Sunscreen Benefits Beat Risks In Pregnancy: MDs

Summary of Article:

Pregnant women should not be scared of using sunscreen to protect themselves from skin cancer despite safety concerns raised in animal studies, Canadian doctors say.  The July issue of Consumer Reports includes sunscreen ratings based on protection from UVA and UVB rays that cause damage such as sunburn, and tests of water resistance claims.  The article also raises questions about potential harmful health effects on a fetus from a compound found in some sunscreens called retinyl palmitate.  "Retinyl palmitate, a type of topical Vitamin A, is an antioxidant that animal studies have linked to an increased risk of skin cancers.  In skin, it converts readily to retinoids, associated with a risk of birth defects in people using acne medications containing them.  As a precaution, pregnant women may want to avoid sunscreens with retinyl palmitate," the magazine said.  "More research is needed, but as of now, the proven benefits of sunscreen outweigh any potential risks".  But warning pregnant women against using sunscreen with retinyl palmitate based on the findings of animal studies with retinyl palmitate based on the findings of animal studies that use much higher doses that can be absorbed through the skin is unwarranted, said Dr. Gideon Koren, director of the Motherisk program at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children.  "Scaring pregnant women is a national sport both here and in the United States," Koren said in an interview Wednesday.  "The rat studies have never shown sunscreen to cause malformations".  "There have been no studies in humans to show that there have been any problems," said Dr. Cheryl Rosen, a dermatologist at Toronto Western Hospital and director of the Canadian Dermatology Association's sun awareness program.  "I really do think we need to look at sunscreens in a positive note because the benefits outweigh the risks that are mostly theoretical.  We don't have actual risk".  The cancer society recommends that people: Choose a sunscreen that is water resistant with an SPF of at least 30, reapply your sunscreen every two hours and after swimming or sweating, and make sure the product offer both UVA and UVB protection, usually labelled "broad-spectrum".

My Opinion of Article:

I totally agree with article and believe that the type of sunscreen you buy should always offer protection from both UVA and UVB.  It is essential that it be water resistant because usually when you use sunscreen, you go swimming gas well.  If you don't apply the right sunscreen, as said in the article, you could end up burned, or even with skin cancer.  This would be a terrible situation and is not worth the risk, especially for a cause that can be stopped by simply just buying sunscreen with the right amount of protection.  People all across the world need to take this subject a lot more seriously and should definitely consider making the best decision when buying sunscreen

Colon Cancer Screening Reaches Too Few: Report

Summary of Article:

Wider use of home screening tests for colorectal cancer would prevent unnecessary deaths, the Canadian Cancer Society says.  Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in Canada, with 8,900 Canadian expected to die from the disease this year, according to the group's annual cancer statistics, released on Wednesday.  The society estimated that between 10,000 and 15,000 deaths could be prevented over the next decade if 80% of Canadians age 50 and older were screened as recommended.  The society recommends that these Canadians get screened every two years with a simple stool test known as fecal occult blood test (FOBT), and the fecal immunochemical test (FIT).  The tests detect trace amounts of blood in the stool, which can be a sign of colorectal cancer.  Detecting cancer in people who have no symptoms is a major goal of cancer screening, said Gillian Bromfield, senior manager of Cancer Control Policy for the Canadian Cancer Society.  Canadians who have discussed colorectal cancer screening with their doctors are more than twice as likely to get screened regularly, Bromfield added.  The group recommends the following: maximizing regular participation and retention in screening programs and enhancing their quality, improving Canadians' awareness about screening and the fact that screening is for people with no symptoms, and more research into the risk factors for colorectal cancer and effective prevention and treatment.  Blogger Derek Miller died of colon cancer two weeks ago.  The Canadian Cancer Society estimates that roughly 8,900 people will die of the disease this year.

My Opinion of Article:

I think this is extremely important and everyone should be tested for colon cancer.  If these screenings are available, and can show a sign of colorectal cancer, why  not take it?  Many people who have cancer, often find it late and find it only when it has spread throughout their body.  If you can take a screening, you will find about the cancer earlier, before it spreads to the rest of the body.  These screenings can potentially save many lives and can hopefully be the start of the end of colon cancer.  8,900 people are estimated to die from colon cancer, this year alone.  This is way too many people to die for a cause that can be helped with these screenings.

Active Lifestyle Promoted in $50K Prize

Summary of Article:

Overcoming obstacles to encourage Canadians to lead healthier, more active lives will be the focus of a major new research award in Montreal.  On Tuesday, McGill University launched the Bloomberg Manulife Prize for the Promotion of Active Health.  The $50,000 annual award will go to an academic whose work within the past five years has broadened understanding of how physical activity, nutrition, or psychosocial factors influence personal health and well-being.  "I want the Bloomberg Manulife Prize to help create a shift in people's attitudes toward healthy living," Bloomberg, a McGill graduate, philanthropist and financial executive, said in release.  The award will fund research not only to understand the issues behind illness, but also to foster active behaviours and positive lifestyle choices, said Hélène Perreault, McGill's dean of education and a professor of exercise physiology.  Only about 15% of adults and 7% of children move enough to get substantial health benefits, Statistics Canada said in January.  Earlier targets of 90 minutes for youth ages 5 to 17, and 30-60 minutes daily for adults have been lowered to 60 minutes for youth, and 150 minutes a week for adults.  The winner of the Montreal prize is expected to be announced in the fall of 2011.  The award will be money to fuel ongoing research, and the recipient will be invited to deliver a public lecture. 

My Opinion of Article:

I believe this award is a great idea and not only will it help further research, it will push people to keep healthy and exercise daily.  Staying active and healthy is one of the most important things in life and getting motivation to exercise and eat proper foods is hard.  However, I believe with this award, more people will start doing this.  I am not that shocked that the amount of exercise time has been lowered and numbers in that category have been dropping because our world is slowly getting taken over by technology.  I am however happy that McGill University made this award and I know the recipient will use the money to good use and improve everyone, to make a healthier world.

