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Potential strategies to improve childhood immunization rates in Canada | Canadian Paediatric Society

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Immunization rates in Canada are suboptimal. Strategies such as making immunization mandatory for child care or school entry and financial incentives are used in other countries. Additional strategies that could work in the Canadian context include requiring accurate immunization records at school entry, implementing immunization registries at the provincial/territorial level, educating parents and school-aged children about vaccine-preventable diseases and making it more convenient for parents to ensure their children are fully immunized.

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Determinants of non-vaccination against seasonal influenza

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The purpose of this study is to identify the factors associated with non-vaccination and the reasons why Canadian adults did not get the influenza vaccine in 2013/2014. Data from the 2013/2014 Canadian Community Health Survey were used.

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The overwhelming majority of Canadian parents get their children vaccinated - but that doesn't mean they don't have at least some concerns over safety and effectiveness.

A survey of 1,029 Canadians commissioned by Health Canada took an in-depth look into parents' awareness, attitudes and beliefs when it comes to vaccinations for children between zero to six years of age.
READ MORE: Pregnant women should get flu and whooping cough vaccines, new guidelines recommend
The report, titled "Survey for the Development of the Childhood Vaccination Campaign," was completed by 828 parents of children in that age group. It will be used to form the government's future awareness campaign on the importance of vaccinating children.

Canadians who are the most 'vaccine-hesitant'

The survey found that parents in certain provinces are more "vaccine-hesitant" than others.

Thirteen per cent of parents in B.C. said they had "low trust" in vaccinations, compared to five per cent nationally. Meanwhile, parents in Quebec were more likely than others to be concerned about possible medical side-effects.
WATCH: 'The Vaccination Picture' explores unfounded vaccine myths and their impact on health care
Parents in Atlantic Canada (92 per cent) and Ontario (89 per cent) were the most likely to trust vaccinations.

Canadian men were more likely to trust vaccinations than women, at 87 per cent compared to 82 per cent.

Overall, 48 per cent of Canadian parents and expecting parents said they have no doubts or concerns about vaccination. One in three said they have minor doubts, while six per cent said they have many doubts but still get their kids vaccinated.
READ MORE: Is there a link between microcephaly and vaccines?
One in 10 said they had "refused or delayed" some vaccinations for their children due to doubts and concerns.

The survey also reported that Canadians with higher levels of education were more likely to trust vaccinations. Eighty-nine per cent of those with a university education believed in vaccinating children, while those with a high school education had the lowest trust at 73 per cent.

Julie Bettinger, a researcher at BC Children's Hospital and associate professor at the University of British Columbia, explained that having concerns about vaccinations is quite common.

"It's important to recognize that vaccine hesitancy is a spectrum," she told Global News.

"It would go from individuals who accept all vaccines with no questions, and the other end of the spectrum would be people who reject vaccines and never take them. I think the majority of people likely fall somewhere in between there."
WATCH: Why do parents refuse vaccines? They see them as pointless, study suggests
Why parents may be concerned

While 74 per cent of Canadian parents said deciding on vaccinating children was an "easy" decision, it was "difficult" for 11 per cent.

Some parents who had difficulty making the decision said they were concerned about the validity of information about vaccinations, and uncertainly about whether it is bias or dishonest.

Other parents were concerned about the contradicting information that exists about vaccinations, with some groups claiming they can be harmful to children.
READ MORE: Pregnant women who get flu shot reduce baby's health risks
Concerned parents cited several reasons - some common ones included possible allergic reactions, a lack of trust in the pharmaceutical, side effects, toxic ingredients, and a lack of testing on the vaccinations.

Parents also indicated in the survey that there are certain questions about vaccinations they'd like answered, such as information on side effects and statistics on how many people are actually affected.

They also wanted more explanations on scheduling and timings of vaccinations - which ones are needed at what age and why.

Some parents also wanted to know about possible consequences of refusing vaccinations.
WATCH: Scientists are working on skin cancer vaccines
Sources of information

The survey also found that the large majority of parents, at 89 per cent, cited health-care professionals as their primary source of information on vaccinations. About 55 per cent admitted they use the internet, while 36 per cent said they ask family or friends, and 30 per cent cited pharmacists.

Forty per cent of those who rely on the internet said they used parenting or pregnancy websites, while 21 per cent used Web MD, and 19 per cent used Google searches. Other online sources that parents used included chat rooms, social media, Mayo Clinic and more.

