Innovative HIV Testing in Indigenous Communities Leads Way to Global Targets
National Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week 2019
OTTAWA, Nov. 5, 2019 /CNW/ - The Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) announces Indigenous leadership and supporters will celebrate Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week December 1 – 6, 2019. It will launch in Ottawa, ON with a Parliamentary Tea followed by events across the country (Vancouver, Edmonton, Prince Albert, Winnipeg, Montreal, Toronto, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and more) to unite an Indigenous response to HIV and AIDS mirroring World AIDS Day's theme 'Communities Make the Difference'.
In 2017, a total of 2,402 new HIV cases were reported in Canada, an increase of 3%. Indigenous peoples comprise 20.1% of those new HIV cases. They continue to be over-represented 2.7 times higher than other Canadians.
One in 7 does not know their HIV status. A new type of HIV diagnosis test, Dried Blood Spot Testing, is dramatically increasing the number of Indigenous peoples getting tested. A First Nations pilot in Saskatchewan saw an increase of 4x more HIV tests. Dried Blood Spot Testing is a needle-prick test similar to having a blood sugar test for diabetes.
Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week will host a series of nationwide events to recognize the essential role that Indigenous communities play in the AIDS response at the international, national and local levels.
Community work to be highlighted:
Many events will provide new Dry Blood Spot Testing for free or information on how to access
Launch 4 Indigenous Tool Kits: HIV & AIDS, STTBIs, Hep C, and Harm Reduction
Launch of report on stigma and discrimination in the workplace experienced by Indigenous peoples living with HIV
"Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week provides the platform for Indigenous communities to make the difference toward meeting global HIV targets," shared Denise Lambert, chair of the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network board. "During this week, Indigenous peoples across Canada will raise awareness about the critical role of community to inform culturally safe approaches to wholistic HIV testing, care and treatment. We will do so in a manner that reflects Indigenous cultures and traditional knowledge, and also the unique social, spiritual, economic and political needs of our communities."
The Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network invites all supporters to participate in Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week to ensure community voices be heard in the development, implementation and monitoring of the national AIDS strategy.
Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) is a non-profit organization that leads a collective response to protect the wholistic wellness of First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples impacted by HIV, hepatitis C and related diseases and issues, such as mental health, addictions and aging. Through research and programming, it informs and influences public health policy from an Indigenous worldview and advances self-determination to address health determinants with Indigenous traditions, values and knowledge. www.caan.ca
Eczema Society of Canada releases "A Day with Eczema" video in recognition of Eczema Awareness Month
Video takes an intimate look into the life of a chronic eczema sufferer
TORONTO, Nov. 5, 2019 /CNW/ - November is Eczema Awareness Month, and to mark the occasion, Eczema Society of Canada (ESC) has launched "A Day with Eczema" - an intimate look into the life of a chronic eczema sufferer.
The video follows Tanya Mohan, a lifelong eczema sufferer and ESC volunteer, from the moment she wakes up, to the moment she goes to sleep. It explores how eczema can be constant and unrelenting, and how it impacts every facet of her daily life.
"I often tell (people) I feel itchy probably once or twice every single hour of every single day, 365 days of the year. It's constantly on my mind." - Tanya Mohan, "A Day with Eczema"
Tanya is one of many Canadians who live with atopic dermatitis (commonly known as eczema), a chronic inflammatory skin condition that is characterized by dry, red, intensely itchy skin that can crack, ooze, and bleed.
The goal of "A Day with Eczema" is to demonstrate the true burden of the condition, and how pervasive it can be for individuals who live with it each day. Further, it aims to show the general public, healthcare providers, and healthcare decision makers the burden of this disease, current gaps in care, and needs of the patient community.
"Eczema is too often minimized or seen as nothing more than just dry skin, but the hard truth is that there are many Canadians who struggle deeply with the daily skin care routines, nonstop cycles of flares, and the incessant itch and pain that can accompany this condition," says Amanda Cresswell-Melville, Executive Director of Eczema Society of Canada. "Our video aims to start a conversation and show the world what eczema sufferers live with, and that they deserve to be seen and heard."
