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Outbreaks of Salmonella infections associated with eating Roma tomatoes--United States and Canada, 2004.

Three outbreaks of Salmonella infections associated with eating Roma tomatoes were detected in the United States and Canada in the summer of 2004. In one multistate U.S. outbreak during June 25-July 18, multiple Salmonella serotypes were isolated, and cases were associated with exposure to Roma tomatoes from multiple locations of a chain delicatessen. Each of the other two outbreaks was characterized by a single Salmonella serotype: Braenderup in one multistate outbreak and Javiana in an outbreak in Canada. In the three outbreaks, 561 outbreak-related illnesses from 18 states and one province in Canada were identified. This report describes the subsequent investigations by public health and food safety agencies. Although a single tomato-packing house in Florida was common to all three outbreaks, other growers or packers also might have supplied contaminated Roma tomatoes that resulted in some of the illnesses. Environmental investigations are continuing. Because current knowledge of mechanisms of tomato contamination and methods of eradication of Salmonella in fruit is inadequate to ensure produce safety, further research should be a priority for the agricultural industry, food safety agencies, and the public health community.

Canada↗

A profile of registered nurses in rural and remote Canada.

Research on nursing practice issues in rural and remote areas of Canada is very limited. This report describes the method and initial results of a comprehensive survey of registered nurses (RNs) practising outside the commuting zones of large urban centres, designed to determine: who practises nursing in rural and remote Canada; the nature and scope of their nursing practice; and their satisfaction with their work, community, and practice supports. Using a mailed questionnaire with persistent follow-up, the data-collection frame included a stratified random sample of rural RNs and the full population of RNs who worked in the northern territories and outpost ("remote") settings. The analyses focus on regional comparisons of demographics and primary work settings and on provincial comparisons of satisfaction levels related to work and community. The survey is part of a larger multi-method project intended to inform policy on rural nursing practice in Canada.

Adult↗

Awareness and misconception of hypertension in Canada: results of a national survey.

BACKGROUND: The Canadian Heart Health Surveys were the last Canadian population-based physical measures surveys (conducted between 1988 and 1992) that determined that hypertension in Canada was poorly managed. Hypertension was undetected in almost one-half of all hypertensive Canadians surveyed, and only 13% of those with hypertension were treated and controlled to recommended blood pressure targets. The reasons for poor control are likely multifactorial; however, a lack of public awareness and understanding of hypertension may contribute to the epidemic of uncontrolled hypertension in Canada. METHODS: A national telephone survey was conducted comprising 1001 randomly selected men and women older than 40 years of age to determine the level of public awareness, understanding and misconception of hypertension in Canada. The survey was balanced for region, age and sex. RESULTS: Thirty-four per cent of respondents had been diagnosed with high blood pressure or hypertension by a health care professional, but only 58% of respondents had ever discussed their blood pressure with a physician, and only 44% were able to identify their own blood pressure or differentiate blood pressure levels considered to be above or below recommended targets. Overall, respondents had a poor understanding of the consequences of high blood pressure or hypertension. The majority were unaware of the association between hypertension and heart disease (80%), heart attack (66%), kidney disease (98%), damage to blood vessels (95%) and premature death (74%). Respondents also had limited knowledge of lifestyle issues affecting hypertension, despite 44% indicating that they were overweight and 18% identifying themselves as smokers. Almost two-thirds (63%) thought hypertension had clearly identifiable signs or symptoms, although they believed that hypertension was not a serious medical condition. Most respondents (59%) falsely believed that they would not develop hypertension and 38% thought that they would be able to control hypertension without the aid of a physician if they did have hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: While hypertension-related complications are preventable, lack of public awareness and misconceptions about hypertension and hypertensive complications are common and may, in part, be associated with ongoing inadequate Canadian awareness, treatment and control rates for hypertension. Increasing public awareness of hypertension using public education and health provider strategies should be a high national health priority.

Adult↗

The health of immigrants and refugees in Canada.