Canadians' Love Of Texting Bigger Than Ever

Summary of Article:

Canada may be the birthplace of the BlackBerry and mobile e-mail, and we're among the world's most obsessed users of Facebook, but it hasn't stopped us from engaging in relatively old-school form of electronic messaging: texting.  In fact, texting on cellphones, a feature first offered in Canada in 2002, is bigger than ever.  According to the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, 56.4 billion texts were sent in Canada in 2010, up 60% from the 35.3 billion sent the previous year.  Canadians have more and more digital messaging options nowadays including: e-mail, social networks, and chat programs, but there's something about texting that's stuck with consumers, said association spokesman Marc Choma.  "I think text messaging has a certain appeal just because it is so instant and so quick and all you have to know is a person's phone number," Choma said.  An anonymous person also said, "If I want to able to get a hold of my kids there seems to be something innate in young people that they feel compelled to respond to a text message  almost instantly.  I can try to call, or leave a voice message, or e-mail, but for some reason a text seems to get a much more imediate response.  The number of texts sent in 2009 was up 70% over the previous year, and in 2008 there was an annual increase of 105%.

My Opinion of Article:

I am surprised by this article, and not surprised at the same time. I wasn't aware that the percent of texts sent had gone up the past two years but am not surprised at the fact that people are more likely to respond to texts instead of other communicational devices.  It makes more sense that people are more likely to respond to texts, because as stated in the article, it is much quicker and easier to respond to a text.  There is an almost guaranteed chance that your message will get sent if you have signal, and you can say what you want.  You can also choose to reply to it or reply, whereas if you used a phone, it wouldn't be realistic to hang up on someone.  This article and these studies have also shown how dependant our world is on technology.  Instead of going to face to face with someone and talking to them, we send a message from across schools, etc.  It is a good device to communicate, but from the rates it is going at, the whole world will eventually text, and be taken over by technology.

High Coffee Intake Tied To Lower Prostate Cancer Risk

Summary of Article:

Men who drink six cups of coffee a day showed a lower risk of developing a deadly type of prostate cancer compared with nondrinkers, a large U.S study suggests.  The study by researchers at the Harvard school of Public Health compared risk of aggressive prostate cancer among 47,911 U.S men in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study.  Participants reported their coffee consumption every four years from 1986 to 2008.  During the study period, 5,035 cases of prostate cancer were reported, including 642 fatal or metastatic cases, Lorelei mucci, an associate professor of epidemiology at Harvard and her co-authors reported in Tuesday's online  issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.  "In conclusion, men who consumed coffee regularly had a reduced risk of lethal or advanced prostate cancer," the study's author wrote:  "It is premature to recommend that men increase coffee intake to reduce advanced prostate cancer risk based on this single study.  In addition, the effects of coffee consumption or other aspects of health must be considered in making consumption recommendations".

My Opinion of Article:

I believe this study can be very important, especially if people are very concerned about getting prostate cancer.  If drinking a certain amount of coffee a day can actually reduce chances of prostate cancer, it is good news.  However, there are also side effects of drinking coffee, and as the article stated, this is just one of many studies to be investigated and we shouldn't all start drinking coffee, without knowing if there are any disadvantages.  While this could be good news, in particular for people worried about prostate cancer, however, I believe it is still to early to take any chances, as their could be more cons than pros.

Osama Bin Laden Dead, Obama Announces

Summary of Article:

Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind behind al-Qaida, is dead, President Obama announces from the White House.  Known as the most sought-after terrorist since the attacks of September 11, 2011, President Barack Obama has announced that he has finally been killled by a US operation.  When President Barack Obama was addressing the nation, he states that he was killed in a "targeted operation" in Abbottabad, a highland town north of Islamabad.  The operation started with an intelligence lead last August, and culminated in an operation involving a "small team of Americans".  "After a firefight they killed bin Laden".  None of the Americans was killed and Pakistani co-operation "helped to lead us to him", he said.  Osama's body is currently in possession of the US, according to the first reports from the US television networks.  As the news spread, crowds gather outside the gates of the White House in Washington DC, singing the national anthem and cheering.  President Obama made the highly unusually Sunday night live statement to announce the news at around 11:30 p.m Eastern time.  Bin Laden's capture comes eight years to the day that President George Bush declared "mission accomplished" in Iraq.  As president, Bush declared he wanted Bin Laden "dead or alive" -- but it is now the unlikely figure of Barack Obama who has been able to announce the final triumph as US commander-in-chief.  This is a turning point in the global "war on terrorism" that has been waged since 9/11 -- and the news will revereberate around the world.

My Opinion of Article:

I agree with this article and believe it is definately a turning point in the global "war on terrorism".  Too many lives were lost during 9/11 and too much war has been going on, mostly because of Bin Laden's doing.  I also believe this will definitely give Barack Obama great respect and recognition.  Former President of the United States, George Bush has been trying for years to find Osama Bin Laden and has been unsucessful.  I feel many people will respect Barack Obama more and gain more trust towards their country's leader.  I also feel that although killing Bin Laden won't bring back the lives that were lost, people will have more comfort, now knowing that the one who killed their loved ones, is finally dead.  While there is still mourning in the world, from that terrible day on September 11th, we now know the man behind the scenes can no longer harm anymore people.

Allergy season 'one of worst'

Summary of Aritcle:

There may be a dusting of truth to allergy sufferers' complaints that this season will be a bigger 'headache' than the past years.  Heave snow and rain in some parts of the country have nourished a profusin of tree pollen, while a sudden shift to warm, sunny weather has make it realease more robust.  This is in addition to the wind, and the suffering skyrockets.  Warnings for a difficult season have come from allergy specialists from New York to Atlanta, and Chicago to California.  "This past week has been one of the worst ever," rasped Lynne Ritchie, 70, as she bought allergy medicine his week at a Manhattan drugstore.  Dr. Stanley Schwartz hears that from patients all the time -- every year , in fact, he noted with a wry smile.  "Literally, every year is hte worst year," said Schwartz. April was a historic month for weather, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and West Virginia all set records for the wettest April since 1895.  Pollen counts and allergy attacks vary widely from region to region, locality to locality and day to day.  However, this year, signs really do point to a particularly 'prickly' season.  Dr. Joseph Leija, the allergist who performs the Gottlieb Allergy count for the Midwest, said last month that tree pollen was unseasonably high in Chicago and predicted "one of the wost allergy seasons ever.