ESC plans to share stories like Tanya's in their meetings with government officials and health agencies responsible for improving access to new eczema therapies and treatments. "Recent research and treatment breakthroughs are bringing new hope to patients and their families; however, these advancements won't help if the people who need them most can't afford or access them," says Cresswell-Melville. "By showing decision makers the realities of living with this condition, we hope they will make choices that support and help to improve the lives of patients and their families."
For those who want to get involved, ESC invites Canadians to share the video on social media and include the hashtag #ADaywithEczema when commenting or sharing their eczema stories.
Mother Raw asks fans to choose their next variety with a "Duel of the Dressings" campaign
The winning Mother Raw Dressing will debut in January 2020 and marks 20th product in their launch year
TORONTO, Nov. 6, 2019 /CNW/ - Mother Raw, makers of wildly successful plant-based, organic dressings, dips, condiments and quesos, will debut their 20th product in 2020, marking their one year anniversary of helping make plant-based eating delicious, nutritious and loaded with variety.
With consumer taste and preference top of mind, Mother Raw is announcing its 'Duel of the Dressings' campaign (motherraw.com/vote) running from November 6 - 20th (2019) inviting fans to vote to help choose the flavour focus of their new and super on-trend tahini dressing. The question up for debate: should the new Mother Raw Tahini Dressing be zesty with lemon and turmeric, or slightly sweet with organic maple syrup?
The company is betting big on the booming tahini trend to satisfy the growing consumer craving for a plant-based creamy dressing that delivers a luscious taste experience, made from quality, plant-based ingredients.
"Tahini goods and dressings are on track to be one of the tastiest food trends of the year and we are elated to offer a creamy and delicious tahini-based dressing to our Mother Raw fans. We're depending on our loyal community of supporters to choose their preferred tahini flavour focus: sweet and savoury maple or zesty lemon with turmeric," shared Kristi Knowles, Mother Raw CEO. (Learn more about CEO, Kristi Knowles here). "At Mother Raw we are tuned-in to taste trends and ways to make eating more plants delicious, while taking away the worry of ingredients that you can't pronounce. What better way to expand our offerings than to ask our fans…they really do know best!"
Tahini, a condiment that is typically made from hulled sesame seeds, is a nutritional powerhouse. Packed with B vitamins, E vitamins and zinc, tahini is also a source of calcium, manganese, potassium and phosphorus. It's touted as one of the fastest growing food ingredients in the world, according to Researchandmarkets.com, who recently reported that as of 2018 the global tahini market was valued at $1.11 billion (US) with growth expectations of 4.82 percent in the coming years (2019 - 2025).
The Mother Raw Tahini Dressing flavour with the most votes will be finessed by Mother Raw's team of product experts and ready for its debut in early 2020. As part of the tahini taste race, one lucky Mother Raw fan and voter will be randomly selected to win a delicious private dinner prepared for them and five guests by a professional chef. And in keeping with the Mother Raw commitment to "do good" in the communities in which they operate, Mother Raw will also donate one dollar for every vote cast to a local Vegetarian Food Bank (for a maximum $1,000 donation). Full details about The Mother Raw Duel of the Dressing are available at: motherraw.com/vote or search #duelofthedressings.
Mother Raw Background Since the North American debut of Mother Raw in January 2019, the company has been feeling the love from the plant-based community and plenty of people that simply love quality, great tasting food.
"Mother Raw consumers are vocal fans, super savvy shoppers, chefs and label readers with opinions we deeply value. They're always on the lookout for products with carefully selected, whole ingredients that promise great taste and convenience," added Knowles. "They certainly aren't satisfied with most store-bought dressings that are often over-processed and full of artificial flavours, fillers and stabilizers or have concerning levels of refined sugars and sodium. They love us for our clean, nutrient dense ingredients and amazing taste and versatility."
