Study and is presently a partner in the University of Quebec's proposal to form a Collaborative Mercury Ecosystem Research Network in Canada.

Canada↗

Characteristics of patients undergoing bariatric surgery in Canada.

OBJECTIVE: The increasing prevalence of obesity has led to an increased use of bariatric surgery in the treatment of severely obese individuals. The characteristics of patients undergoing bariatric procedures outside of clinical studies and on a national level have not previously been reported. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Acute-care hospital discharge data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information were analyzed to determine the demographic and clinical features and in-hospital mortality rates of individuals undergoing bariatric surgery in Canada. Data from individuals undergoing surgery in fiscal year 2002/2003 were compared with data from 1993/1994. RESULTS: Over 1100 bariatric surgeries were performed in Canada in 2002/2003, with the vast majority being performed in middle-aged women. Ten percent of patients had hypertension or diabetes, and only 1% or fewer had dyslipidemia or cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease. Compared with 1993/1994, patients undergoing surgery in 2002/2003 were older, more likely to have diabetes or hypertension, and had shorter hospital stays. In-hospital mortality rates were <1% in both years. DISCUSSION: In the last decade, there has been a small increase in the average age and the number of patients with concomitant cardiovascular risk factors who are undergoing bariatric procedures in Canada. However, the vast majority of surgeries are being performed in middle-aged women with little cardiovascular comorbidity, and this is likely contributing to very low in-hospital death rates. Such individuals likely represent a highly selected sample of severely obese patients within Canada.

Adult↗

Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for nonmetastatic breast cancer in Canada, and their associated costs.

In an era of fiscal restraint, it is important to evaluate the resources required to diagnose and treat serious illnesses. As breast cancer is the major malignancy affecting Canadian women, Statistics Canada has analysed the resources required to manage this disease in Canada, and the associated costs. Here we report the cost of initial diagnosis and treatment of nonmetastatic breast cancer, including adjuvant therapies. Treatment algorithms for Stages I, II, and III of the disease were derived by age group (< 50 or > or = 50 years old), principally from Canadian cancer registry data, supplemented, where necessary, by the results of surveys of Canadian oncologists. Data were obtained on breast cancer incidence by age, diagnostic work-up, stage at diagnosis, initial treatment, follow-up practice, duration of hospitalization and direct care costs. The direct health care costs associated with 'standard' diagnostic and therapeutic approaches were calculated for a cohort of 17,700 Canadian women diagnosed in 1995. Early stage (Stages I and II) breast cancer represented 87% of all incident cases, with 77% of cases occurring in women > or = 50 years. Variations were noted in the rate of partial vs total mastectomy, according to stage and age group. Direct costs for diagnosis and initial treatment ranged from $8014 for Stage II women > or = 50 years old, to $10,897 for Stage III women < 50 years old. Except for Stage III women < 50 years old, the largest expenditure was for hospitalization for surgery, followed by radiotherapy costs. Chemotherapy was the largest cost component for Stage III women < 50 years old. This report describes the cost of diagnosis and initial treatment of nonmetastatic breast cancer in Canada, assuming current practice patterns. A second report will describe the lifetime costs of treating all stages of breast cancer. These data will then be incorporated into Statistics Canada's Population Health Model (POHEM) to perform cost-effectiveness studies of new therapeutic interventions for breast cancer, such as the cost-effectiveness of day surgery, or of radiotherapy to all breast cancer patients undergoing breast surgery.

Age Factors↗

Changes in the registration of stillbirths < 500 g in Canada, 1985-95. Fetal-Infant Mortality Study Group of the Canadian Perinatal Surveillance System.

We assessed recent temporal trends in the registration of stillbirths in Canada, with particular regard to stillbirths < 500 g. Data from the Statistics Canada live birth and stillbirth databases for the period 1985-95 were used for the study. The primary analysis was restricted to data from 10 of the 12 provinces and territories of Canada. Data from Newfoundland were excluded because birthweight distributions were not available prior to 1990, and data from Ontario were excluded because of concerns about data quality. The proportion of stillbirths < 500 g increased by 47% [95% confidence interval (CI) 32, 63%], from 12.7% of stillbirths with known birthweight in 1985-7 to 18.7% in 1993-5. Similarly, the rate of stillbirths < 500 g increased by 36% [95% CI 21, 53%], from 7.2 to 9.8 per 10,000 total births from 1985-7 to 1993-5. Similar increases in stillbirth rates were not observed in other low birthweight categories. Live births < 500 g increased 53% [95% CI 33, 77%], from 4.6 to 7.0 per 10,000 live births. Some provinces and territories had low rates of stillbirths < 500 g and no increasing trend, whereas other provinces showed higher rates and increases over time. These regional differences were consistent with differences in stillbirth definitions across the provinces and territories of Canada. Spatio-temporal comparisons of crude stillbirth rates are likely to be compromised unless differences and changes in birth registration practices are addressed.

Canada↗

Maternal mortality, United States and Canada, 1982-1997.