My Opinion of Article:

I know tons of people who have allergies, some very serious.  I do believe they need to look out for the weather, as it seems to be getting worse every year.  If pollen counts are getting gradually greater every year, people to ensure that they have the proper medication and are prepared incase it gets really bad.  I am not really surprised by the years getting worse and worse as the weather is becoming more unpredictable and unusual as years go by.  These doctor's facts do not suprise me.  While I do believe it is important to have medication, it is not a huge deal and people shouldn't be too concered about it.  However, I am glad that there is awareness with regards to allergies and it should be a problem shown to people with allergies.

Teens Drive Better With More Sleep: Study

Summary of Article:

According to a new U.S study, teen drivers who start school earlier in the morning may be prone to more automobile accidents.  Studies suggest that the students may not be so alert, since early school start times may promote sleep loss and daytime sleepiness.  This was published in the Journal of Clincial Sleep Medicine, the study's lead author, Dr. Robert Vorona, said that starting high school laterin the morning might make young drivers more alert because they get more sleep.  The study compared school start times and automobile crash rates for students aged 16 to 18 in Virginia Beach, where high school classes began between 7:20 a.m. and 7:25 a.m., to students at schools in Chesapeake, where classes started between 8:40 a.m. and 8:45 a.m.  There were 65.8 autmobile crashes for every 1,000 teen drivers in Virginia Beach, and 46.6 crashes for every 1,000 teen drivers in Chesapeake.  The comparisons were made in 2008, and were similar to the results in 2007.  "We believe that high schools should take a close look at having later start times to align with circadian rhythms in teens and to allow for longer sleep times, " said Vorona who is an associate professor of internal medicine at Eastern Virgina Medical School.  "Too many teens in this country obtain insufficient sleep.  Increasingly, the literature suggests that this may lead to problematic consequences including mood disoders, academic difficulties and behavioural issues."  Another study in the April edition of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine suggests that delaying schools start times by one hour could improve attention levels and performance, and reduce mistakes.  The Israeli study of 14-year old, eighth-grade students found those teens who slept 55 minutes longer each night performed better on tests that require attention.

My Opinion of Article:

I am not suprised by this these studies or this article at all.  Having the right amount of sleep is crucial and can definately affect your studies.  It is best to have a minimum of 8 hours of sleep and if you don't get the proper amount, you will spend more time sleeping than studying or paying attention in class.  In my opinion, it is hard enough to get up at 7:20 rather than being at school at 7:20.  On top of homework the night before, and extra-curricular activities you may have, it is definately an early wake up time that may not always give you your eight hours of sleep.  More importantly, if you don't get your sleep it is harder to stay awake and can result in you not staying awake in the important times, such as driving.  Driving is one of the most crucial times you need all your energy and can result in the loss of other people's lives if you don't pay attention.  If schools that start really early pushed their starting time even an hour later, it could save lives.  For the safety of others, schools need to take it seriously. 

New Mothers At Risk Of Obesity: Study

Summary of Article:

Mothers of young-children may be risking their health by drinking more sugar-sweetened beverages and eating more saturated fat compared with childless women.  The finding comes from researches at the University of Minnesota Medical School who examined the diets, physical activity and body mass index (BMI) of 838 women and 682 men.  The study was published Monday in the journal Pediatrics.  The researchers suggested some explanations for the differences between female participants.  "Mothers may find it easier and less time-consuming to cook more palatable, yet high-fat food for children (e.g. macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets) and to eat more snack foods with children," they write.  "Mothers may also modify their milk consumption habits, including drinking the higher fat milk than their children drink."  The authors say there is little research into the diet and exercise patterns of parents of young children, but it is important to understand because healthy and unhealthy habits can become ingrained and transmitted to children.  Study participants completed a questionnaire about how often they consumed certain foods and how many hours they spent during various physical activities.  They were also asked to provide their height and weight in order for researchers to determine their BMI.  The results were average 2,360 calories a day, compared with 1,992 calories for women of the same age who did not have children.  The mothers also got 10.3 percent of their calories from saturated fat, compared with 9.5 percent for women without children.  The same studies were done with dads, however, it did not show any appreciable differences in the eating habits of fathers compared to men without children.  Most of the saturated fat we eat comes from meat, milk, butter, lard, coconut, palm and palm kernel oils.  Consuming too much of this kind of fat is a risk factor for obesity and cardiovascular disease.  When it came to physical activity, mothers reported an average of 2.36 hours of moderate to vigorous activity a week.  Women without children reported 3.19 hours of such activity.  "Young adults may continue these behaviours into adulthood, putting them at high risk for obesity.  In addition, the modelling of poor dietary intake and physical activity may influence children's health behaviour," the researchers write.


My Opinion of Article:

I believe all these facts make sense and are nowhere out of the ordinary.  It makes complete sense that women who are new mothers are at risk of obesity.  When you first have a kid, your life becomes more rushed and it takes time getting used to.  Most of the time, you won't have time to make a meal that takes a long time to cook and will have to resort to foods that are easier and faster to make such as macaroni and cheese, and ravioli.  Obviously, cooking a 10 minute meal such as macaroni and cheese would be more high in fat than cooking a meal that takes 45 minutes to make is healthier so it makes sense that new mothers would be at more risk of obesity.  However, it does kind of shock me that dads did not have a change as they would eat the same meal as the mother and the children.  This may be because when you get pregnant you gain weight and could be easier to eat fatty foods.  I also believe that it could influence a child's behaviour but if you fix your diet when your kid is well grown, it won't be a problem.