Mother Raw products are organic, vegan, free of common allergens, suitable for many dietary lifestyles and contain no refined sugar or artificial ingredients. Alike to homemade recipes, Mother Raw products are cold-blended, never heated, and always refrigerated. With the growing market for healthy options, delicious choices like Mother Raw Caesar, Japanese and Mediterranean dressings and marinades, as well as French Onion Dip, Vegan Queso, Ketchup, and BBQ Sauces help to make plant-based eating delicious and nutritious. Full product details: https://motherraw.com/collections/all
The company is guided by the principle that over-processing is over-rated, and all Mother Raw products are 'never heated, depleted or mistreated™'. Products are always cold-blended and kept cold from Mother Raw's kitchen to the refrigerated produce section and responsibly packaged in fully recyclable glass bottles and lids. Mother Raw's line-up continues to grow as the brand develops new and exciting product offerings.
Business is Blooming! A scrappy and loveable start-up, Mother Raw has experienced wild growth since their initial launch in January 2019. Mother Raw set an ambitious store count target and has already quadrupled its distribution, landing a targeted mix of retailers. Online sales growth has more than quadrupled quarter over quarter, and overall revenue growth in 2019 is expected to be well into triple digits.
With rapidly growing consumer and media influence over the past year, Mother Raw has secured key partnerships with leading peer brands like Earthbound Farms, Cece's Veggies and Purple Carrot. The company is in progress with a number of exciting partnerships and is actively seeking additional partners for 2020.
Mother Raw Products Available Across the US and Canada Mother Raw products are available in the refrigerated produce section of grocery stores and natural food stores across Canada and the US, with rapidly expanding presence (see store locator on site). All products can also be ordered online, for refrigerated shipping across the US and Canada, at www.Motherraw.com.
About Mother Raw Launched in 2019 as Mother Raw, the brand has grown out of an entrepreneurial Canadian brand called RawFoodz, which was originally founded in 2011 with one thought in mind: "Shouldn't your dressing be as healthy as your salad?"For more information: MotherRaw.ca or MotherRaw.com and follow us on Twitter: @motheraw and Instagram: motherraw
SOURCE Mother Raw
Amplitude Venture Capital Launches CAD $200 Million Fund Focused on Building World-Class Precision Medicine Companies
TORONTO, Nov. 6, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - Amplitude Venture Capital today announced the launch of a CAD $200 million fund to continue its successful investment strategy of building globally competitive Canadian healthcare companies. The Fund is focused on developing platform companies based on outstanding Canadian precision medicine innovation.
The Fund, which Amplitude co-created with cornerstone investor BDC Capital, has closed on more than 50 per cent of its target signalling strong support for Amplitude's investment strategy. Founded by the former healthcare investing team at BDC Capital, Amplitude is led by partners Jean-François Pariseau and Dion Madsen.
"Canada boasts an innovation-rich healthcare ecosystem that is home to world-leading academic and research centres," said Mr. Madsen. "For too long the capital and expertise necessary to scale potentially game-changing ideas into break-out companies has been largely missing in Canada. Our mission is to unite innovators with acceleration capital and our builder vision to create and scale great companies. This is where Amplitude will focus and thrive."
The Amplitude team managed a CAD $270 million healthcare investment portfolio from 2013-2018 as part of BDC Capital and played a critical role in creating, building, and growing two, billion-dollar Canadian public biotech success stories (Clementia and Zymeworks), and financed two other successful publicly-traded companies (Milestone Pharmaceuticals and Profound Medical).
"The promising track record of Jean-François and Dion in identifying high potential companies and adding genuine value to investments in such a highly specialized sector made BDC Capital's commitment to anchor Amplitude Ventures an easy decision," said Jérôme Nycz, Executive Vice-President, BDC Capital. "It fits with our overall strategy to build and deploy new, high-performing funds in the Canadian market. We are confident they will increase the velocity of company growth in the Canadian healthcare sector."
Amplitude's focus is on precision medicine where world-class Canadian innovators are driving the future of healthcare. The Fund will invest in early-stage and emerging Canadian companies and will also create new companies in collaboration with leading academic institutions.
"We believe we can capture the full potential of Canadian innovation and support and amplify the entrepreneurial vision of founders by providing the focused capital and connections that companies need to take their innovation from idea to IPO," said Mr. Pariseau. "We are grateful to our LPs for their foundational support. The collective vision of BDC Capital, Fonds de solidarité FTQ, Teralys, Investissement Québec, and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) gives us the platform we need to achieve our goals."
