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January 18, 2012 08:52  by Avis Favaro
The report by the Canadian Institute of Health information this week on winter sports-related injurieswas meant to inform – prevention via education. The goal was NOT to discourage people from getting out in the winter and enjoying the activities that come with the ice and snow. [More]
December 9, 2011 16:19  by Avis Favaro
They are stories that break your heart. Seniors who can't even get by on the little inmcome they have. The picture emerging is that however you add it up – if you are a senior who does not have a private pension plan, a senior who doesn’t have much in savings, the provincial and federal pensions aren't enough. [More]
November 29, 2011 06:54  by Avis Favaro
It seemed like a great business idea for a high school student -– sell earplugs to baby boomers attending the Toronto concert by Prince. Buy them for 25 cents a pair, sell them for a toonie. My 16-year-old son jumped at the chance to make some quick money, and I supported the venture as a simple public health good deed -- protecting the hearing of my fellow concert goers. [More]
November 7, 2011 12:49  by Avis Favaro
Owen Turney died a year ago, on Oct 24, 2010. The cause of his death was just like his disabilities – undiagnosed. Owen was a boy whose story, and whose extraordinary mother, caught our eye. Jennifer Johannesen was Owen’s complete life support. Owen was tested for every genetic disorder and disease doctors could test for, but doctors were never able to pin down a diagnosis. [More]
October 14, 2011 07:49  by Avis Favaro
There’s been an interesting development in a story we reported in late August, when there was a flurry of condemnation over the imminent release of a children’s book. The title WAS “Maggie goes on a diet.” [More]
September 8, 2011 18:32  by Avis Favaro
COPD is a disease that strikes an alarming number of Canadians. Under its new name -- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease -- it's a mouthful that's hard to sell to news editors who have never heard of it. But a new study should help put the disease into focus for a lot more people. [More]
June 27, 2011 11:38  by Avis Favaro
Laryngitis is an odd illness. You feel otherwise healthy. But your vocal cords are inflamed, in my case, probably due to a summer cold that went south from my nose into my throat. When you try to answer a simple question, all you can put out is a raspy gasp, with numerous pauses. For four days last week, I had no voice. Then I took a stab at acupuncture, and learned something new about this ancient healing art. [More]
June 1, 2011 13:02  by Avis Favaro
The U.S Food and Drug Administration is taking a closer look at a controversial class of oral contraceptives linked to health problems that we first reported on well over a year ago.

We had started hearing from women across Canada who were taking such contraceptives as Yaz and Yasmin and who were developing unusual problems.

[More]
March 18, 2011 11:52  by Avis Favaro
Every day, we get hundreds of emails from people pitching stories and from viewers asking questions. You may think we don’t read them all, but we do. This one certainly got my attention. It followed a story we did on a scientific paper showing that cell phones held near the head for extended periods boosted the amount of glucose in certain areas of the brain near the cell phone antenna. [More]
December 17, 2010 13:43  by Avis Favaro
You may be among the thousands receiving an email warning about mandarin oranges from China. Here's why you shouldn't believe everything you read. [More]
December 1, 2010 17:16  by Avis Favaro
It’s just a one-patient study but it offers an intriguing direction for research into treating inflammatory bowel diseases. Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Centre were given a unique opportunity when they tracked a 34-year-old California man suffering with ulcerative colitis who decided to swallow worm eggs to see if they would help ease his colitis symptoms. [More]
July 1, 2010 13:12  by Avis Favaro

For most of us, bees and hornets are a summer annoyance that can be simply swatted away. But for more than 2 million people in North America, insect stings can cause life-threatening allergic reactions.

The problem is many people don’t know they are allergic to insect stings until one occurs, so it’s important to pay close attention to someone’s reactions following a sting. [More]
June 3, 2010 10:59  by Avis Favaro

Not long ago, I did a story on an inspiring doctor from Georgetown, Ont., named Jeff Sutherland. After years as a family physician, emergency room doctor obstetrician and administrator, Jeff is learning what life is like as a patient…with one of the most devastating diseases around - ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

They’ve also launched a really stirring public service ad. I challenge you to watch it and not feel moved. [More]
February 10, 2010 08:28  by Avis Favaro
Women who take the hormone replacement therapy drug Premarin were furious last spring when the maker of the pills quietly hiked the price astronomically. Many angry women complained and now, it appears those complaints may have paid off. [More]
Dr. Marla Shapiroclose [x]

Dr. Marla Shapiro, MDCM CCFP MHSc FRCP(C) FCFP, is a family physician and the Health and Medical Contributor for CTV's Canada AM as well as the editor of Parents Canada magazine, launched in March 2007.

She completed medical school at McGill University and trained at the University of Toronto for her Masters of Health Science in Community Health and Epidemiology. She holds a Fellowship in Family Medicine and is a NAMS credentialed menopause specialist. She is an associate professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto, where she recently won an award for Creative Professional Activity.

Dr. Shapiro won the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada/Canadian Foundation for Women's Health Award for Excellence in Women's Health Journalism in 2006 for her documentary "Run Your Own Race." Her book, "Life in the Balance: My Journey with Breast Cancer" was released in the fall of 2006 and is a national bestseller.

For her lifelong commitment to family medicine, Shapiro was awarded the College of Family Physicians of Canada's Award of Excellence for 2008.

Angela Mulhollandclose [x]

Angela Mulholland is the editor of CTV News' semi-weekly health newsletter MedNews Express as well as the MedNews Express Blog.

She has been a journalist for CTV News since 2000, covering current affairs, health and entertainment for CTV.ca. Before CTV, she worked for CBC.ca for two years.

She has a degree from St. Jerome's University in Waterloo, ON, and studied journalism at Sheridan College in Oakville. She lives in Toronto with her husband and two children.