Tories Fall, Election set for May.

Summary of Article:

After more than five years as the leader of minority government, Prime Minister Stephen Harper finally lost the confidence of the House of Commons last Friday and asked Governor General David Johnston last Saturday morning to dissolve Parliament for a general election.  This is widely expected to be held on May 2.  It is said that no Prime Minister of a minority government in Canada's history went as long as Harper without losing a vote of confidence.   Harper told reporters that the vote disappoints him and will most likely disappoint all Canadians.  He also says that instead of an election, Canadians, in his opinion would have preferred Parliament to have an approved budget.  He called it, "the next phase of Canada's economic action plan", and says that "it is critically important of Canada's economic recovery".  His opponents disagree and believe that it is time for a change.  They said that the government's priorities were not those of Canadians and that Harper was displaying what Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe said was "a repugnant attitude" and an "ideological agenda".  Liberals, Bloquistes, and New Democrats, all 156 of them, voted in favour.  Conservatives and two independant MPs, all 145 of them, voted against.   "Mr. Harper has demonstrated that he and his Conservatives have really no interest in working with other parties.  He made a choice, and that choice was to take us into an election," Layton said.  "And so our goal is to lay out a program that will put families first, as we've always done, and to defeat Conservatives in this upcoming election.

My Opinion of Article:

I think this topic is a big topic and is a case in which we must take seriously.  I agree with both Harper and the Liberals, Bloquistes, and New Democrats at the same time.  First of all, Stephen Harper is right int he fact that Canadians will be disappointed by this action.  I take it that most of them are, including me.  This is because it will most likely take a lot of money for the election.  Is another election really worth using that much money?  On the other hand, I agree with the Liberals, Bloquistes, and New Democrats in the sense  that if it is critically important for Canada's economy, I would like the best to happen.  My opinion is on both sides and I only hope that we make the most and the best happens by using so much money for this election.

Hormone Injection Diet Raises Cautions

Summary of Article:

Hormones such as hCG can be injected as part of a weight-loss plan.  This is a diet fad from the 1970s that claims to help people lose about half a kilogram a day.  This is again attracting a lot of attention and followers, despite the concerns of some doctors.  This diet involves either injecting or ingesting the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotroping, or hCG, in combination with an ultra low-calorie diet.  Proponents say the hormone suppresses the appetite by tricking the body into thinking it is pregnant.  This prompts the body to burn stored fat in places where dieters least want it, such as the upper arms, belly, and thighs.  Dianne Gariepy of Edmonton, has taken hCG drops on and off since October.  She recommends it to anyone who wants to shed unwanted pounds without feeling hungry.  Gariepy currently has diabetes and credits the hormone with helping her to lose weight.  She now only has take a third as much insulin as she used to need.  This regimen combines hCG with a 500-calorie a day diet.  This is the equivalent of two slices of lean turkey on whole wheat bread, one slice of cheese, some lettuce, a little mustard, an apple, and one cup of skim milk.  Gariepy started selling hCG drops on the Internet but was shutdown quickly.  Health Canada shut this down because hCG is suppose to be only available by prescription for use in fertility treatments.  There are said to be risks of using hCG and Dr. Tom Ransom even warns that hCG has no benefit and carries risk. These risks include headaches, depression, acne, hair loss, breast tenderness, and in rare cases, blood clots that can be fatal if they travel to the lungs. "Any doctor who prescribes it for weight loss is either ignorant of weight loss and what hCG does or they're really slimy charlatans who are taking advantage of people's desperateness to lose weight", Ransom said.

My Opinion of Article:

I totally think Gariepy's idea is crazy and is abusing the treatment that we have.  Yes, it does help you lose weight, but at what cost?!  It is definately not worth losing your life for.  I also strongly agree with Dr. Tom Ransom's point of view.  He is 100 percent correct and it is true, people who sell this or promote it are "taking advantage of people's desperateness to lose weight".  If you really want to lose weight, exercise, eat healthy and work for it.  It takes more time, but its a much bigger accomplishment than injecting drugs into you.  It is like using steroids.  If you really want to get strong, go to the gym everyday.  Doctors like Dr. Tom Ransom need to point out to people promoting hCG that this is not the right way to lose weight.  The true way of losing weight is a healthy lifestyle with plenty of exercise.  Taking the time to exercise is well worth it over losing your life or getting ill.

Mental Health in Workplace Matters More Than You Think

Summary of Article:

When it comes to the pressing priorities of an average entrepreneur, managing the mental health of staff is most likely not one to come to mind.  Concern about whether or not employees are feeling good about their work and their lives likely has to take a backseat to issues related to surviving this tough economy.  This includes improving sales or reducing expenses.  Whether or not small businesses are feeling any pressure to address these issues, the pressure is there on a number of aspects.  "For the first time in Canadian history, employers are confronted with a legal duty to maintain not only a physically safe workplace, but also a psychologically safe work environment." says a report done for the Mental Health Commission of Canada by Dr. Martin Shain of the University of Toronto.  The report, called "Tracking the Perfect Legal Storm, outlines a variety of developments in Canadian courtrooms that indicate the legal system is less tolerant of workplace factors that threaten psychological "safety".  Also, increasingly large fines are being imposed on companies that don't consider the toll their workplace policies may take on employees' mental health.  There are not just legal risks connected to ignoring mental health, but also the risk of lost productivity.

My Opinion of Article:

This topic is something that businesses all around the world should be aware of.  It is amazing how many people are affected by their business's environment and affect them mentally.  Personally, I know of someone who doesn't enjoy going to work because he does not feel it is a psychologically safe work environment.  This not only causes him to lose interest and be less productive in the company, but also destroys the companies reputation.  Ensuring healthy mental health is very important and a good example of this is the company Google.  Google ensures not only ensures healthy mental health, but makes employees feel safe while having fun.  They are listed as the number one workplace to work at and do this by offering leisure facilities and more.  I think in order for companies to improve employee's mental health and to ensure that they are safe, they should look up to Google and aspire to be like them.  Google is a good role model in that aspect and would help companies solve this very important issue.