Only five per cent said they referred to Health Canada's online resources. However, Health Canada was among the most trusted source for information at 79 per cent.

The most trusted source was health-care professionals at 91 per cent.
WATCH: Changing minds on kids and vaccinations
Bettinger explained that parents doing their research online should look to government sources such as information on the Public Health Agency of Canada's website, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But that's not enough - consultations with health-care providers are imperative.

"Oftentimes you think, let's just provide them with more information and correct these misconceptions, but that doesn't always work because these decisions [can be] more emotional decisions and less factual decisions," she explained.

She said that's why having a strong trust relationship with a health-care provider is important.

"You need to take the time to understand their concerns and have a conversation and try to address them."
This Health Canada survey was carried out by EKOS Research Associates Inc. and conducted both online and through telephone. It was completed by 1,029 Canadians, including 828 parents of children aged six or younger, and 201 women who are expecting or intending on becoming pregnant in the near future. The survey was conducted in November 2017. The sample was weighted by region.

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These are the Canadians less likely to vaccinate - and why they're hesitant

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The overwhelming majority of Canadian parents get their children vaccinated - but that doesn't mean they don't have at least some concerns over safety and effectiveness. A survey of 1,029 Canadians commissioned by Health Canada took an in-depth look into parents' awareness, attitudes and beliefs when it comes to vaccinations for children between zero to six years of age.

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Immunization = chronic illness, autism, MMR, sudden infant death syndrome, MS, etc. 

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Immunization = chronic illness, autism, MMR, sudden infant death syndrome, MS, etc. 

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Attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors indicative of vaccine safety concerns contribute substantially to underimmunization

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Older Canadians Leading Active Lifestyles - Active Aging Canada

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Statistics Canada reported in 2013 that only 1 in 5 adult, and older adult Canadians, achieve the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week, based on the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines. These inactive Canadians are unable to realize the health benefits of active living.

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Every Person in every country should have the opportunity to live a long, health life.

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Healthy Ageing is about creating the environments and opportunities that enable people to be and do what they value throughout their lives. Healthy Ageing replaced the concept of Active Ageing in 2015.

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blood infection

diphtheria

ear infection

Haemophilus influenzae type b

hepatitis A

hepatitis B

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

influenza

measles (red measles)

meningitis

mumps

pertussis (whooping cough)

pneumonia

polio

rotavirus

rubella (German measles)

tetanus (lockjaw)

varicella (chickenpox)

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Immunity is antibodies throughout the body that keep your body safe from infection and diseases. Immunization is a vaccine that is injected into the body which will therefore prevent the individual from an illness. The antigens that are injected kill or weaken the disease to help the immune system.

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Heads up program for education on concussions

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Heads up program for education on concussions

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The present analysis supports earlier research reporting that a small fraction of the population accounts for a large share of health care costs and resources.Note 3Note 4Note 5Note 6Note 7Note 8Note 10Note 11Note 12Note 13Note 14 High users made up 0.5% of the population aged 50 to 74 and 2.6% of those aged 75 or older, but they accumulated about half of all hospital days (45.6% and 56.1%, respectively) recorded for people of these ages, and each patient averaged two months in hospital during the year.Illness, of course, is the fundamental determinant of hospitalization. By definition, high users are less healthy than non-high users and people who are not hospitalized. High users have been shown to be more likely to report their health as fair/poor,Note 4Note 10 to have a high disease burden,Note 2Note 7Note 14Note 15Note 36 and to have mobility limitations or disabilities

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The present analysis supports earlier research reporting that a small fraction of the population accounts for a large share of health care costs and resources.Note 3Note 4Note 5Note 6Note 7Note 8Note 10Note 11Note 12Note 13Note 14 High users made up 0.5% of the population aged 50 to 74 and 2.6% of those aged 75 or older, but they accumulated about half of all hospital days (45.6% and 56.1%, respectively) recorded for people of these ages, and each patient averaged two months in hospital during the year.Illness, of course, is the fundamental determinant of hospitalization. By definition, high users are less healthy than non-high users and people who are not hospitalized. High users have been shown to be more likely to report their health as fair/poor,Note 4Note 10 to have a high disease burden,Note 2Note 7Note 14Note 15Note 36 and to have mobility limitations or disabilities

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A third live with at least three chronic conditions.

32 per cent take five or more regular medications.

14 per cent face a mental health problem such as depression or anxiety.

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Nearly 33 per cent of Canadian seniors said they were dissatisfied with the quality of the health care they received, compared with an average of 24 per cent in many other countries, according to a new report.