Canada admits between more than 200,000 immigrants every year. National policy emphasizes rigorous selection to ensure that Canada admits healthy immigrants. However, remarkably little policy is directed to ensuring that they stay healthy. This neglect is wrong-headed: keeping new settlers healthy is just, humane, and consistent with national self-interest. By identifying personal vulnerabilities, salient resettlement stressors that act alone or interact with predisposition in order to create health risk, and the personal and social resources that reduce risk and promote well-being, health research can enlighten policy and practice. However, the paradigms that have dominated immigrant health research over the past 100 years--the "sick" and "healthy immigrant," respectively--have been inadequate. Part of the problem is that socio-political controversy has influenced the questions asked about immigrant health, and the manner of their investigation. Beginning with a review of studies that point out the shortcomings of the sick immigrant and healthy immigrant paradigms, this article argues that an interaction model that takes into account both predisposition and socio-environmental factors, provides the best explanatory framework for extant findings, and the best guide for future research. Finally, the article argues that forging stronger links between research, policy and the delivery of services will not only help make resettlement a more humane process, it will help ensure that Canada benefits from the human capital that its newest settlers bring with them.

Canada↗

Prescription drug abuse in Canada and the diversion of prescription drugs into the illicit drug market.

Prescription drug abuse has received considerable attention in media reports in recent years. The purpose of this article is to describe the Canadian situation and context with regards to prescription drug abuse and the diversion of psychotropic prescription drugs into the illicit drug market, with a focus on the need for more data and interventions. Canada ranks within the top 10% of countries in the use of benzodiazepines, opioid prescriptions and stimulants. There are many ways that prescription drugs are diverted into the illicit market and varied reasons for use and abuse. Prescription drug abuse is further related to a number of negative consequences, including overdose. While seniors and women have been the primary focus for research in Canada on prescription drug abuse, adolescents and young adults have received less attention. Systematic epidemiological data specifically on prescription drug abuse in the Canada context are lacking and are needed in order to more clearly understand the reasons for the phenomenon and to develop and implement appropriate interventions.

Adolescent↗

Coordinating Canada's research response to global health challenges: the Global Health Research Initiative.

The Global Health Research Initiative (GHRI) involving the Canadian International Development Agency, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Health Canada and the International Development Research Centre seeks to coordinate Canada's research response to global health challenges. In light of numerous calls to action both nationally and internationally, an orientation to applied health policy and systems research, and to public health research and its application is required to redress global inequalities in wealth and health and to tackle well-documented constraints to achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Over the last four years, the GHRI has funded close to 70 research program development and pilot projects. However, longer-term investment is needed. The proposed dollars 100 million Teasdale-Corti Global Health Research Partnership Program is such a response, and is intended to support teams of researchers and research users to develop, test and implement innovative approaches to strengthening institutional capacity, especially in low- and middle-income countries; to generating knowledge and its effective application to improve the health of populations, especially those most vulnerable; and to strengthen health systems in those countries. While Canada stands poised to act, concerted leadership and resources are still required to support "research that matters" for health and development in low- and middle-income countries.

Canada↗

Stem cell research in Canada: business opportunities for U.S. companies.

The ban on the use of United States (U.S.) federal funds to support new embryonic stem cell research has had a chilling effect on such research in the U.S. In Canada, significant research opportunities are available for conducting stem cell research. The opportunities include using embryos that were originally produced for reproductive purposes, and using stem cells derived from adults and animals. Stem cell research in Canada is made even more attractive in view of the availability and quality of research facilities, the lower cost of conducting research in Canada than in the U.S., and the government tax credits.

Canada↗

Endectocide use in cattle and fecal residues: environmental effects in Canada.