Women Are Changing the Face of Medicine

Summary of Article:

The number of women in Canadian medical schools have been growing steadily for the past 30 years.  In numbers, this has improved from 14.3% in 1968/1969, to an astonishing 57.7% today.  Although, while women have been responsbile for some significant changes in medicine in recent years, there are still very few women moving into medical executive positions in this country.  Dr. Noni MacDonald, the first woman to be named a dean of medicine in Canada, notes that at the moment that there is only one female dean of medicine among the country's 17 medical schools.  Currently, there is only one female dean, Dr. Catharine Whiteside at the University of Toronto.  "We seriously need to get more women in top positions, the upper management structure needs to be changed" says Macdonald.  "There's too much internal politics that is often not attrictive to women.  Women often just turn away.  I see it very much still as an oldy boys' club".  Dr. Cheryl Rowe, a community psychiatrist in Toronto, also feels this is an area that needs improvement.  "Women are not as well represented in academic positions, in leadership positions within the hospital.  There is recognition that women need to be offered more leadership positions and the Canadian Medical Association has a whole leadership stream of courses that they offer particularly to women".  Women have already bought many of their strengths to the field of medicine, says Macdonald.  These include better work-life balance for doctors, more doctors doing international aid work, the teaching of improved communication skills, and team initiatives.

My Opinion of Article:

I 100 percent agree with all of what Dr. Noni Macdonald and Dr. Cheryl Rowe had to say.  It is true that women have contributed a great deal to the medicine field and they should be recognized and rewarded for their accomplishments.  If you look back in the past, women didn't even have rights or a say in anything.  They weren't even considered human.  Throughout the years society has made great progress and has learned to accept everyone, not matter what gender, race, etc.  I think we need to look back and realize how women have changed our world.  They are just as equal as men and should definately have more top positions for them.  It is shocking that there is only one dean of medicine in Canada out of the 17 medical schools.  This number should be way higher.  Women put the same amount of hard work as men do and shouldn't be treated differently just because of their gender.  I am glad that the percent of  the number of women in medical schools has improved from 14.3% in 1968/1969, to an astonishing 57.7% today, but in order for women to get top positions, we need to remember and show them that they do have rights and do have respect.

Mother Killed by Car Driven by Daughter

Summary of Article:

Police in Surrey, British Columbia are investigating the death of a mother who was killed by her own daughter in a fatal car accident in the driveway of their home.  The 36-year old daughter was returning home in a vehicle and was attempting to park in the garage when the mother was then struck, RCMP Cpl. Drew Grainger said.  "As the vehicle negotiated into the garage, for whatever reason, the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably, striking the driver's mother, who was in the garage, " Granger said.  "She sustained devasting injuries".  The women, who was only 52, was transported to a hospital where she then died.  This terrible incident occured at about 1 p.m PT at a townhome complex in the 12700 block of the 64th Avenue.  Grainger said investigators do not suspect foul play.

My Opinion of Article:

I believe this is a terible incident and is something no daughter or human should have to bear.  Killing someone by accident is always tragic and especially tragic if it is a family member or your own mother.  I have so much sympathy for the daughter and hope she can recover from this horrible incident.  I also give my respects to the mother that had died that day as she was so young at the age of 52.  I know if I had accidently murdered a family member or anyone at all, I would be devasted for life and could not forgive myself.  However, I hope the daughter can and realize accidents happen even horrible ones.  I think she will be more cautious in the future when going into a driveway and never forget this tragic day.

Recycled Packing Raises Health Questions

Summary of Article:

Breakfast cereal manufacturers in Europe are weighing to their packaging after research points to potential harmful health effects from recycled cardboard.  Swiss researches found mineral oils in packaging that is made from recycled newspapers.  These oils, which come rom printing ink, could get into foods such as cereal, pasta and rice, the UK Press Association said Tuesday (March 08, 2011).  Koni Grob, of the government-run Food Safety Laboratory in Zurich, said toxicologists linked the oils to two effects in rats: inflammation of internal organs, and cancer.  "One meal has no real effect on health.  It is a matter of long-term exposure," Grob told the BBC.  He was referring to a Swiss study where researchers tested 119 products purchased at German supermarkets last year.  Products with thicker and more expensive inner lining bags appeared to block oil from contaminating foods.  The same is also true for Aluminum foil, which acts as a barrier. 

My Opinion of Article:

I believe this is something that we need to look out for in the near future.  Foods are getting contaminated for no reason and people could get seriously ill or even die becuase of it.  If we want to enjoy our cereals and pasta, we are going to need to check and make sure the packing is thicker.  This might cost a bit more but if we want to enjoy the food we have, it is well worth it.  Cancer and the inflammation of internal organs is extremely dangerous and getting either shouldn't be because of eating everyday foods.  If you are going to get cancer, it is best to get it from something we have no control of.  As for packing foods, we do have control of this.  This needs to be fixed right away so we can enjoy foods without having to worry about the inflammation of internal organs or cancer.

'National Dialogue' to Tackle Childhood Obesity

Summary of Article:

The federal and provincial health ministers launched a new strategy Monday to curb the rising rates of obesity in children.  This initiative is billed as a "national dialogue" and it seeks to identify ways to promote healthier lifestyles for children.  Federal Health Minister Leona Agulukkaq announced the "Our Health Our Future" project in Toronto.  A new website will serve as an online forum and a report with recommendations that will be presented at a national summit this fall where federal, provincial, and territorial health ministers will decide on future actions.  "We have an alarming trend among our children in the last decade,", Aglukkaq said.  "Too many of them are overweight, too many of them are obese...this has to be reversed". "We need to get to the roots of what causes people to become overweight or obese and then kickstart a program, a long-term movement to change it, " Aglukkaq said.  This project will involve identifying the conditions that contribute to unhealthy weights such as how communities are designed, the availability of foods, the influence of advertising, and how much time youth spend in front of television and computer screens, according to the minister.  The number of children who are overweight or obese has been rising steadily in Canada.  In fact, more than one in four children and youth in Canada are considered overweight or obese and increases in the rates are highest among teenagers.

