Health

An advertisement for Ozempic is seen on a billboard in Toronto on Friday, June 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

Ozempic ads seem to be everywhere, doctors and ethics experts are worried

Increased attention on diabetes drug turned weight loss treatment has watchdogs on alert

An advertisement for Ozempic is seen on a billboard in Toronto on Friday, June 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
B.C. Minister of Health Adrian Dix, at a press conference Monday, June 19, announces that Nanaimo Regional General Hospital’s new intensive care unit will open to patients next week. (Bailey Seymour/News Bulletin)

New ICU at Nanaimo hospital will open next week

B.C. minister of health visits NRGH to announce opening of intensive care unit

B.C. Minister of Health Adrian Dix, at a press conference Monday, June 19, announces that Nanaimo Regional General Hospital’s new intensive care unit will open to patients next week. (Bailey Seymour/News Bulletin)
The Parkinson’s Wellness Project has over 21 physical exercise classes, both in-person and online. (Contributed Emily Griffis).

Victoria-based Parkinson’s non-profit focuses on physical exercise

The Parkinson’s Wellness Project is located on 2680 Blanshard St.

The Parkinson’s Wellness Project has over 21 physical exercise classes, both in-person and online. (Contributed Emily Griffis).
Angel Flight pilot Ted and a patient named Charlie. (Photo courtesy of Angel Flight)

Angel Flight offers patients free flights to hospitals out of Victoria

Non-profit reduces transportation costs

  • Jun 13, 2023
Angel Flight pilot Ted and a patient named Charlie. (Photo courtesy of Angel Flight)
(Black Press Media Creative)

TikTok: Here’s why #medicalgaslighting is trending

Now topping over 226 million views on TikTok, the social media tag…

(Black Press Media Creative)
Portrait of Suzanne Degner by Lia Crowe photography

Secrets and Lives with Suzanne Degner

Kelowna has always been on my radar

  • Jun 7, 2023
Portrait of Suzanne Degner by Lia Crowe photography
Colbey Goodwin, 19, is starting immediate chemotherapy at Vancouver General Hospital after being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. (Photo courtesy of the Goodwin family)

‘A family in crisis’: Langford teen’s leukemia diagnosis comes with crushing costs

Family raising money for support with outpatient costs while in treatment in Vancouver

  • Jun 5, 2023
Colbey Goodwin, 19, is starting immediate chemotherapy at Vancouver General Hospital after being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. (Photo courtesy of the Goodwin family)
UBC researchers aim to lead the charge in defining what is a concussion. (Black Press File Photo)

B.C. researchers look to bridge gap in ‘wildly inconsistent’ concussion diagnoses

Researchers at UBC looking to create new criteria when it comes to diagnosing concussions (Photo: Daniel Taylor)

UBC researchers aim to lead the charge in defining what is a concussion. (Black Press File Photo)
Cowichan Valley senior Grace Price said the costs of shingle vaccinations in B.C. are out of reach for many people. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Costly shingles vaccines spark call for change from Cowichan senior

Many seniors on fixed incomes can’t afford them

Cowichan Valley senior Grace Price said the costs of shingle vaccinations in B.C. are out of reach for many people. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry spoke about the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 during a press conference in Victoria. (Chad Hipolito/ Canadian Press)

What seniors still need to know about COVID

Dr. Bonnie Henry provides answers to a few specific questions on behalf of Langley’s aging population

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry spoke about the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 during a press conference in Victoria. (Chad Hipolito/ Canadian Press)
British Columbia will review a U.S. draft recommendations to determine if any changes will be made to its mammogram screening program. (pixabay photo)

Some doctors, patients want Canada to follow U.S. proposal for earlier mammograms

Regular mammography screening recommended for women between the ages of 50 and 74 in Canada

British Columbia will review a U.S. draft recommendations to determine if any changes will be made to its mammogram screening program. (pixabay photo)
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix speaks during an announcement about funding coverage of application and assessment fees for internationally trained nurses, at Langara College in Vancouver, on Monday, January 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. sets record, delivers 350,000 surgeries last fiscal year, health minister says