Endectocides, or macrocyclic lactones, are veterinary parasiticides used globally to control nematodes and arthropods affecting livestock. Cattle treated with these products fecally excrete residues that are toxic to dung-inhabiting insects, including species that accelerate dung degradation. Concerns have been raised that use of endectocides may reduce insect diversity and cause the accumulation of undegraded dung on pastures. This article synthesizes the results of studies performed to assess the nontarget effects of endectocide use in Canada. Residues reduce insect activity in dung of treated cattle for weeks to months after application. The duration of effect is influenced by several factors, including insect species and product. For example, in terms of toxicity, doramectin > ivermectin approximately equal to eprinomectin >> moxidectin. Reduced insect activity may retard dung degradation. Within the framework of regional conditions and management practices, endectocide use in Canada is unlikely to pose a significant widespread threat to the environment. Nevertheless, nontarget effects may be of concern to individual cow-calf operators, particularly those treating cattle in the spring. This synthesis, the first assessment of the nontarget effects of endectocide use in Canada, emphasizes the importance of presenting findings within an appropriate context.

Animals↗

Residential energy use and potential conservation through reduced laundering temperatures in the United States and Canada.

A residential energy-use model was developed to estimate energy budgets for household laundering practices in the United States and Canada. The thermal energy for heating water and mechanical energy for agitating clothes in conventional washing machines were calculated for representative households in the United States and Canada. Comparisons in energy consumption among hot-, warm-, and cold-water wash and rinse cycles, horizontal- and vertical-axis washing machines, and gas and electric water heaters, were calculated on a per-wash-load basis. Demographic data for current laundering practices in the United States and Canada were then incorporated to estimate household and national energy consumption on an annual basis for each country. On average, the thermal energy required to heat water using either gas or electric energy constitutes 80% to 85% of the total energy consumed per wash in conventional, vertical-axis (top-loading) washing machines. The balance of energy used is mechanical energy. Consequently, the potential energy savings per load in converting from hot-and-warm- to cold-wash temperatures can be significant. Annual potential energy and cost savings and reductions in carbon dioxide emissions are also estimated for each country, assuming full conversion to cold-wash water temperatures. This study provides useful information to consumers for conserving energy in the home, as well as to, manufacturers in the design of more energy-efficient laundry formulations and appliances.

Canada↗

Innovations in population intervention research capacity: the contributions of Canada on the Move.

The Canada on the Move project developed within a dynamic context and in response to an expressed need for increased capacity to support research involving population-level interventions. This article describes a) the movement to create an organized approach to chronic disease prevention in Canada, b) the emerging science of population-level intervention, c) the development of Canadian infrastructure to support population intervention science, and d) the contribution of Canada on the Move in developing a health research platform and, opportunistically, instigating a study which included assessment of the population impact of a commercial marketing initiative.

Body Weight↗

Characteristics of participants visiting the Canada on the move website.

BACKGROUND: The Internet is a potential medium to attain large groups of Canadians for physical activity monitoring and interventions, however, little is known about the characteristics of participants who could be recruited on a national level. Our objectives were to determine: 1) the extent to which our sample was representative of the Canadian population; 2) the demographic, social-cognitive and physical activity behaviour, and environmental characteristics of one-time and multi-time users of the Canada on the Move website; and 3) whether certain recruitment strategies were more likely to reach specific demographic subgroups. METHODS: Web-based self-report measures were collected on demographic, social-cognitive, physical activity behaviour, and environmental factors. Descriptive statistics were employed to address the study's research objectives. RESULTS: Significant differences (p<0.001) were found between our total sample and 2001 Canadian census/Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) data on all demographic and physical activity behaviour measures. One-time and multi-time users significantly differed on age (p<0.005) and being responsible for children under age 13 (p=0.01). No differences existed between the groups on any of the social-cognitive, behavioural or environmental variables. Source of knowledge about the Canada on the Move website between one-time and multi-time users was not significantly different. CONCLUSION: The Canada on the Move website presents a viable approach to reaching diverse demographic groups. Further work needs to be undertaken to: 1) develop engaging websites; 2) detail the monitoring of the web-based access information; 3) integrate the website with other organizations promoting physical activity; and 4) expand the number of recruitment sources.

Adolescent↗

A comparison of paediatrics occupational therapy university program curricula in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada.

