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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]
January 25, 2010 11:46  by Avis Favaro
“Don’t forget to put on your hat!” It’s the refrain of many mothers, watching their kids and teenagers as they slip out the door in the blustery days of winter. Turns out they are right; a new study finds taht wearing a hat in the cold is good for your health. [More]
December 23, 2009 08:06  by Avis Favaro
Call it a Christmas gift to myself, from my job. I’ve never had high blood pressure. I’ve only reported on other people who have it. But somewhere in the middle of October, during the dark days of swine flu, my numbers shot up. Puzzled, my doctor prescribed diuretics and beta-blockers. [More]
June 12, 2009 21:45  by Avis Favaro

We’re hearing about a sudden price increase in the commonly used medication called nitrostat.

People are telling us about an almost four fold increase price over a one week period in May and that this is causing problems for some seniors.

If you are affected -- drop us a line at health@ctv.ca

Thanks, Avis Favaro,
Elizabeth St.Philip,
CTV News Medical Unit

[More]
May 25, 2009 07:25  by Avis Favaro
We received an email last this week from a Toronto woman who went to her pharmacy to pick up her hormone replacemement therapy and got a big surprise. The price had suddenly jumped from about $15 for a month’s supply to nearly $125. Are these sudden huge price changes happening with other medications? [More]
May 14, 2009 13:46  by Avis Favaro
Among the myriad of diseases we cover on CTV, Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gherig’s Disease, rarely gets attention it deserves. But I was reminded about this devastating disease by the poignant story of Brandeis University sociology professor Morrie Schwartz put into a play now showing in Toronto. [More]
May 01, 2009 14:08  by Avis Favaro
Reporting on the evolution of H1N1 feels a lot like 2003 – the changing stories, the multiple press conferences, the uncertainty and the confusion. It’s a fascinating story because we are watching the world track a new disease. But there have been times where I have been uncomfortable with how the messages have been conveyed to the public – is the right story getting out? [More]
March 16, 2009 11:06  by Avis Favaro
It has largely been up to doctors to report medication side effects to Health Canada. But the agency wants all Canadians to know that anyone can report suspected side effects from health products. [More]
January 05, 2009 13:48  by Avis Favaro
Our guest blogger, Dr. Bob Lester, provides a moving account of his wife's dementia [More]
December 03, 2008 14:29  by Avis Favaro
One diabetic woman's story of how gastric bypass surgery has dramatically lowered her blood-sugar levels. [More]
November 12, 2008 09:00  by Avis Favaro
Studies show that cholesterol-lowering drugs can be effective too, but lifestyle changes are a better bet. [More]
October 28, 2008 14:43  by Avis Favaro
Lawyers have reached a settlement with the manufacturer of an antibiotic that may have caused serious health complications in hundreds of patients. [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 1998, 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. He also the newly elected Section Head for Infectious Diseases with 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.