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Canada is experiencing a demographic shift. Baby boomers, currently the largest generation, are rapidly reaching retirement age. By 2021, 17.8 per cent of the total Canadian population will be over 65 -- that's nearly seven million people. By 2041, that number is expected to jump to 9.7 million, or 22.6 per cent.

What does this aging population mean for Canada? While government services and assistance programs are greatly needed and widely used, many seniors will need other practical day-to-day help as well. Most fundamentally, it's important that seniors continue to feel empowered to lead healthy independent lives. Luckily there are a number of options available for this aging population.
Mobility around the city
When seniors have to give up the keys and can no longer be behind the wheel, isolation becomes a major risk. With a vehicle, they are more able to get out and about with peers. Losing the ability to drive can mark a significant decline in participation of social activities. Not to mention that without a car any medical appointments, grocery shopping and other essential errands become a daunting task.

Some seniors can find it difficult to get out of the house. Not wanting to be a burden, they may refrain from repeatedly calling on friends or relatives to play chauffeur. While public transit is a viable alternative, it is not always entirely accessible, especially in extreme weather like a Canadian winter day.

While some cab companies can set up accounts for seniors, other services have sprung up to address this need for mobility directly. Companies like Driving Miss Daisy provide personal transportation for seniors to anything from dentist appointments to dry cleaning. A service like this takes the challenge out of leaving home.
Home care services
Striving for independent living can become even more important as we age. It signifies control over our lives and promotes a sense of achievement and self-worth. Greater independence leads to stronger relationships, better health and financial choices, and a higher quality of life.

Many seniors live independently with little to no help. However, some may need assistance due to physical or mental limitations that come with aging. In-home medical and non-medical care services help seniors with whatever their needs may be. Depending on the company, services can range from cleaning and shopping to wellness coaching, personal care and nursing.

Home health care is provided by licensed medical professionals, such as a nurse or physical therapist. Non-medical in-home care focuses on aiding seniors with daily activities they need to maintain a fulfilling life.
Nutrition and diet
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is important for everyone's overall health since it is key in maintaining a healthy weight. Being over- or underweight can lead to troubling health conditions. According to a new study, loss of appetite is common among older adults, with around 15 to 20 per cent of seniors experiencing unintentional weight loss as a result.

Another recent study by Statistics Canada found that " 34% of Canadians aged 65 or older (more than 4.1 million) were at nutritional risk. Gaining or losing more than 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) in the past six months and skipping meals "almost every day" were the main drivers of nutritional risk."

Eating well improves our energy levels, resistance to illness and emotional balance.
Chetan (left) and Roshni (right) Bahl are the Edmonton Heart to Home Meals franchise owners.
One couple that recently opened a Heart to Home Meals franchise in the Edmonton area recognizes that for seniors, the daily task of eating nutritional meals can be challenging for a multitude of reasons.

Chetan and Roshni Bahl, a husband and wife team that emigrated from India, are now servicing seniors through their business that offers over 200 delicious and nutritious meals right to their doors.

"We have come to experience how difficult and cold the winters can be in Edmonton, so we hope this service can alleviate any challenges for seniors, especially those with mobility issues and may have barriers to nutritional meals such as leaving their home," says Roshni.

The goal of the service is to give seniors the choice, convenience and independence to live on their own. The delivery service provides an additional point of contact for seniors who want to live independently. Experts in home and seniors care have noted the importance of having a regular check-in, especially for those with mobility issues.
ALSO ON HUFFPOST:

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3 Risks To The Aging Population Of Canada

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Canada is experiencing a demographic shift. Baby boomers, currently the largest generation, are rapidly reaching retirement age. By 2021, 17.8 per cent of the total Canadian population will be over 65 -- that's nearly seven million people. By 2041, that number is expected to jump to 9.7 million, or 22.6 per cent.

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Possible impacts of climate change on changing risks from vector-borne diseases illustrated using possible impacts on Canada as an example. VBD = vector-borne disease, WNV = West Nile virus, CSV = California serogroup viruses, RVF = Rift valley fever, JE = Japanese encephalitis, EEE = eastern equine encephalitis, La Crosse = La Crosse encephalitis, HME = human monocytic ehrlichiosis.