Monica Matysclose [x]

Monica Matys has been the health and wellness reporter for CTV News Toronto since 2001. Her feature health report, Lifetime, can be seen on CTV Toronto's News at Noon and at 6 p.m.

Her interest in the medical field began while working for a medical publishing company as the editor of a monthly magazine. One of Monica's favourite days on the job was the time she got to spend a day in Credit Valley Hospital's Emergency unit. "It really opened my eyes to the strains on our system," Monica explains.

Matys grew up in Scarborough, and has an honours degree in Journalism from Carleton University in Ottawa. She lives in Toronto with her husband and two children.

Avis Favaroclose [x]

Avis Favaro has been with CTV News since 1992, producing stories for CTV National and CTV News Channel - Newsnet- as well as for CTV affiliate stations across the country.

Avis and producer Elizabeth St. Philip won the 2008 Media Awards for Excellence in Health Reporting handed out by the Canadian Nurses Association and the Canadian Medical association for a story on BPA found in food cans.

She has been nominated for an impressive 12 Geminis, winning once for a unique story on an experimental cancer treatment developed in Winnipeg in the 1940's.

Avis has a masters in journalism from UWO and a Bachelor's degree in History, and launched her journalism career as a writer/reporter at Global in 1982.

Dr. Yoni Freedhoffclose [x]

Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, MD CCFP Dip ABBM, is the founder and Medical Director of the Bariatric Medical Institute in Ottawa, a multi-disciplinary behavioural weight management program. Formally trained in family medicine, since 2004 his practice has been exclusively dedicated to the treatment of overweight and obesity.

Dr. Freedhoff has been referred to as a "nutritional watchdog" by the Canadian Medical Association Journal and a national "obesity expert" by the Canadian Obesity Network. His advocacy efforts for improved public policies regarding nutrition and obesity have found him testifying in front of the Canadian House of Commons, giving press conferences with the Ontario Medical Association, commenting regularly in the national media, and as a sought after lecturer.

Dr. Freedhoff explores issues pertinent to nutrition, obesity, public policy and advocacy in his daily blog Weighty Matters which is ranked among the world's top health blogs and was voted the top Canadian health blog of 2008 by the Canadian Blog Awards.

Dr. Grant Lumclose [x]

Dr. Lum is a sports medicine physician. He is the medical director and founder of Athletic Edge Sports Medicine, a multidisciplinary sports medicine organization offering services to the athletic and active public.

He is involved in the care of recreational, elite amateur and professional athletes, including players in the NHL, NFL and NBA. He is also involved in the performing arts medical community, taking care of musicians, vocalists, dancers and other performing artists.

Dr. Lum studied medicine at the University of Toronto, where he graduated in 1992. He completed a two-year residency in Family Medicine, and then specialty training in Sports Medicine.

He is a lecturer at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Medicine, an adjunct professor at York University's Faculty of Fine Arts, and medical director of George Brown College's Fitness and Lifestyle Management Program.

Dr. Lorne Brandesclose [x]

A senior oncologist at CancerCare Manitoba, Dr. Brandes received his MD from the University of Western Ontario in 1968.

Following post-graduate training at the Royal Marsden Hospital (London) and the University of Manitoba, he joined the faculty at U. Of M. in 1975, where he is a professor in the Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology.

He is also affiliated with the Manitoba Institute of Cell Biology.

Dr. Katy Kamkar, Ph.D., C. Psych.close [x]

Dr. Katy Kamkar, Ph.D., C. Psych., is a Clinical Psychologist at the Work, Stress and Health Program/Psychological Trauma Program, at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). She also provides private practice at the CBT Associates of Toronto and is a lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto.

She completed her Honours Degree in Psychology and Mathematics at York University and her Masters and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Concordia University. She also completed a Clinical/Research Postdoctoral Fellowship at CAMH. She has received numerous academic awards and distinctions.

Kamkar provides consultation, comprehensive assessments, and evidence-based Cognitive-Behavioural treatment for Mood and Anxiety Disorders, including psychological distress related to stress and anxiety in the workplace. She also provides training, education, and supervision as well as various educational seminars and workshops. She adheres to a scientist-practitioner model of practice and integrates research and science with practice.

One of Dr. Kamkar's greatest interests has been to provide education to enhance public awareness of mental health/illness in general and of psychological distress in the workplace. She has written articles for comprehensive public resources and provided numerous public relations - media work.

Dr. Neil Rauclose [x]

Dr. Neil Rau grew up in Ottawa. He initially studied mathematics at the University of Waterloo before completing his MD at the University of Toronto in 1991. He completed training in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases at McGill University in 1996, before establishing a busy private practice in Oakville. He is currently the medical director of Infection Prevention and Control at Halton Healthcare Services.

In 2008, he completed his training in medical microbiology at the University of Toronto and he now serves as the medical microbiologist and chair of the patient safety steering committee at his hospital.

He is a lecturer at the University of Toronto. Since 2008, he has also been Infectious Diseases section head at the Association for Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada. He is also a frequent contributor to CTV News.

He lives in Toronto with his wife and two children, and is an avid amateur concert pianist.

Cara Rosenbloom, RD close [x]

Registered dietitian Cara Rosenbloom believes that nutrition can make a difference in overall health and wellness and enjoys translating complex nutrition information into usable and helpful advice.

Rosenbloom holds a literature degree from the University of Western Ontario and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Food & Nutrition from Ryerson University. She completed a dietetic internship at North York General Hospital to become a registered dietitian.

Prior to becoming a nutrition columnist, Rosenbloom worked as a dietitian at The Hospital for Sick Children for three years. She is a member of Dietitians of Canada and the College of Dietitians of Ontario and the president of Words to Eat By, a nutrition communications company.