Monday, September 28, 2009
Health Equity in the News: The $5, 000 Baby and Other Stories
http://www.healthzone.ca/health/newsfeatures/article/700554--special-delivery-the-5-000-baby
For more information about the OHIP Coverage Waiting Period:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/ohip/wait.html
Read more...
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
CAMH Aboriginal Inpatient Program
CAMH Aboriginal Inpatient Program
In November of 2009, CAMH will be offering a 21 day inpatient cycle for ten male Aboriginal clients. This program has been designed to embrace Aboriginal values and spirituality and promotes self-determination. The involved CAMH staff and departments recognize the unique needs and circumstances of Toronto’s Aboriginal population and are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore and overcome their substance abuse.
Topics for discussion and aspects of the program include:
• Intergenerational trauma and substance abuse
• Personal and unique experiences of Aboriginal culture
• Substance abuse and communities/families
• Elder counseling
• Addiction as a learned behavior and predisposition
• Relationships
• Healthy expressions of anger
• Recreational therapy
• Loss, grief and addiction
• Sweat lodge ceremony and other traditional tools
• Blanket teachings
If you have questions or need assistance with the application process feel free to contact Kathryn at CAMH Aboriginal Services at any time, (416)535-8501 ext. 7654 or at kathryn_leblanc[at]camh.net
Read more...
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Free Mind Maps online application - Bubbl.us
I just discovered a really fun and free online application. Bubbl.us enables you to create colourful mind maps and brainstorm online. The maps can be saved and embedded on websites. Here is my test map:
Check it out here: http://bubbl.us/edit.php
Read more...
Deadline extended - City of Toronto Public Health Champion Awards
From the City of Toronto website:
The nomination deadline for the 2009 Public Health Champion Awards has been extended to September 16. The award was established in 2008 by Dr. David McKeown, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, to commemorate the 125th anniversary of public health in Toronto.
The award recognizes individuals or organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting and promoting the health of Toronto’s residents. Nominations will be adjudicated by a committee of the Board of Health assessing demonstrated achievement in one or more of four areas:
- Providing leadership in efforts to reduce health inequalities
- Fostering collaboration to improve the health of the population
- Building community capacity through innovative health promotion strategies
- Achieving impact by acting as a catalyst for change.
For more info: http://www.toronto.ca/health/awards/index.htm
Read more...
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
REGISTRATION OPEN (Toronto) - Research with Pride
Research with Pride is about exploring the potential of CBR to transform our communities and create positive change.
This forum is FREE!
When: Friday October 2, 2009
Time: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
What: Presentations, workshops, and panel discussions facilitated by leaders in the field of LGBTQ community based research.
Where: 155 College (at McCaul) St. 6th floor
REGISTRATION HAS BEGUN!
Space is limited, so please register soon.
For more information, please visit our website or contact info[at]researchwithpride.org
Read more...
RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT: New evidence of racism as social determinant of health (US)
http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0006821
Title: Genetic Ancestry, Social Classification, and Racial Inequalities in Blood Pressure in Southeastern Puerto Rico
Authors: Clarence C. Gravlee1*, Amy L. Non(1), Connie J. Mulligan1,(2)
(1) Department of Anthropology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America, (2) Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
Abstract
Background
The role of race in human genetics and biomedical research is among the most contested issues in science. Much debate centers on the relative importance of genetic versus sociocultural factors in explaining racial inequalities in health. However, few studies integrate genetic and sociocultural data to test competing explanations directly.
Methodology/Principal Findings
We draw on ethnographic, epidemiologic, and genetic data collected in southeastern Puerto Rico to isolate two distinct variables for which race is often used as a proxy: genetic ancestry versus social classification. We show that color, an aspect of social classification based on the culturally defined meaning of race in Puerto Rico, better predicts blood pressure than does a genetic-based estimate of continental ancestry. We also find that incorporating sociocultural variables reveals a new and significant association between a candidate gene polymorphism for hypertension (α2C adrenergic receptor deletion) and blood pressure.
Conclusions/Significance
This study addresses the recognized need to measure both genetic and sociocultural factors in research on racial inequalities in health. Our preliminary results provide the most direct evidence to date that previously reported associations between genetic ancestry and health may be attributable to sociocultural factors related to race and racism, rather than to functional genetic differences between racially defined groups. Our results also imply that including sociocultural variables in future research may improve our ability to detect significant allele-phenotype associations. Thus, measuring sociocultural factors related to race may both empower future genetic association studies and help to clarify the biological consequences of social inequalities.
Read more...
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Interesting blog entry - Inequities are killing people on a grand scale (Medical Wiki World)
Read more...
FORUM (Toronto) - Research With Pride
Research with Pride is about exploring the potential of CBR to transform our communities and create positive change.
This forum is FREE!
When: Friday October 2, 2009
Time: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
What: Presentations, workshops, and panel discussions facilitated by leaders in the field of LGBTQ community based research.
Where: 155 College (at McCaul) St. 6th floor
REGISTRATION HAS BEGUN!
Space is limited, so please register soon by downloading our registration form at www.researchwithpride.org
For more information, please visit our website or contact info@researchwithpride.org
Read more...
EVENT (Toronto) - FoodCycles Launch - September 12/09
The FoodCycles greenhouse and one acre market garden is located at Downsview Park, just southeast of the intersection of Keele and Sheppard (70 Canuck Ave, map and directions http://bit.ly/1GYyWQ).
POSTER in English: http://bit.ly/L3JE9
Bring rain gear, closed toe boots or shoes and lighter layers in warmer weather. Don't forget a re-useable shopping bag if you're buying veggies! Feel free to bring food of your own if you're in the mood for sharing!
Visit our website http://foodcycles.org for more information or email foodcycles@gmail.com or call 416.845.0818.
POSTER in:
Italian - http://bit.ly/H741H
Hebrew - http://bit.ly/dNhEO
Spanish - http://bit.ly/Ubv1u
Filipino - http://bit.ly/3zHHx
Vietnamese - http://bit.ly/nwGha
Chinese - http://bit.ly/3L1mas
Read more...