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-Foode-borne: Food could be spoiled by germination from increased temperatures.
-Water-borne: Precipitation change could cause water-borne diseases.
-Vector-borne: Diseases transmitted via anthropods. A mechanism in which this could be influenced is changing the geographic range
-Zoonotic: Warmer temperatures alter the transmission of diseases from animals to humans. More diseases are transmitted to humans by animals. This is due to the fact that animals (i.e. mosquitos) who don't survive in the cold are alive for longer because of the climate change.
http://www.ncceh.ca/sites/default/files/Toronto-Chen-2016.pdf

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Fentanyl, an opioid that’s up to 100 times more powerful than morphine, is responsible for rising rates of overdose deaths across Canada. Last year, 72 per cent of accidental opioid-related deaths in the country involved prescription or illicit fentanyl, compared with 55 per cent in 2016, according to a report released by the federal government last month.

B.C. and Alberta have been particularly hard-hit, with fentanyl linked to about four-fifths of all accidental opioid deaths in those provinces last year.

But Ontario is quickly catching up. Last year, 68 per cent of accidental opioid-related deaths were linked to fentanyl, compared to 45 per cent in 2016 and 21 per cent in 2016, according to Dr. Huyer.

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Parachute - Preventing Injuries. Saving Lives.

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Parachute helps Canadians reduce their risks of injury while enjoying long lives lived to the fullest.

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Age Pyramid of Canada's Population

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Figure 2 Portrait of generations, using the age pyramid, Canada, 2011

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Figure 2 Portrait of generations, using the age pyramid, Canada, 2011

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Approximately eight percent of boys and five percent of girls aged three to seventeen have had a significant head injury at some point in their lives.

While those aren't particularly high numbers, it's still important to know how to help your child avoid joining either of those groups. Read on to learn more about children's head injuries and how you can prevent them.

Most Common Children's Head Injuries

Some of the most common children's head injuries that you need to help your child avoid include:

Common Signs of Head injuries

Sometimes, head injuries are obvious, especially when there's visible bleeding or bruising. But, other times, your child may seem totally fine until you take a closer look. If you know that your child has suffered a fall or another form of trauma to the head, be on the lookout for these common signs of head injuries:

Common Causes of Children's Head Injuries

While you shouldn't necessarily ban your child from participating in certain activities, it's important to know how most children's head injuries occur. Listed below are some of the most common causes of children's head injuries:

Motor vehicle accidents

Pedestrian or cycling accidents

Recreational activities like diving, swimming, and skateboarding

Sports-related trauma, especially from contact sports like football or soccer

As you can see, there are lots of different situations that can lead to children's head injuries. Don't let the risk of an injury stop you from letting your child enjoy their favorite activities, though.

There are lots of things you can do, both inside and outside of the house, to keep your child safe and healthy. Start with these five tips:

1. Make sure they wear a seatbelt

First things first, your child should always wear a seatbelt when they're riding in the car. No matter how short of a distance you're traveling, it's better to be safe than sorry.

If your child is younger than eight years old or shorter than 4'9," they should be riding in a car or booster seat.

Look for a seat that is specifically designed for their age, height, and weight. A seat that doesn't fit them properly can actually increase their risk of injury should you get in a car accident.

2. Have them wear a helmet

Your child should also always wear a helmet when they're playing contact sports or enjoying outdoor activities like riding a bike or skateboard.

The following activities are all ones that require a proper-fitting helmet:

Contact sports like football, ice hockey, and lacrosse

Batting or running the bases during softball or baseball games

Horseback riding

To get a helmet that fits properly, talk to a professional at a local sporting goods or bike store.

3. Provide plenty of playground supervision

You don't need to be a helicopter parent, but you should still make an effort to keep an eye on your child while they're playing on the playground.

Simply paying attention to what your child is doing can significantly minimize the risk of them experiencing a head injury. This means watching them, not your phone, while they play.

You should also make an effort to seek out playgrounds that are built on shock-absorbing materials like mulch or rubber instead of concrete or gravel. It's not always possible to find playgrounds like this, of course, but if you do have access to one, be sure to take advantage of it.

4. Install guards on windows

In addition to being at risk while playing sports or playing on the playground, there are a number of ways that children can hurt their heads while playing in their own homes.

One of the easiest ways to protect your child from a head injury is to make sure that your windows are guarded. Install window guards on windows that can be easily opened is an easy way to prevent falls.