The Fund's first investment, in Repare Therapeutics, is now complete and is an excellent example of the kinds of companies Amplitude will support. Repare is developing new, precision oncology drugs that target specific vulnerabilities of tumor cells. Its approach integrates insights from several fields of cell biology including DNA repair and synthetic lethality. The Fund is an investor in both the Series A and the recent USD $83 million Series B round.
ABOUT AMPLITUDE: Amplitude Venture Capital deploys a growth model that has successfully been used to build Canadian companies with world-class management teams and scale companies to breakout potential. Since 2012 Amplitude's founding team has raised over $700 million of equity capital in private and public markets. Amplitude, with offices in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, launched its first private capital fund in November 2019, a $200-million fund that applies a proven, evidence-based approach to investing in leading Canadian precision medicine companies. Visit amplitudevc.com.
ABOUT BDC CAPITAL: BDC Capital is the investment arm of BDC - Canada's only bank devoted exclusively to entrepreneurs. With over $3 billion under management, BDC Capital serves as a strategic partner to the country's most innovative firms. It offers a full spectrum of risk capital, from seed investments to transition capital, supporting Canadian entrepreneurs who wish to scale their businesses into global champions. Visit bdc.ca/capital.
ABOUT THE FONDS DE SOLIDARITÉ FTQ: The Fonds de solidarité FTQ is a capital development fund that channels the savings of Quebecers into investments. With $15.6 billion in net assets as at May 31, 2019, the Fonds has helped create and protect 215,104 jobs. The Fonds has 3,126 partner companies and today has more than 700,000 shareholders-savers. Visit fondsftq.com.
ABOUT TERALYS: Teralys Capital is a private fund manager financing private venture capital funds investing in innovative businesses in information technologies, life sciences, and clean & industrial innovations. Our partner funds cover the entire investment spectrum from early stage start-ups to expansion, growth and technology buy-outs. With more than $2 billion in assets under management across four venture capital funds of funds and two additional legacy portfolios of funds, Teralys Capital is the largest innovation-focused investor in Canada. Visit teralyscapital.com.
ABOUT INVESTISSEMENT QUÉBEC: Investissement Québec's mission is to foster the growth of investment in Québec, thereby contributing to economic development and job creation in every region. The Corporation offers businesses a full range of financial solutions, including loans, loan guarantees and equity investments, to support them at all stages of their development. It is also responsible for administering tax measures and prospecting for foreign investment. Visit investquebec.com.
ABOUT CAISSE DE DÉPÔT ET PLACEMENT DU QUÉBEC: Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) is a long-term institutional investor that manages funds primarily for public and parapublic pension and insurance plans. As at June 30, 2019, it held CA$326.7 billion in net assets. As one of Canada's leading institutional fund managers, CDPQ invests globally in major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private debt. For more information, visit cdpq.com.
SOURCE Amplitude Venture Capital
The link between microbiomes and biodiverse soil dust may be key to understanding the relationship between green spaces and mental health.
Picture: Tony Faiola/Flickr
In a new study, published in Science of the Total Environment, University of Adelaide researchers found evidence of a potentially broadly-acting microbial link between the health of ecosystems and the health of people.
The research joins a growing body of evidence indicating exposure to green spaces has a range of health benefits – including on mental health – while greater urbanisation is linked with increased risk of mental health disorders.
It follows a paper published earlier this year, which found growing more native plants in cities would increase microbial diversity and help combat the rise of non-communicable diseases such as asthma and inflammatory bowel disease.
Lead author Craig Liddicoat, from the University of Adelaide’s School of Biological Sciences, said the study showed the inclusion of a rare organism – butyrate-producer Kineothrix alysoides – was linked with reduced anxiety-like behaviour.
“Butyrate is a small molecule that results from the breakdown of plant material, but it is also a key product linked to gut health and mental health in humans,” Liddicoat said.
“We found that the guts of mice in the high biodiversity treatment were ...
Personalising stroke treatment using brain computer interfaces
UNDER STRICT EMBARGO UNTIL 01.00 GMT 7 NOVEMBER 2019
Not for publication or broadcast before this time
After only one hour of training with a brain computer interface (BCI), there were significant changes in people’s brains suggesting that BCIs could be personalised for treating stroke and other brain disorders. That’s according to new research in The Journal of Physiology published today.