From April 2022 to March 2023 B.C. delivered more than 350,000 surgeries

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix speaks during an announcement about funding coverage of application and assessment fees for internationally trained nurses, at Langara College in Vancouver, on Monday, January 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Minnesota Wild’s Marcus Foligno (17) fights Chicago Blackhawks’ Andreas Englund (28) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, April 10, 2023, in Chicago. A study looking at National Hockey League players who spend more time dropping the gloves or in the penalty box tend to live 10 years less than their peers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Paul Beaty

NHL tough guys die 10 years younger than their fellow players, study finds

Differences in causes of death between the enforcers and their fellow players was striking

Minnesota Wild’s Marcus Foligno (17) fights Chicago Blackhawks’ Andreas Englund (28) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, April 10, 2023, in Chicago. A study looking at National Hockey League players who spend more time dropping the gloves or in the penalty box tend to live 10 years less than their peers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Paul Beaty
(File photo by BLACK PRESS)

Paramedic shortages still plague B.C. rural areas, but remedies may be in the works

Part-time staffing model, better on-call wages may help areas facing staffing gaps

(File photo by BLACK PRESS)
(File photo by BLACK PRESS)

Paramedic shortages still plagues Quadra Island, but remedies may be in the works

Part-time staffing model, better on-call wages may help areas facing staffing gaps

(File photo by BLACK PRESS)
The Huntington disease flag that will be raised at Victoria City Hall during the week of May 7-14. (Credit: Victoria City Hall website)

Victoria marks Huntington Disease Awareness Month

One in every 7,000 Canadians has Huntington disease

The Huntington disease flag that will be raised at Victoria City Hall during the week of May 7-14. (Credit: Victoria City Hall website)
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), speaks to journalists during a press conference about the Global WHO on World Health Day and the 75th anniversary at the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, Thursday April 6, 2023. (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP)

WHO downgrades COVID pandemic, says it’s no longer emergency

Announcement marks a symbolic end to the devastating coronavirus pandemic

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), speaks to journalists during a press conference about the Global WHO on World Health Day and the 75th anniversary at the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, Thursday April 6, 2023. (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP)
B.C. Nurses’ Union President Aman Grewal speaks as B.C. Premier David Eby, back right, listens during an announcement at Langara College in Vancouver, on January 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. nurses ratify new three-year collective agreement

BCNU says 61 per cent of its members voted in favour of the new deal

B.C. Nurses’ Union President Aman Grewal speaks as B.C. Premier David Eby, back right, listens during an announcement at Langara College in Vancouver, on January 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
FILE - Cigarette butts fill a smoking receptacle outside a federal building in Washington, Thursday, April 15, 2021. According to government survey data released Thursday, April 27, 2023, U.S. adults are smoking less. Cigarette smoking dropped to another new all-time low in 2022, with 1 in 9 adults saying they were current smokers. Meanwhile, e-cigarette use rose, to about 1 in 17 adults. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Adult cigarette smoking rate hits new all-time low in the United States

New government survey says 1 in 9 Americans are smokers

FILE - Cigarette butts fill a smoking receptacle outside a federal building in Washington, Thursday, April 15, 2021. According to government survey data released Thursday, April 27, 2023, U.S. adults are smoking less. Cigarette smoking dropped to another new all-time low in 2022, with 1 in 9 adults saying they were current smokers. Meanwhile, e-cigarette use rose, to about 1 in 17 adults. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
This image provided by Eli Lilly shows a 15 mg dosage of the company’s drug Mounjaro. Already approved to treat type 2 diabetes, Mounjaro is being considered for fast-track approval as a weight-loss drug based on the results of key clinical trials, with the latest announced on Thursday, April 27, 2023. Also known as tirzepatide, it is part of new class of medications that treat overweight and obesity by targeting the metabolic conditions that lead to extra weight. (Eli Lilly via AP)

Powerful new obesity drug poised to upend weight loss care

Tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro, has a track record of leading to significant weight loss

This image provided by Eli Lilly shows a 15 mg dosage of the company’s drug Mounjaro. Already approved to treat type 2 diabetes, Mounjaro is being considered for fast-track approval as a weight-loss drug based on the results of key clinical trials, with the latest announced on Thursday, April 27, 2023. Also known as tirzepatide, it is part of new class of medications that treat overweight and obesity by targeting the metabolic conditions that lead to extra weight. (Eli Lilly via AP)