5. Fall-proof bathrooms and bedrooms

Finally, it's also important to make sure you've fall-proofed the bathrooms and bedrooms of your home as much as possible. Some simple ways to do this include:

Keeping the side rails of your child's crib up

Investing in rubber bath mats to ensure safety in the shower, even for kids

Installing baby gates at the top of the stairs for young children

Conclusion

Preventing children's head injuries can seem overwhelming at first. But, the more you know about signs to look for and common causes of these injuries, the easier it is. Get started today, and you'll be able to rest easy knowing your child is protected.
Hope this article was of help for all our parents!! Please share your comments/queries/tips with us and help us create a world full of Happy and Healthy Babies!!
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Approximately eight percent of boys and five percent of girls aged three to seventeen have had a significant head injury at some point in their lives. While those aren't particularly high numbers, it's still important to know how to help your child avoid joining either of those groups.

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-Diseases such as food-borne, water- borne, vector-borne, zoonotic could be influenced by climate change.
-There is not a lot of data providing with the evidence of the connection between infectious diseases and climate change. Due to this, improvements of surveillance on climate change and infections should be made in Canada.

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Concussion eLearning Modules | Coaching Association of Canada

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Coaching Association of Canada | Concussion eLearning Modules |

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In 2013, 42 million infants and young children were overweight or obese, worldwide ¹ and 70 million young children will be overweight or obese by 2025 if current trends continue. ¹ Without intervention, overweight infants and young children will likely continue to be overweight during childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Obesity in childhood is associated with a wide range of serious health complications and an increased risk of premature onset of illnesses, including diabetes and heart disease.

Canada, like many nations, is in the midst of an epidemic of overweight and obesity. There has been a dramatic increase in unhealthy weights in Canada. Childhood overweight and obesity has been rising steadily in Canada in recent decades. Between 1978/79 and 2004, the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity among those aged two to 17 years increased from 15 per cent to 26 per cent. ² Increases were highest among youth, aged 12 to 17 years, with overweight and obesity more than doubling for this age group, from 14 per cent to 29 per cent. ²

Currently, 59% of adult Canadians are either overweight or obese. ³ Cities in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia were significantly higher in overweight/obesity population than the national average for adults. ⁴

Most adolescents do not outgrow this problem and in fact, many continue to gain excess weight. ⁵ If current trends continue, by 2040, up to 70% of adults aged 40 years will be either overweight or obese. ⁶

Adults who have unhealthy weights are at increased risk of heart disease, ⁷ cancer, ⁸ strokes and type 2 diabetes. ⁹ In 2005, the total cost of obesity to Canadians was $4.3 billion; $1.8 billion in indirect healthcare costs, and $2.5 billion in indirect costs. ¹⁰ Affected adults may die up to 3 to 7 years earlier than counterparts with a healthy weight. ¹¹

The resulting toll in dollars cost and lives lost is a call for action. Obesity is difficult to reverse and public health measures must include effective prevention beginning in childhood as well as treatment.
Last updated April, 2015.

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Statistics - Childhood Obesity Foundation

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In 2013, 42 million infants and young children were overweight or obese, worldwide 1 and 70 million young children will be overweight or obese by 2025 if current trends continue. 1 Without intervention, overweight infants and young children will likely continue to be overweight during childhood, adolescence and adulthood.

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https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/how-fentanyl-is-getting-through-canadas-border/article29547443/

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HOW AN AGEING POPULATION WILL CHANGE THE WORLD - BBC NEWS

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Over the last 25 years, obesity rates among children and youth in Canada have nearly tripled. This represents a troubling statistic as excess weight has many negative effects on children’s health.

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http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/114/1/e16

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Northern Brain Injury Association | British Columbia

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Welcome to the Northern Brain Injury Association's introduction to Childhood Brain Injury Prevention.

Toddlers and young children love to explore, climb, walk, run, and dance, which are all natural healthy activities. But, these activities also put them at risk of falls and injuries indoors and out. Evidence suggests that children and youth are at greater risk of mild (concussion) and more serious brain injury than the general population, take longer than adults to recover following a concussion, and that concussions can permanently change the way a child or youth talks, walks, learns, works and interacts with others. Brain injury at any age is terrifying, unpredictable, and takes a very long time to heal.

It is important to note that a child or youth is 3-times more likely to sustain a subsequent concussion while recovering from a previous concussion. Furthermore, while a rare occurrence, a condition known as second-impact syndrome (SIS) may occur if a subsequent injury to the brain is sustained within a day or two after a concussion. This leads to swelling of the brain, which can result in brain damage, causing severe disability, and in a few cases even death. Up to 95% of brain injuries are preventable, so here are some great tips to help keep children safe.