Comparisons were made of the paediatric content of professional entry-level occupational therapy university program curricula in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada using an ex post facto survey methodology. The findings indicated that in Australia/New Zealand, paediatrics made up 20% of the total curriculum, but only 13% in Canada. Canadian reference materials were utilized less often in Canadian universities than in Australia/New Zealand. Theories taught most often in Australia/New Zealand were: Sensory Integration, Neurodevelopmental Therapy, Client-Centered Practice, Playfulness, and the Model of Human Occupation. In Canada, the most frequent theories were: Piaget's Stages of Cognitive/Intellectual Development, Neurodevelopmental Therapy, Erikson's Eight Stages of Psychosocial Development and Sensory Integration. The most frequently taught paediatric assessment tools in both regions were the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency and Miller Assessment for Preschoolers. Paediatric intervention methods taught to students in all three countries focused on activities of daily living/self-care, motor skills, perceptual and visual motor integration, and infant and child development.

Australia↗

Johne's disease in Canada Part I: clinical symptoms, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and prevalence in dairy herds.

Recent international developments in the area of infectious disease control and nontariff trade barriers, along with possible zoonotic concerns, have provoked a revival of interest in Johne's disease in Canada and elsewhere. The bacterium causing Johne's disease, Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, is distributed worldwide and causes chronic granulomatous enteritis, also known as paratuberculosis, in domestic and exotic ruminants, including cattle. The subclinical form of this disease results in progressive weight loss, reduced milk production, lower slaughter value, and premature culling, with possible impacts on fertility and udder health. Eventually, infection can lead to the clinical form that manifests as chronic diarrhea, emaciation, debilitation, and eventual death. Currently, available tests to detect infected animals produce many false-negative results and some false-positives, particularly in subclinically infected animals, thus making their interpretation and utilization challenging in control programs. The objective of this 2-part review is to critically review the literature about Johne's disease in dairy cattle for bovine practitioners in Canada. Part I covers the clinical stages, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and prevalence of infection in Canada, while Part II discusses impacts, risk factors, and control programs relevant to Canadian dairy farms. By reviewing the scientific literature about Johne's disease, control of the disease could be pursued through informed implementation of rational biosecurity efforts and the strategic use of testing and culling.

Animals↗

Canada and Brazil. Health satisfaction older adults.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare patterns of social factors explaining health satisfaction of older adults in selected regions of Canada and Brazil. DESIGN: The study was a secondary analysis of data from two descriptive exploratory studies of quality of life of older adults in Canada and Brazil. METHODS: A secondary analysis of two data sets was conducted. The data sets included responses from 202 older adults from Canada and 288 older adults from Brazil. The Canadian data were collected in a mail survey of randomly selected older adults conducted in early 2004 and the Brazilian data were collected in a household survey in the fall of 2004. In both countries, instruments used in data collection were the short version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) and a demographic data sheet. Multiple regression analyses were used to examine predictors of health satisfaction in each of the samples. The independent variables were: age, gender, perceptions of access to health services, transport, social support, personal relationships, capacity for work, opportunities for leisure activities and enough money to meet needs. All indicators (except for age and gender) were taken from the WHOQOL-BREF instrument and were measured by a single global item on a five point Likert scale. FINDINGS: In the Canadian data set, it was found that perceptions regarding capacity to work and opportunities for leisure activities were significant predictors of health satisfaction. In Brazil, the significant predictors were perceptions of capacity to work and enough money to meet needs. CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies some common social factors that explain health satisfaction, but many other variables thought to be important were not significant in these samples. Examination of social factors influencing health at the individual as well as societal level may help in planning interventions that enhance health and well-being of older adults.