My Opinion of Article:

This is an extremely important article and I'm extremely happy that health ministers and people such as Aglukkaq are doing something about this issue to raise awarness.  Everyone is aware about obesity and being overweight but I do not think people realize the increasing numbers and the increase in percentage.  As said in the article, one in four children and youth in Canada are considered overweight or obese.  This is 25 percent of all children and youth in Canada!  Obviously we have to do something about this issue and start identifiying the problems fast.  Also mentioned in the article is how much time youth spend in front of television and computer screens.  I believe this is one of the biggest factors when it comes to obesity and people being overweight.  Television and computer screens are entertainment and are good to a certain extent.  Many people, including myself do not spend as much time outside or exercising as much as they should.  This is also very bad because when you watch television or play on the computer, you are more likely to have a snack while doing so.  So not only are you not getting exercise, but also digesting unhealthy foods.  This is not an issue that can be solved in a year, but can be solved if the effort is put in by everybody.  This will always be a challenge as new technology is always being developed causing society to get lazier, but I do however feel we can bring the percentage of obese and overweight people down.

Many Dont' Understand When Not to Call 911: Study

Summary of Article:

An online survey of 150 adults in the U.K found that most people know they should call an ambulance when someone appears to be having a heart attack or other life-threatening medical emergencies but many don't understand when an ambulance is not needed for less urgent situations like going into early stages of labour.  This survey presented 12 common medical scenarios, five that require an ambulance to be called and five that would not.  Almost all participants correctly identified at least three of the five scenarios in which  911 call is needed but, however, one in four did not recognize the need to call for an ambulance in the case of a possible stroke.  The scenarios that required 911 assistance are middle-aged man with pains in his chest, possible acetaminophen overdose, traffic accident victim, Older person slurring his words after not having had any alcohol (possible stroke), and 4-year-old with high temperature and stiff neck (possible meningitis).  When it came to situations when a 911 call is not needed, the respondents didn't do so well.  Most only could pick up two out of the seven scenarios in which there would be no need for an ambulance.  These were the scenarios when no 9-11 call is needed:  Women going into the early stages of labour, man with chronic back pain who has run out of painkillers, Drunk man being sick (but not unconscious), 3-year old with a toy stuck up his nose, an episode of blood in the urine, toddler with a bruise on his head, and knife cut on the palm of the hand that is not bleeding heavily.  Between 5% and 48% would have dialed 911 for these situations.  Authors conclude that more widespread education on when to call for emergency care would be useful and would help cut costs from unnecessary ambulance calls.  It would also ensure that those who do need emergency assistance can get it.

My Opinion of Article:

Although some people may believe this is an issue that is not useful and not important, I believe it is the opposite.  Many people are not aware when to call 9-11 or don’t know when they shouldn’t call 9-11.  Many lives would be saved if people knew when to call 9-11, but because we don’t know when to, many lives are often lost.  I could also say the same about people who do not know when they shouldn’t call 9-11.  As said in the article, tons of people call everyday about situations that could be solved without 9-11 assistance. This is extremely important as people who do need the assistance of 9-11 can get it.  If people do not know when to call 9-11 and when they shouldn’t call 9-11, lives are being thrown away recklessly.  This does not only go for other people, but for me as well.  I am also not 100% sure when to call 9-11 and I feel that a memo or website that shows when to call 9-11 would really help me out.  It is good how these authors are raising the awareness of this problem and it is something that should be discussed with everyone.

Sit Less, Kids and Teens Advised

Summary of Article:

Canadian children and teens should spend no more than two hours a day sitting and watching TV or playing video games, new guidelines say.  The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology followed up on January's physical activity guidelines saying that mounting evidence supports the need to limit sedentary behaviour as a health issue distinct from moving around more.  Studies from this group show that children and youth spend an average of 8.6 hours per day, or 62% of their walking hours being sedentary.  In an ideal day, the majority of time would be spent engaging in light intensity activity such as cooking, about 25% of the day sitting, and the rest of the day spent doing moderate-intensity activities like cycling and vigorous-intensity activities like playing hockey.  The new sedentary guidelines apply to school children who are between the ages 5-11 and youth ages between 12-17.  These guidelines suggest that you limit recreational screen time to no more than two hours per day and lower levels of sedentary time carry more health benefits, and limit motorized transport such as traveling by car or bus, extended sitting and time spent indoors throughout the day.  Following these guidelines can help children and teens maintain a healthy body weight, improve cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal fitness, academic achievement, self-esteem, and social behaviours.

My Opinion of Article:

These guidelines are a good way for parents to influence kids into a more active lifestyle but I believe it will not stop children and youth  from doing this.  As days go by, technology is getting better and more advanced.  Unfortunately, this has caused society to get lazier because machines do stuff for us.  I also find it shocking how children and youth spend an average of 8.6 hours of day sitting and not moving.  This is a very high number and it makes you realize how much time of each day is wasted.  In order for these guidelines to have an effect on children and youth, parents are going to have to strictly moderate children's and youth's time indoors.  It is their job to make sure we have equal amount of time indoors and outdoors.  They need to show their children or youth how much you can do outside and take advantage of what nature has to offer.  I feel if parents can achieve this, children and youth lifestyle will change for the better and can do this through these guidelines.