Childhood Safety In The Home
You can help to prevent injuries inside the home just by being aware of hazards, and taking preventative measures, such as:

Lock doors to all dangerous areas. Keep keys out of child's sight and reach.

Children should not have access to fridges, freezers, washers and dryers, because they can get be injured, or locked inside and possibly suffocate.

Use care and provided restraints when using equipment such as high chairs and changing tables, and never, ever leave a child unattended on them. High chairs must have proper straps so children don't slip down and get their necks caught on the strap.

Use sliding gates at both ends of stairways. Avoid accordion-style gates, because a child's head could get caught in the gate (look for gates with openings no bigger than 5.8 cm or 2.3 inches).

Keep stairs free from toys, clothing and clutter.

Use baluster (stairway spindles) netting to prevent small children from fitting their head between the spindles.

Train children to hold onto handrails, and to walk carefully down each step, one at a time.

Attach double-sided tape or a foam backing to throw rugs, or use a rubber pad under them to prevent slippage on hard flooring.

Have children stay seated when eating or drinking.

Do not allow children to walk or run with an object in the mouth. It could cause serious face and mouth injuries in addition to other injuries from a fall.

Toy chests should have safety latches to keep the lid from falling onto a childs head.

Place protective corner guards on all tables, fireplace hearths, doorways, etc.

Ensure that children cannot get behind radiators and heaters.

Secure heavy lamps and art on lower tables to prevent them from getting pulled off and onto a child.

Keep TV's pushed as far back on stands/cabinets as possible. Flat screen televisions should be properly secured to a stud in the wall. If using an heavy older tube style TV, place it on the floor.

Don't allow children to climb on furniture. All freestanding furniture, regardless of height, can tip causing a child to fall and the furniture (as well as what is on it) to fall on the child. Properly anchor furniture to wall studs.

Never leave clothes irons and opened ironing boards unattended.

Windows are very dangerous to children. Use window guards to prevent falls. Make sure window locks are present and working, and never depend on screens to prevent falls. Keep furniture away from windows to avoid children climbing to gain access.

Place cribs and beds away from windows.

Make sure that openings in cribs are small enough to prevent a child's head from becoming trapped, which can lead to choking or suffocating.

Soft bedding materials such as pillows and comforters pose suffocation hazards, and should not be used in cribs.

Install bed rail guards where needed to prevent older children from falling out of bed.

Get down to the child's eyesight level and check floors for potential choke hazards, such as balloons, buttons, etc.. The rule of thumb is that if something can fit into a toilet paper core, it poses a choke hazard to a child.

Check all toys for potential choke hazards, and always keep plastic bags locked away.

Never let children eat alone. The most common causes of choking are from food items, such as; hot dogs, leafy products (like lettuce), peanuts, grapes, popcorn, and similar sized items.

Blind and curtain cords pose a serious risk of strangulation, so need to be shortened so that they cannot be reached. Store excess cord out of reach.

Use toilet locks to prevent small children from falling in a toilet and drowning.

Put locks on knife drawers, cabinets, refrigerator doors, freezer doors, ovens and windows.

Never leave children around unattended ladders.

If you choose to have a firearm in your home, please make sure you follow all safety precautions, including use of a gun safe, trigger lock, and other devices to prevent children from being able to access them or ammunition.

Keep poisons, such as rodent poison, laundry detergent, cleaning chemicals, medicines, lubricants, gas, paint, etc. out of reach, and in locked cabinets.

Always keep emergency phone numbers, including the Poison Control Center, by and on all telephones.

Kids also need to be safe while playing and having fun outside and while traveling.
Here are a few suggestions that you can do to keep them from harm outside of the home:
Childhood Safety Around Water

Never leave a child unattended in or by water, even for a few seconds.

Use proper life vest/flotation for children in and around all pools and hot tubs, and when boating.

Never leave children alone in a wading pool, or around buckets with water in them. It only takes approximately 2 inches of water to cause a child to drown.

Fence in pools and hot tubs. Keep gates closed and locked, and cover with proper protective devices. Keep pool ladders raised and locked when not in use, and consider purchasing a pool water movement alarm.

Childhood Safety Around/In Vehicles And Equipment

Make sure outdoor appliances are behind protective covers.

Restrict a child's access to equipment and vehicles in operation.

Before backing up a vehicle, walk around it and check the area for children and their toys.

Use proper seat restraints properly in vehicles. No children under 9 years old, or weighing under 80 pounds, should be placed in a front seat. Nor should a child safety seat be placed in a front seat, as deployed air bags can seriously injure the child.