Aged↗

Increasing brain cancer rates in Canada.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse brain cancer patterns in Canada, particularly according to age and sex distributions, temporal patterns and regional variations. Changes in diagnostic techniques, survival rates and trends by tumour type were also examined. DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiologic study based on Canada-wide population data for 1959-88. OUTCOME MEASURES: Rates of death, incidence and admission to hospital because of brain cancer, as well as survival time and methods of diagnosis. SUBJECTS: Incidence and death rates and time trends were examined for Canada as a whole, by province and by census division. RESULTS: The rates of death from brain cancer increased rapidly among Canadians aged 55 years or more from 1959 to 1988. In particular, age-adjusted death rates increased by 117%, 797% and 118% among men 65 to 74 years, 75 to 84 and 85 or more respectively. The corresponding increases among women were 138%, 535% and 400%. The incidence rates also increased substantially. The trends in incidence rates by tumour type indicated that the increase was more pronounced for glioblastomas. The incidence rates of cases detected histologically, radiologically and clinically all increased. CONCLUSIONS: Because glioblastomas are generally easier to diagnose than astrocytomas and because the incidence rates of glioblastomas were found to increase substantially, the increased brain cancer rates among elderly people may not be entirely attributable to improved diagnostic techniques. However, analytic investigations of the impact of changes in diagnostic procedures on brain cancer trends are needed to clarify this issue.

Adolescent↗

Sedative-hypnotic drug use in Canada.

Although many studies of sedative-hypnotic drug use have been performed in Canada, there has been no national study of the use of these drugs. We have attempted to correct this deficit in our knowledge by using data from an international survey of health care utilization performed in 1968-9 and from the Canada Health Survey (1978-9), the Health Promotion Survey (1985) and the National Alcohol and Other Drugs Survey (1989) to examine sedative-hypnotic use among individuals aged 15 or more. The results suggest that the use of these drugs in Canada is about average for an industrialized society. Several socioeconomic and health care correlates of sedative-hypnotic use were found. The rate of use of these drugs was higher among women, the elderly, separated, divorced or widowed individuals, those who had a secondary school education or less, individuals with a low family income, the retired, and the unemployed. Among women, higher rates of use were reported by those whose main activity was keeping house (as compared with those who were employed outside the home) and by those who lived alone. Higher rates of use were also found for individuals who had consulted a physician or been hospitalized recently, individuals taking multiple drugs, those who scored highly on an anxiety scale, persons in whom negative feelings predominated, and those who had experienced a high frequency of psycho-physiological symptoms of anxiety and depression. From a regional point of view, the highest rates of use for women were consistently reported from Quebec, while the lowest were consistently found in the Prairie provinces. No consistent pattern was found for men.

Adolescent↗

Otolaryngological manpower in Canada in the year 2000.

Otolaryngologic manpower in Canada has been carefully monitored since the mid-1970s. Within that frame of reference it is now possible to make some projections as to what the manpower picture will be into the next century. These projections are based on a computer model of population demographics as developed by Statistics Canada following the 1986 census. For these projections it is assumed that current government policies as regards immigration of physicians into Canada will be maintained over the next decade and that domestic training programs will not see any substantial increase in numbers. On the basis of these projections it would appear that current manpower shortages will continue and likely be exacerbated over the next 10 years and probably well into the 21st century.

Adult↗

Legitimacy at the expense of narrowing of scope of practice: chiropractic in Canada.

A number of researchers from Australia, Britain, the United States and Canada describe the twentieth century development of chiropractic in terms of increased official and public recognition "in exchange for" a narrowing of scope of practice claims. This process in Canada is briefly described and is illustrated by examining chiropractic's relationships with naturopathy, a broad scope of practice health occupation. It is shown that chiropractic in Canada first used naturopathy to try to expand its own scope of practice, but then quickly rejected any official connections with a broad scope naturopathy in a recent drive to gain state recognition for a chiropractic "purified" of its past all-inclusive claims, a drive which has been at least partially successful. Yet, this narrowing contradicts chiropractic's frequent claims to be a holistic health discipline and presents practical problems for chiropractic. While chiropractic is in the process of gaining official recognition under proposed health disciplines legislation in Ontario, it is faced with dilemmas produced by its contradictory claims to narrowing and to holism. At the same time, chiropractic, along with many other previously subordinate health occupations, seems to be in the process of replacing medical dominance with a broader, but perhaps just as authoritarian, regime of "professional dominance." Will success inevitably bring not only an implicit acknowledgement of the claims of orthodox medicine, but also a separation of chiropractors from patients, those whom chiropractors once made a unique claim to serve?

Canada↗