A BCI allows humans to control devices using only their thoughts. The technology works by measuring the electrical activity of the brain (using a non-invasive technique called an electroencephalography- EEG) and translating it by means of artificial intelligence (AI) into an action, such as communication with a computer or the movement of a prosthetic arm.
But are BCIs just reading out neural information or could they also be changing the brain itself. If so, can these changes be used for therapy?
A collaboration between researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, the Technical University of Berlin in Germany and the Public University of Navarra in Spain, investigated the impact of two different BCIs on the human brain.
One task involved participants imagining that they were moving their arm or foot (a so-called motor imagery task) while the other task involved picking out letters from a screen (a visual task). Not only did they find changes in brain areas specific to the type of task being performed (e.g. visual tasks led to changes in visual areas of the brain), but more importantly these changes happened within a very short period (one hour), and not after weeks of physical training. It is well-known that changes can happen when a physical task is being performed, but changes to the brain due to BCI tasks that are purely mental, has been unheard of so far.
Arno Villringer, one of the authors of the study said:
“The spatial specificity of BCI effects (e.g. that a visual task impacts the visual areas in the brain) opens up the opportunity of tailoring BCI-based therapeutic approaches individually. In other words, we may be able to personalise treatment for stroke patients according to where in the brain they have damage.”
Klaus-Robert Müller, machine learning and AI expert adds:
“Tailoring BCI might allow us to use it in the future for rehabilitation in all sorts of brain disorders. Artificial intelligence is key to enabling this technology, as it allows the BCI application without long patient training.”
Notes for Editors
Full paper title: Immediate brain plasticity after one hour of Brain–Computer Interface (BCI) https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1113/JP278118 (link will only work after the embargo date. Before then, please email the press office for a copy of the paper)
The Journal of Physiology publishes advances in physiology which increase our understanding of how our bodies function in health and disease. http://jp.physoc.org
The Physiological Society brings together over 4,000 scientists from over 60 countries. The Society promotes physiology with the public and parliament alike. It supports physiologists by organising world-class conferences and offering grants for research and also publishes the latest developments in the field in its three leading scientific journals, The Journal of Physiology, Experimental Physiology and Physiological Reports. www.physoc.org
Opinion: Young people need our support - we must seize this tremendous opportunity
By Patricia Scotland, Commonwealth Secretary-General1 November 2019 - for immediate release Our world seems to be changing faster than ever – technologically, environmentally, socially – and in so many other ways. It is hard for any of us to keep up with the astonishing pace and scale of developments, and their impact for better or for worse on our own lives and the ways in which they affect the future of our planet. Yet too often it seems that those with the greatest stake in the future, are least empowered to shape it: young people. This is something the Commonwealth has for more than 50 years been working hard to change; and never more so than today. Population growth means that there are now more young people in the Commonwealth than ever before, and this offers choices and challenges for all involved in planning and making policy, and for young people themselves. The combined population of the Commonwealth is now 2.4 billion, of which more than 60 per cent are aged 29 or under, and one in three between the ages of 15 and 29. Through social media, young people are more connected, informed, engaged and globally-aware than ever before. Even so, their potential to drive progress and innovation is often overlooked or remains untapped, despite pioneering Commonwealth leadership over the decades on inclusiveness and intergenerational connection.Since the 1970s, Commonwealth cooperation has supported member states with provision of education and training for youth workers, who have a central role to play in encouraging, enabling, and empowering young people. Practitioners may be of any age, and operate in many settings: youth clubs, parks, schools, prisons, hospitals, on the streets and in rural areas. Commonwealth approaches and engagement recognise the dynamic role youth workers can play in addressing young people's welfare and rights, and in connecting and involving them in decision-making process at all levels. In some Commonwealth countries, youth work is a distinct profession, acknowledged in policy and legislation to deliver and certify quality of practice, including through education and training. In others it is institutionalised less formally through custom and practice. In some countries there is little or no youth work activity - formal or informal.To advance the cause of young people, and their direct participation