Childhood Safety In Sports

Be sure children always wear appropriate helmets that are properly fitted when engaging in activities where falls are likely, such as: riding animals, hiking, rock climbing, skate boarding, cycling, playing baseball, football, lacrosse or hockey, enjoying snow sports like skiing and snowboarding, or while operating snowmobiles and all terrain vehicles (ATVs).

Supervise all contact sports, and forbid blows to the head.

Childhood Safety In The Yard

Insure that all tanks, wells and underground tanks are properly secured, and that any access to open water is restricted by fencing.

Insure that all tools and power equipment, both mechanical and electrical, is secured with any keys removed.

Childhood Safety On Playgrounds

Watch toddlers playing around hard surfaces as uneven grass, stepping stones, sloping lawns and hills can increase their risk of falls.

Make children aware of potential playground dangers before entering.

Supervise children on playground equipment, especially slides and monkey bars. Avoid taking children to playgrounds without a soft surface beneath equipment.

Cut all drawstrings off clothing. Drawstrings on hoodies, sweatshirts and coats can get caught on playground equipment and strangle a child.

Never leave children unattended on swings, or while playing in un-fenced areas.

Only allow children to ride solid, stable tricycles that are low to the ground. Also, watch where children ride. Steep downhill slopes or soft ground can make children lose control and fall.

Ensure that older children's toys are not accessible to smaller children.

Childhood Safety At The Store

Never allow children to stand in, or on a shopping cart. Falls from carts almost always result in a child hitting their head against a very hard floor, causing some degree of childhood brain injury.

Never leave children unattended in a shopping cart.

Keep store shelves out of your child's reach to avoid them pulling product onto themselves.

We cannot stress the importance of protecting a child's brain from injury - in the home, in the car, and at play. A child's entire future depends on having a healthy, properly functioning brain, which includes making sure that it gets the nutrients necessary to operate at full capacity through all of the brain's developmental stages.

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Childhood Brain Injury Prevention - Northern Brain Injury Association | British Columbia

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Welcome to the Northern Brain Injury Association's introduction to Childhood Brain Injury Prevention. Toddlers and young children love to explore, climb, walk, run, and dance, which are all natural healthy activities. But, these activities also put them at risk of falls and injuries indoors and out.

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Rowan Stringer, a high school Rugby player from Ottawa, Ontario, passed away 3 years ago from Second Impact Syndrome due to multiple concussions suffered within a short period of time.

A coroner's inquest into her death resulted in 49 recommendations to be implemented in an effort to prevent another tragedy such as this from happening in the future. Rowan's Law, which passed unanimously at the Ontario Legislature on June 7, 2016, is a private members bill put forth by Conservative MPP Lisa MacLeod (Napean-Carleton) along with Rowan's parents, Gord and Kathleen Stringer designed to put these recommendations into action.

What is Second Impact Syndrome?

A concussion is a brain injury that ultimately results in a disturbance in the energy levels as well as blood flow within the brain. If the injury is managed appropriately through adequate recovery, most concussions recover without any additional or serious consequences. However, during this period of low energy, the brain is extremely vulnerable to additional trauma.

A second concussion during this recovery stage can result in a dangerous drop in energy levels and blood flow which leads to a rapid increase in swelling in the brain and death: this is Second Impact Syndrome. It is the result of suffering two concussions in a very short period of time (i.e., within a week or two). The scary part is that symptoms, meaning how you feel, have no bearing on the recovery level of the brain.

Rowan's Story

On Friday May 3, 2013, Rowan was playing in a high school rugby tournament and in the last game of the day, she was tackled and removed from that game complaining of a headache. She had a game after school the following Monday (May 6) and was feeling great and ready to play. During that game someone stepped on her head and the headache returned; however, she did not tell anyone of this return in symptoms. On Wednesday (May 8), she had yet another game, which would be her last. She was tackled to the field, which resulted in a loss of consciousness that she never recovered. Doctors tried to relieve the swelling in her brain but were unable to do so.

The Law

The coroner's inquest into Rowan's death resulted in 49 recommendations, including (but not limited to):

Increased education and awareness for parents, coaches, athletes, and teachers surrounding concussion injuries

Better tools for coaches and trainers to identify concussions

Concussion policies in place at all school boards and sports associations across Ontario

Increased education and training for healthcare professionals to better treat and manage concussions

Rowan's Law creates an expert advisory committee to Ontario's Premier that will develop a plan within the next year to implement the coroner's recommendations. Right now, every state in the USA has concussion-related legislation. With the passing of Rowan's Law, Ontario is the first province in Canada to do so.