BACKGROUND: The 1998 public awareness campaign on Safe Motherhood called attention to the issue of maternal mortality worldwide. This paper focuses upon maternal mortality trends in the United States and Canada, and examines differentials in maternal mortality in the United States by maternal characteristics. METHODS: Data from the vital statistics systems of the United States and Canada were used in the analysis. Both systems identify maternal deaths using the definition of the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases. Numbers of deaths, maternal mortality rates, and confidence intervals for the rates are shown in the paper. RESULTS: Maternal mortality declined for much of the century in both countries, but the rates have not changed substantially between 1982 and 1997. In this period the maternal mortality levels were lower in Canada than in the United States. Maternal mortality rates vary by maternal characteristics, especially maternal age and race. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal mortality continues to be an issue in developed countries, such as the United States and Canada. Maternal mortality rates have been stable recently, despite evidence that many maternal deaths continue to be preventable. Additional investment is needed to realize further improvements in maternal mortality.

Adult↗

An analysis of dialysis training in the United States and Canada.

BACKGROUND: Because the prevalence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has progressively increased in both the United States and Canada, patients with ESRD are likely to constitute progressively larger proportions of nephrology practices. METHODS: We mailed a questionnaire to US and Canadian nephrology program directors to determine methods used in dialysis training; 53% of US and 73% of Canadian programs responded. RESULTS: Training programs in the United States enrolled a larger median number of fellows and had a lower median faculty-fellow ratio compared with programs in Canada. However, the availability of faculty in providing training in the care of patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) or chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD) was similar in both countries. There were wide variations in availability of patients in both the United States and Canada. US training programs offered trainees significantly lower numbers of MHD and CPD patients; 29% of US training programs had less than five CPD patients per fellow. Similarly, there were wide variations in the amount of time trainees spent providing care to MHD and CPD patients; in 14% of US training programs, fellows spent less than 5% of their time receiving training for patients undergoing CPD. Only a small proportion of training programs had faculty resources or ensured training for fellows in the placement of percutaneous tunneled venous hemodialysis catheters or peritoneal dialysis catheters. CONCLUSIONS: To conclude, there are wide variations in dialysis training in both the United States and Canada. This survey raises concerns that many US training programs either do not have an appropriate number of CPD patients or do not allocate appropriate time to ensure the preparedness of fellows in providing independent care for patients with ESRD undergoing CPD.

Canada↗

Trends in fetal growth among singleton gestations in the United States and Canada, 1985 through 1998.

We examined trends in fetal growth among singleton live births in the United States and Canada. The data files (n = 48,637,680; 16.6% blacks) for US births, and the Canadian Birth Database of Statistics Canada (n = 3,167,702) for Canadian births were used. Trends were assessed between 1985-86 and 1997-98 with reference to mean birthweight, birthweight-for-gestational-age z-score, and proportions delivered low birthweight (< 2,500 g), small for gestational age (SGA: birthweight < 10th centile for gestational age) and large for gestational age (LGA: birthweight > 90th centile). The term "mean birth weight" increased in the US and Canada between 1985 and 1998, as have the mean z-score. Rates of term SGA births declined among US (11% among whites and 12% among blacks) and Canadian births (27%). Preterm SGA births increased by 3% and 17%, respectively, among US whites and blacks, but declined by 11% among Canadian births. Further, term LGA births increased in the US (5% among whites and 9% among blacks) and Canada (24%). Preterm LGA births declined by 13%, 25%, and 14% among US whites and blacks, and Canadian births, respectively. These findings suggest that US and Canadian babies are getting bigger. The role of preterm obstetrical induction and preterm cesarean delivery are likely to have influenced these trends.

Birth Weight↗

The Canadian experience: why Canada decided against an upper limit for cholesterol.

Canada, like the United States, held a "consensus conference on cholesterol" in 1988. Although the final report of the consensus panel recommended that total dietary fat not exceed 30 percent and saturated fat not exceed 10 percent of total energy intake, it did not specify an upper limit for dietary cholesterol. Similarly, the 1990, Health Canada publication "Nutrition Recommendations: The Report of the Scientific Review Committee" specified upper limits for total and saturated fat in the diet but did not specify an upper limit for cholesterol. Canada's Guidelines for Healthy Eating, a companion publication from Health Canada, suggested that Canadians "choose low-fat dairy products, lean meats, and foods prepared with little or no fat" while enjoying "a variety of foods." Many factors contributed to this position but a primary element was the belief that total dietary fat and saturated fat were primary dietary determinants of serum total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, not dietary cholesterol. Hence, Canadian health authorities focused on reducing saturated fat and trans fats in the Canadian diet to help lower blood cholesterol levels rather than focusing on limiting dietary cholesterol. In an effort to allay consumer concern with the premise that blood cholesterol level is linked to dietary cholesterol, organizations such as the Canadian Egg Marketing Agency (CEMA) reminded health professionals, including registered dietitians, family physicians and nutrition educators, of the extensive data showing that there is little relationship between dietary cholesterol intake and cardiovascular mortality. In addition, it was pointed out that for most healthy individuals, endogenous synthesis of cholesterol by the liver adjusts to the level of dietary cholesterol intake. Educating health professionals about the relatively weak association between dietary cholesterol and the relatively strong association between serum cholesterol and saturated fat and trans fats helped keep consumers informed about healthy diets and ways to control blood cholesterol.

Canada↗