in nation-building and the issues affecting them, the Commonwealth Secretariat supports the governments of member countries with technical assistance relating to policy and legislation in professionalising youth work. A pioneering Commonwealth contribution is the Commonwealth Diploma in Youth Development, which has been delivered in almost 30 Commonwealth member states.The new Commonwealth Degree and Diploma in Youth Work provides countries with a resource for developing human capital using a consortium business model that makes the training resources accessible at low cost for persons in low income contexts. The Commonwealth also supports the global collectivisation of youth work professionals through the emerging Commonwealth Alliance of Youth Workers' Associations (CAYWA), an international association of professional associations dedicated to advancing youth work across the Commonwealth. CAYWA facilitates the cross-pollination of ideas and collegial support among youth work practitioners, and is developing into a unified global influence providing support to governments and all stakeholders in youth work profession. Expertise is offered by the Commonwealth Secretariat with the design of short courses and outcomes frameworks that support just-in-time and refresher training to augment diploma and degree qualifications. Guidance is also offered on establishing youth worker associations that can help towards building and sustaining professional standards, thereby safeguarding the quality of services offered to young people.In 2019 a conference in Malta bringing together youth workers from throughout the Commonwealth continued to build recognition and professional standards of youth work in member countries. Among outcomes was the establishment of a week-long celebration of the extraordinary services of full-time practitioners and volunteers – recognised as youth workers - who support the personal development and empowerment of young people. Youth Work Week, with the theme 'Youth Work in Action', will be observed 4 -10 November 2019 in the 53 member states of the Commonwealth. Looking forward to the 2020 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Rwanda next June, Youth Work Week will bring into sharper focus the challenges young people in our member countries face, and the opportunities they are offered – including through Commonwealth connection. By recruiting and placing appropriately trained and properly supported youth workers, communities in Commonwealth countries can help young people channel their energies and talent in positive directions, especially during the transition from education into work.Supported by positive role models and with mentors to whom they can relate, young people can be guided towards healthy and productive lives. When equipped to develop as well-rounded individuals and to contribute to the societies in which they live, young people can make immense contributions towards transforming our communities and our Commonwealth and – above all - to their own future.
U.S. Military Gains Quicker Access to Migraine Relief through FDA-Cleared CEFALY Technology
A new partnership between CEFALY Technology and QB Medical puts wearable medical devices in the hands of health care providers and grants active military immediate relief from migraine headaches
NEW YORK, November 5, 2019 _ Move over lengthy approval process, a new partnership between CEFALY Technology and QB Medical, Inc. means waiting for migraine relief will be quicker, and less of a headache for active military and their dependents.
“We are excited to team up with QB Medical and help active military and their dependents more easily findmigraine relief,” said Jennifer Trainor-McDermott, CEO with CEFALY Technology. “It’s an honor to be able to offer these brave men and women less obstacles on their path to recovery.”
Prior to the partnership, active military and their dependents, had to navigate a lengthy approval process to obtain a device through TRICARE, a health care program for uniformed service members, retirees, and their families. From start-to-finish, a service member could be looking at several weeks of potential migraines before receiving their CEFALY device. Under the new partnership, health care providers will have the ability to have inventory on hand to provide patients’ during their scheduled appointments.
“This is a big difference that will be felt immediately among soldiers seeking help from migraine headache,” said Shawn Nelson, CEO with QB Medical, Inc., who completed his service as a healthcare provider for the US Navy and later started his Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). “The CEFALY device has proven to be instrumental to soldiers, particularly those that have to be careful what medications they consume or who simply cannot tolerate more drugs in their system.”
The CEFALY device is the first FDA-cleared medical technology of its kind for the treatment of migraine headaches. It is a non-invasive device placed on the forehead that uses two distinct programs (ACUTE and PREVENT) to stimulate and desensitize the area research identifies as a center for migraine pain, the Trigeminal nerve. Since CEFALY is not a drug, it can be used with an existing treatment or as a standalone option. Patients who use the device consistently show a decrease in migraine days and in intake of migraine medication.
