Health

A provincial review of 222 cases concluded that herbicides and heavy metals are unlikely to explain most of the undiagnosed neurological illnesses reported in New Brunswick; the province has asked the Public Health Agency of Canada to review individual patient data once consent and a data‑sharing agreement are in place.

Health Canada required manufacturers to increase the amount of added vitamin D in certain milks, margarines and some milk alternatives as of Dec. 31, 2025; the department says this change is expected to roughly double Canadians' vitamin D intake.

Samples taken after a large bird die-off in southern Manitoba tested positive for the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain, and authorities reported about 500 dead birds were found in early December.

A Sudbury contractor adapted reflective insulation into tent bases and boot/hat liners and, with local partners, has produced and distributed more than fifty kits to people living in tents; she is in talks with a Canadian manufacturer to explore wider availability.

The Saskatchewan government has launched an independent, third-party review of hospital protective services and incident handling after recent violent incidents; the Saskatchewan Health Authority is also rolling out metal detectors and hiring 51 new protective service workers.

Health Canada has approved lecanemab, a disease‑modifying drug shown to delay Alzheimer's progression by about one year, but many patients in Canada are still waiting for public or private coverage.

Researchers at the University Health Network and the University of Toronto report in Nature Immunology that a high CXCL13-to-BAFF ratio is associated with leptomeningeal (compartmentalized) inflammation seen in progressive multiple sclerosis, based on a new preclinical model and measures in human samples.

Jane Darville helped lead Casey House in Toronto during the late 1980s AIDS crisis and has been named to the Order of Canada; the article recalls Princess Diana's 1991 visit that drew public attention and eased stigma.

The Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation awarded more than $1.6 million in grants and Signature Impact Programs to 68 nonprofits in the New York metropolitan area, supporting youth with serious medical needs and food insecurity; Signature Impact Programs will support projects in 2026.

A genetic-analysis study reports an association between higher body weight and greater risk of vascular dementia; experts in the article note limits such as diagnostic-code inequalities and say randomized trials would be needed to test whether treating obesity prevents dementia.

GLP-1 weight-loss drugs have shown clear benefits for Type 2 diabetes and weight management, but side effects, costs and long-term outcomes remain uncertain.

A national survey of more than 4,000 Canadians found 15.6% use cannabis specifically to help with sleep, and current clinical evidence on cannabis as a sleep treatment is mixed and limited.

Dentists and program users say the federal Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program often does not cover modern dental costs and that administrative delays and payment issues are causing some providers to stop billing the program.

Ontario's FAST pilot has expanded public funding for five cancer therapies, including Scemblix, by reimbursing treatments tied to Project Orbis before pan-Canadian pricing deals were completed.

Sara Gilooly says delays and limited testing in B.C. contributed to her breast cancer progressing to metastatic disease; an independent MLA called the problem systemic and provincial health officials did not respond by deadline.

Health Canada says counterfeit versions of GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro are being sold in stores and online, and the agency has not assessed these unauthorized products for safety, effectiveness or quality.

Patients with Lyme disease in Canada report delays in diagnosis and ongoing symptoms after treatment; a free public panel in Gatineau on Feb. 2 will bring clinicians, researchers and patient partners together to discuss complications and care.

Kodiak has launched Protein Overnight Oats in Maple Pecan, Dark Chocolate Sea Salt, and Cookie Butter; the product pairs whole grain oats, chia, flax, and quinoa to provide 20 grams of protein per serving and under 10 grams of sugar.

Health Canada announced a recall of Disney Baby Water Teethers after testing found fungal contamination in the liquid filling; Dollarama says it has posted the recall and is offering refunds.

barrière's peel-and-stick patches are described as delivering vitamin B12 and folate through the skin for up to 12 hours, and the article notes B12 can be difficult to obtain from plant-based diets over the long term.

Officials announced funding to add 54 studio units for at-risk seniors at Dunn House, a Toronto social-medicine housing project that previously reduced residents' emergency department visits by 52%.

The federal government is investing $21.6 million in Dunn House Phase Two, a new supportive housing project in Toronto's Parkdale neighbourhood, while Ontario and the City are also contributing funding.

A new review from Angela Ruskin University highlights bamboo's nutritional and sustainability qualities and notes bamboo shoots are sold pre-cooked in Canada; dictionaries say the term "superfood" has no strict scientific definition.

University Health Network and Fred Victor will build 54 new apartments next to Dunn House with federal, provincial and city funding; preliminary data shows Dunn House residents cut emergency department visits by 52% and reduced hospital stay lengths by 79% in the year after moving in.

The article reports that animal agriculture contributes about one-third of global greenhouse gases and that shifting to reduced-meat or vegetarian diets can cut an individual's food-related emissions by roughly one-third to two-thirds.

A report finds nearly 2 million Ontario caregivers took care recipients to emergency rooms last year, and about one in five of those caregivers reported doing so mainly to get a break.

A year-end City of Calgary report rated capital infrastructure at the most critical level after recent major water main failures and also identified technological disruption and cybersecurity among the top risks; council will discuss the findings this week.

A Portland infant remains on a feeding tube while recovering from infant botulism that doctors tied to recalled ByHeart formula; federal agencies report no new linked cases since Dec. 17.

Doctors in Toronto and Vancouver warn emergency departments already near or above capacity could be strained by a sudden surge during the FIFA World Cup, and Public Health Ontario has flagged measles, food‑borne illness and COVID‑19 as moderate risks.

A report from ThriveTO and partners found the share of Torontonians reporting 'very good' or 'excellent' mental health fell from 73% in 2015 to 52% in 2022, and the number of people waiting for support nearly doubled between 2020/21 and 2022/23.