E-cigarette Use Not Allowed on U.S Flights

Summary of Article:

The U.S Department of Transportation says that the use of smokeless electronic cigarettes on airplanes are prohibited and plans to issue an official ban this spring.  This was stated from a letter by the Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood obtained by The Association Press.  E-cigarettes are plastic and metal devices that heat  liquid nicotine solution in a disposable cartridge, creating vapor that the smoker inhales.  A tiny light at the tip of the cigarette even "glows", making it appear like a real cigarette.  In the letter to Senator Frank Lautenburg of New Jersey, LaHood said the department has been informing airlines and the public that it interprets smoking regulations to include e-cigarettes.  Lautenburg, who wrote the 1987 law that banned smoking on airplanes, had asked transportation officials to clarify the rule. E-cigarette disturbers have praised the convenience of the smokeless cigarettes because they can be "smoked" anywhere where traditional cigarettes are not allowed.  "We still don't know the health effects of e-cigarettes, and we don't want to turn airline passengers into laboratory mice," Lautenburg said in an emailed statement.  The future of e-cigarettes is likely to be decided by the Food and Drum Administration and just last year, the FDA lost a court case last year after trying to treat e-cigarettes as drug-delivery devices.

My Opinion of Article:

I believe e-cigarettes are tremendously helpful for smokers and non-smokers.  It will help smokers quit and even though it is not great for you, it is better than smoking traditional cigarettes.  It is also helpful for people who don't smoke because they get to be free of smokers and second-hand smoke.  In regards to e-cigarettes not being allowed on planes, I totally agree with this.  Planes are originally smoke-free.  One of the advantages of e-cigarettes is that they are allowed in locations where traditional cigarettes are not.  Although this may be true, when you are on a plane you are travelling high up in the air and it can be extremely dangerous if a fire occurs.  We do not know all of the effects of e-cigarettes and even if we do, we shouldn't take any chances.  As Lautenburg said, "We still don't know the health effects of e-cigarettes, and we don't want to turn airline passengers into laboratory mice,".  Also, most plane rides are only a couple hours long.  If someone can't last without a smoke for that long and have to resort to e-cigarettes, e-cigarettes may make the addiction worse.  E-cigarettes should be no exception especially when it comes to things that can be dangerous such as plane rides.  I also believe we are very fortunate to have departments that look out for us and even things we don't think of dangers of.

Obama Has Quit Smoking, Wife says

Summary of Article:

President Barrack Obama has finally kicked his habit, says first lady (Michelle Obama).  "Yes he has", says the first lady when asked from reporters whether her husband had finally done what millions of Americans can't seem to do and quit smoking.  It has been almost a year since President Obama quit.  There are no details on when he quit or how he quit and our first lady says "he never smoked a lot" and she "never saw him light up".  Obama is known to have chewed nicotine gum to help and after his medical checkup as President last year, the White House physicician said that Obaba should stick with "smoking cessation efforts", the use of nicotine gum.  One in five adults in the United States or 46 million people still smoke and tens of millions more are regularly exposed to seconhandsmoke.  The rate of smoking has dropped dramatically in the United States since 1964 when the first surgeon general's report declared tobacco deadly.  The government had hoped to drop the smoking rate to 12% by last year.  This goal was not only not acheived but has been pushed to 2020.

My Opinion of Article:

I believe this is a very big step not just for Obama and his family, but for the United States of America and around the world.  Everyday lives are being taken from smoking or second-hand smoke and people are dying from a bad addiction.  It is time for our world to realize and put a stop to smoking so we can live our lives without dying unnecessarily.  People see Obama as a role model and leader.  He is a role model and leader from different aspects to different people.  Since Obama stopped smoking this is a big step for smokers and non-smokers.  Even though he is the President of the United States, he still is a regular, everyday person like ourselves.  He sends the message that he can overcome any obstacle if he puts his mind to it and makes people (especially smokers) say if he can do it, why can't we?

Multiple Heart Scans Linked With Cancer Risk

Summary of Article:

In Canada and in the U.S., physicians are increasingly order imaging tests and treatments using low-dose ionizing radiation in people with heart disease or suspected of having it.  This is because, according to Canadian doctors, "Cancer risks increases slightly or heart patients who get multiple imaging scans with low-dose radiation".  Today, newer tests such as CT angiography and isotope scans have replaced earlier exams that traditionally did not use radiation.  The association of cancer and radiation exposure is now coming to light and more aware to people.  Because of this, cardiologists caution that these procedures be carefully considered.  "We were able to show that exposure to radiation from cardiac imaging was associated with an increased risk of cancer in this patient population".  This study was looked at hospital data on 82,861 patients who had a heart attack in Quebec between April 1996 and March 2006, but no history of cancer.  Of this number, 77% had at least one cardiac procedure with low-dose ionizing radiation within one year of attack.

My Opinion of Article:

I both agree and disagree with this article.  I agree with this article because it is true that we should always be aware of the new technology we are using.  Although the new technology is faster or shows more data, it could end up harming your body in the long run.  Numbers prove that 77% of the study had at least one cardiac procedure with low-dose ionizing radiation within one year of attack.  This means that a over 3 quarters of the people in the study were not aware of a problem that was caused by multiple image scanning.  We need to let our patients know what the consequences are of multiple image scanning and the harms of radiation.  I believe if we have new technology, it should be safe and without radiation.  It is definitely possible and could save patients without harming them if they take multiple image scans.  Although it may seem doctors are making a big deal out of this situation, it is better than making no deal at all and not realizing the ways we are harming our bodies and lives.

Wal-Mart Canada to Open 40 Supercentres

Summary of Article:

Wal-Mart Canada plans to open 40 new supercentres in the coming year.  They say that this move could generate more than 9,200 store and construction jobs.  The retail giant says it will open the new Canadian supercentres.  These supercentres combine groceries and general merchandise under one roof.  This started on February 1, 2011.  Wal-Mart Canada says it will invest roughly $500 million Canadian in the expansion.  This will involve building new locations, and rennovating and relocating some existing stores.  No new locations for the new stores have been announced but the company says it will be introducing the extra-large stores in Manitoba and Quebec for the first time.  Wal-Mart has opened its first Canadian supercentre in Ontario in 2006, and the format has since expanded to Alberta, B.C and Saskatchewan.  There has been positive feedback from customers and encourage the expansion.  "Our customers tell us they appreciate our supercentre format and the convenient one-stop shopping experience it provides," Schutta said.  At the end of this month, Wal-mart will have 325 stores, including 124 supercentres.