It’s estimated that about one-third of returning soldiers have migraine pain in the first months after coming home, per the American Migraine Foundation1; and yet studies repeatedly show the condition is frequently underdiagnosed. In 2017, there were more than 15,000 active-duty soldiers with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), according to the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center2, which is the Defense Department’s office of responsibility for tracking TBI data in the U.S. military. So far for 2018, more than of 3,600 cases of TBI have been reported for the first quarter3. Headache is one of the most common symptoms after TBI.
About CEFALY Technology
CEFALY Technology is a Belgium-based company, with US offices based in Wilton, Connecticut, specializing in electronics for medical applications. It has developed external cranial stimulation technology for applications in the field of neurology; in particular for treating migraines. For more information, visit https://www.cefaly.us.
About QB Medical
QB Medical, Inc. is a medical supply distributor located in Chula Vista, Ca. Founded in 2005, QB Medical services over 100 government-funded medical centers. QB Medical is passionate about discovering the most effective medical products for our military service members, veterans, government healthcare providers and patients. For more information, visit https://www.qbmedical.com.
TIPS TO BUST BURNOUT & BOOST ENERGY BEFORE, DURING, & AFTER THE HOLIDAYS
Holistic Nurse Shares How to Feel Your Best During the Season of Giving'Tis the season for family, friends, and....festive burnout!Officially classified as a medical condition earlier this year by the WHO, burnout is a growing mental health problem in America and it affects more people during the holidays than at any other time of year. It's understandable why our energy levels are depleted. The holidays bring an overwhelming array of seasonal demands (from shopping, baking, decorating, and entertaining, to traveling and excessive eating and drinking.) After the holidays we feel mentally, physically, and emotionally drained. But for many, the holiday blues peak even sooner. A survey from last year shows one in three Americans experience ‘Festive Burnout’ before Christmas even comes! According to Burnout expert Jennifer Marcenelle, it takes a concerted effort to replenish your energy this time of year but it is vital in order to avoid burnout."Burnout is a huge mental health problem this time of year and it needs to be taken seriously because it can lead to an assortment of health and wellness issues...." ...says Jennifer Marcenelle who has dedicated her career to combating the burnout epidemic. The term burnout is tossed around so casually today, it is difficult to know where normal stress stops and where burnout begins. It's true that the holidays bring on a number of festive commitments. We are all stressed. We are all tired, and we are all trying to balance our time against a growing to-do list. According to Jennifer, this is how burnout begins. It creeps in slowly and undetected. By recognizing the earliest warning signs and by replenishing your energy, it is preventable. We all know diet, exercise, sleep, and hydration are paramount to health. During the season of eating, moderation is key. It is important to balance indulgences with a bit of physical activity, nutritious food, and a lot of water. Fueling your body with fresh whole food will fuel your energy and it might sound counterintuitive, but expending energy through exercise will too. Avoiding burnout also starts with mindfulness. Taking a few minutes out of your day to clarify your intentions and be in the moment are helpful. Jennifer is also an advocate of other holistic techniques like meditation, deep breathing, yoga, and Gemstone and Diamond therapy. "The holidays are an opportunity to enjoy quality time with family and friends but if you are burned out, no one wins. With so many things depleting your energy it is important that you take time to recharge so you can sustain mental and physical health..."...says Marcenelle whose firsthand exposure to the day-to-day stresses of critical care nursing opened her eyes to the burnout epidemic that ravages Americans. As a result, she experienced personal, professional and spiritual burnout, and after a near-suicide, she became her own critical care patient. Now she is on a mission to help others take their life back from burnout. Jennifer Marcenelle is urging awareness for mental and emotional health. She is sharing tips and actionable advice people can use to avoid and combat festive burnout, improve mental wellness, and have a happier, healthier holiday.IN AN INTERVIEW OR ARTICLE JENNIFER MARCENELLE CAN DISCUSS:Insight and actionable advice people can use to avoid and combat burnout during the holidaysWarning signs of burnout and the difference between normal stress and a serious problemTips for improving mental, physical and emotional health during the holidaysMulti-dimensional holistic solutions for stress and anxietySeasonal strategies for burnout ABOUT JENNIFER MARCENELLE: Jennifer Marcenelle MBA, BSN, RN, HBC-HN is a Board-Certified Holistic Registered Nurse with over 30 years of experience in the medical industry. She currently holds degrees in nursing and business, with a specialization in Holistic Healing for burnout. As an energy medicine practitioner and the Founder and CEO of Burn Bright Today, she helps people improve mental wellness and recover from burnout and other challenges. A certified Gemstone and Diamond Therapy Practitioner, Marcenelle has dedicated her career to helping people move from Burning Out to Burning Bright.For More Information Visit:https://burnbrighttoday.com
Christie Innomed and Hitachi Healthcare Americas Announce Exclusive, Strategic Partnership
Through this alliance, Christie Innomed expands its imaging portfolio to become a key player in the ultrasound market and a premier destination for medical imaging solutions across the country.