Being a part of this process of trying to help make Rowan's Law a reality in Ontario (and hopefully the rest of Canada) has been an absolute honour for us at Complete Concussion Management; especially since this program was originally founded in part due to Rowan's death. Listening to Gord and Kathleen's passion and commitment to seeing this through and seeing their heartbreak in losing a child to something that could have been prevented has given us the strength to continue trying to make a change in this world.

To learn more about Rowans Law visit Rowanslaw.ca

If you're a sports association or school that needs some help in creating a proper concussion policy, we can help! Click here

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What is Rowan's Law and what does it mean for amateur sports?

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Rowan Stringer, a high school Rugby player from Ottawa, Ontario, passed away 3 years ago from Second Impact Syndrome due to multiple concussions suffered within a short period of time. A coroner's inquest into her death resulted in 49 recommendations to be implemented in an effort to prevent another tragedy such as this from happening in the future.

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Health Care Costs per Person by # of Chronic Diseases

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Health Care Costs per Person by # of Chronic Diseases

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loraine.pardeep, anoop

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Weather conditions have influences on the ability a vector has to acquire, maintain, and transmit  viruses. Changes in climate conditions, such an increased humidity, rainfall, and temperature have contributed to the development of this vectors in Canada.

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Tanya, Brandon, Alex

Who is affected?

Mental illness indirectly affects all Canadians at some time through a family member, friend or colleague.

In any given year, 1 in 5 people in Canada will personally experience a mental health problem or illness.

Mental illness affects people of all ages, education, income levels, and cultures.

Approximately 8% of adults will experience major depression at some time in their lives.

About 1% of Canadians will experience bipolar disorder (or “manic depression”).

How common is it?

By age 40, about 50% of the population will have or have had a mental illness.

Schizophrenia affects 1% of the Canadian population.

Anxiety disorders affect 5% of the household population, causing mild to severe impairment.

Suicide accounts for 24% of all deaths among 15-24 year olds and 16% among 25-44 year olds.

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in both men and women from adolescence to middle age.

The mortality rate due to suicide among men is four times the rate among women.

What causes it?

A complex interplay of genetic, biological, personality and environmental factors causes mental illnesses.

Almost one half (49%) of those who feel they have suffered from depression or anxiety have never gone to see a doctor about this problem.

Stigma or discrimination attached to mental illnesses presents a serious barrier, not only to diagnosis and treatment but also to acceptance in the community.

Mental illnesses can be treated effectively.

What is the economic cost?

The economic cost of mental illnesses in Canada for the health care system was estimated to be at least $7.9 billion in 1998 – $4.7 billion in care, and $3.2 billion in disability and early death.

An additional $6.3 billion was spent on uninsured mental health services and time off work for depression and distress that was not treated by the health care system.

In 1999, 3.8% of all admissions in general hospitals (1.5 million hospital days) were due to anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, major depression, personality disorders, eating disorders and suicidal behavior.Sources: The Report on Mental Illness in Canada, October 2002. EBIC 1998 (Health Canada 2002), Stephens et al., 2001

How does it impact youth?

It is estimated that 10-20% of Canadian youth are affected by a mental illness or disorder – the single most disabling group of disorders worldwide.

Today, approximately 5% of male youth and 12% of female youth, age 12 to 19, have experienced a major depressive episode.

The total number of 12-19 year olds in Canada at risk for developing depression is a staggering 3.2 million.

Once depression is recognized, help can make a difference for 80% of people who are affected, allowing them to get back to their regular activities.

Mental illness is increasingly threatening the lives of our children; with Canada’s youth suicide rate the third highest in the industrialized world.

Suicide is among the leading causes of death in 15-24 year old Canadians, second only to accidents; 4,000 people die prematurely each year by suicide.

Schizophrenia is youth’s greatest disabler as it strikes most often in the 16 to 30 year age group, affecting an estimated one person in 100.

Surpassed only by injuries, mental disorders in youth are ranked as the second highest hospital care expenditure in Canada.

In Canada, only 1 out of 5 children who need mental health services receives them

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Injury Prevention -  Head injuries for children

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Injury Prevention -  Head injuries for children

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Climate Change Affecting Infectious Diseases

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Climate Change Affecting Infectious Diseases