My Opinion of Article:

I believe this is a huge leap for Wal-Mart and a great idea.  This will help expand Wal-Mart throughout Canada and not only by their regular stores, but supercentres as well.  If they were just adding stores, I would not agree so much with their plan of action.  However, since they are adding stores and supercentres, I fully agree with their plan of action.  Adding supercentres not only advertises all of Wal-Mart's products, but has more variety of products all under one roof.  I know personally, whenever I go to Wal-Mart, I get the stuff I need but have to go to another store to get my groceries.  This is simply because there are not enough supercentres.  When I do go to supercentres, it is a fast and easy purchase as all the things I need to buy that day are in one store.  I do not need to drive anywhere else.  Supercentres seem to have a positive impact and I believe it is key if Wal-Mart wants their expansion to be successful.

Heart Findings 'wake-up call' for Canadians

Summary of Article:

The Heart and Stroke Foundation warns that Canadian seem to be in denial about their "couch potato" lifestyle and how it is robbing them of high quality years of life. They suggest that many people are not tackling risk factors that they could manage and control. The Heart and Stroke report showed that 90% of Canadians rated themselves as healthy but in reality, at least 9 out of 10 have at least one risk factor for heart disease and stroke. The Heart and Stroke Foundation also reported that "If we don't take the time to invest our health with making the lifestyle change, it will have a long-term consequence that could just be deadly". Examples of the deadliness of bad health and seriousness of this reports come from example Brian Campkin. Brian Campkin came on a tennis court four years ago and was 46 at the time. He suddenly felt abnormally winded during the warm-up and his breath got shorter as the match went on. His wife finally convinced and insisted him to go see the family doctor. After he got his tests back, an angiogram showed three of Campkin's arteries clogged 100%, 99%, and 86 %. This is "living proof that something can show up that fast", says Brian Campkin. This was Brian's wake-up call and made him live his life healthier and more aware.

My Opinion of Article:

I believe that the Heart and Stroke Foundation is 100%, no doubt correct on this issue. Many people believe do not know the risks of not exercising or living a healthy lifestyle and this is not right. As said in the article, at least 9 out of 10 people have at least one risk factor of heart disease and stroke. This means most of the people in our lives will end up sick if we don't do anything about it. It is about time for our world to know the dangers if you don't live a healthy lifestyle and act on this situation. We can do this by letting people know the dangers and encourage them and ourselves to live a healthy lifestyle and make good decisions. It is best to do this before we actually get health problems like the example with Brian Campkin. He was fortunate enough to live and get a second chance, however, some of us may not be as lucky.

Enbridge Boosts Ontario Solar Network

Summary of Article:

Enbridge Inc. is adding another 20 megawatts of power to its network with the addition of two new Ontario solar energy projects from First Solar Inc. for about $90 million dollars. Enbridge Inc. says that these projects in Tilbury and Amherstburg will generate enough to supply annual power to the equivalent of 3,200 homes. On a side note, Calgary-based Enbridge had recently added a 80 megawatt solar project from First Solar in Sarnia, Ont. Al Monaco, Enbridge's president of green energy says, "Renewable energy is well positioned to meet a significant portion of increasing demand for electricity". Construction of the projects in Tilbury was completed in December and about 89,000 solar panels occupy 6.1 hectares of space. In Amherstburg, two separate facilities that are 70 kilometers away will begin construction in March. This project includes 244,000 solar panels on seven hectares. These two projects combined, will save 10,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year. This generated power will be sold to the Ontario Power Authority under a 20-year agreement.

My Opinion of Article:

I think this is a great thing that Enbridge Inc. is doing. Not only does it save money, but also, it is a renewable resource that provides energy for homes. As stated in the article, the projects in Tilbury and Amherstburg will generate enough to supply annual power to 3,200 homes. This means that 3,200 homes will get the energy needed in their home, with no pollution to our Earth. As stated before, this will save 10,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year. This is a lot of carbon dioxide and now it can be used for something else. I believe if we become mostly dependant on solar networks, our Earth will become a greener environment, while saving money and providing energy for our homes at the same time. This is truly a big step in environmental preservation.

Half of Americans Told to Cut Salt

Summary of Article:

Within the U.S government, The Agriculture and Health and Human Services department issues new dietary guidelines. The U.S government is telling half of the American population to drastically cut their daily salt intake. These guidelines are issued every five years and are directed and told to people who are 51 and older, all African-Americans, and anyone suffering from hypertension, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease. The main message sent out to this group is to "reduce daily sodium intake to little more than a teaspoon". This group includes roughly half of the population. The rest of the population is told to limit to about a teaspoon of salt or 2,300 milligrams of salt. Some of the ways to reduce salt intake include: Reading nutrition labels closely, buy items low in salt, use very little or no salt when cooking, consume more fresh or home-prepared foods so they know exactly what they are eating, ask that salt not be added to foods at restaurants, and gradually reduce salt intake over time to get used to the taste. These were featured in the dietary guidelines. The Institute of Medicine says, "It could take to get used to the taste of a lower-salt diet" and the Food and Drug Administration says, "it will pressure companies to take voluntary actions before it moves to regulate salt intake". Most of the assault on salt is aimed directly at the food industry and it is unclear if the industries will be able to cut enough to satisfy the new guidelines.

My Opinion of Article:

I strongly agree with the U.S government and the Agriculture and Health and Human Services departments. A good amount of our population is overweight with high cholesterol due to the over-intake of salt. I also believe that these guidelines are important reminder that everyone should keep with them, healthy or not. Today, tons of fast food restaurants put so much salt into their foods. While this tastes good, it is very bad for you as it contains a high amount of salt. In order to make a big change in our health in regards to salts, we have to force fast foods to only use a certain amount of salt. This might not taste the best and might be a work in progress in the fast food business, but it is the only way to fix our world's cholesterol. I feel if we not only limit our salts in our home-made meals, follow the dietary guidelines, and monitor the level of salts in fast food restaurants, only then will we be able to solve our world's cholesterol issues.