MONTREAL, Nov. 1, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - Christie Innomed is appointed by Hitachi Healthcare Americas as the exclusive nationwide distributor for its diagnostic and surgical ultrasound imaging systems in Canada. Together with its multivendor experience servicing ultrasound, Christie Innomed now becomes more than ever a true, one-stop, independent resource for Canadian healthcare facilities.
"Christie Innomed's long-standing experience in diagnostic imaging sales, technical service and clinical support makes them the ideal partner to grow our market share in Canada." said John Waddell, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Hitachi Healthcare Americas. "Moreover, both our companies share the same patient-centric approach and customer-first philosophy, ensuring customers will receive expert support and service, as well as great customer care".
"We are proud to partner with Hitachi Healthcare Americas," said Martin Roy, President and CEO, Christie Innomed. "Hitachi is a recognized pioneer in the ultrasound industry and has advanced the standard of real time imaging by developing cutting-edge ultrasound technology to meet the needs of every user— from innovative transducer design, high-performance consoles to advanced clinical applications. The addition of the Hitachi ultrasound systems to our current portfolio fits well with our mission to offer the best-of-breed technologies to the medical community so they can deliver the best patient care possible."
Among the offerings Christie Innomed will make available throughout Canada is the latest Arietta 850 system, which features breakthrough wide-broadband 4G CMUT transducer performance and new eFocusing transmission and reception technology that enhance the ultrasound image, allowing healthcare providers to see more clinical detail. The platform also features a robust set of applications ranging from radiology and general imaging, to obstetrics, gynecology (OB/GYN), and expanding clinical versatility. Christie Innomed plans to market the system as a primary model for premium shared-service ultrasound diagnostic systems.
Current state-of-the-art ultrasound solutions from Christie Innomed will be demonstrated at the upcoming Société de Radiologie du Québec 2019 (SRQ 2019) annual meeting in Montreal on November 1-3, 2019 and at Radiological Society of North America (RSNA 2019) in Chicago on December 1-6 2019. To learn more about Hitachi's Ultrasound products visit Christie Innomed at the SRQ annual conference or Hitachi Medical Systems at RSNA booth # 1911 South Hall.
Not attending SRQ or RSNA? Contact Christie Innomed for a demo!
About Christie Innomed
Christie Innomed develops, distributes, integrates and supports medical equipment and software solutions to improve the performance of Canadian healthcare institutions.
Founded in 1954, Christie Innomed is a leader in offering best-in-class, innovative Medical Imaging solutions and in managing the lifecycle of a full range of technology assets for over 1,500 hospitals and clinics.
With more than 250 experts providing vendor-agnostic sales and service from seven locations nationwide, Christie Innomed empowers facilities across Canada to achieve greater efficiencies and deliver more reliable patient care.
Hitachi Healthcare Americas delivers best in class medical imaging technologies for healthcare providers. Hitachi's MRI, CT and Ultrasound along with Agfa HealthCare's Digital Radiology provide speed, comfort and quality for both physicians and patients and play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of disease while driving social innovation into healthcare. Hitachi's VidiStar image and reporting platform enables healthcare professionals to create value-based reports leveraging a cloud-based image management and analytics platform for improved communication across the healthcare organization. Physicians can grow their business into pediatrics, orthopedics and other unique patient populations while exploring new areas to compete. With an optimized and patient centric approach healthcare providers can deliver strong value into their communities and Hitachi will be there to support them. Our customer first philosophy compels us to make customer support one of the most important things we do. Innovating Healthcare, Embracing the Future.
