Dying to Survive: Not in Vain, A Promise Kept ExploresLife and Death Impact of Patient Advocacy
New York, NY, Feb. 1, 2021 — They were killing her mother with negligence, Melissa Mullamphy recalls. And eight months later, Mullamphy’s mother succumbed following a cancer battle fraught with frustration, medical missteps and the endless bureaucracy that goes hand in hand with navigating our complex healthcare system.
Not in Vain, A Promise Kept isMullamphy’s candid account of her mother’s journey and the family’s roller coaster of emotions. Readers will witness the mistakes that compounded their pain, the small victories that gave them hope, and above all, the love that kept them going during an indescribably difficult time.
Each chapter in Not In Vain, A Promise Kept represents one month from her mother’s diagnosis to her passing. Mullamphy recalls the experiences with vivid detail (the names of doctors and nurses have been changed), hoping to prompt others to ask the tough questions and learn by her example.
“My goal in writing this book is to keep the promise that I made to my mom … to share her story so others don’t go through what she and my family went through,” Mullamphy says. “You can have input, control and make a difference in your loved one’s healthcare.”
Mullamphy shares shocking lapses in her mother’s care, including blood clots the doctor fails to notice, the confusion surrounding her mother’s DNR order, the time she found her mother wearing another patient’s bracelet and the unspeakable heartbreak of learning that that all along, the hospital had used the wrong type of chemotherapy drug for her mother’s specific cancer.
Not In Vain, A Promise Kept is not without moments of hope, such as when the family is told the tumor has shrunk and when her mother’s last-ditch surgery to remove the tumor is declared “wildly successful.”
Ultimately, Not In Vain, A Promise Kept pays homage to a life well-lived and a woman well-loved, and it’s Mullamphy’s aim to help other patients and their loved ones find their voices, understand their rights and learn how to navigate a deeply complex, imperfect healthcare system.
“Use your voice, and remember that you are not there to make friends,” she adds. “Sometimes you have to be the biggest mouth in the room, but speaking up can save your loved one’s life.”
Author Melissa Mullamphy has a master’s degree in clinical psychology and has worked in psychiatric emergency rooms and step-down houses. Forever a student of mental health, she has also worked with many nonprofits, including those benefiting military veterans. For almost 20 years, she worked as a domestic operations manager for a major corporation. Following her experience with her mother’s cancer diagnosis and treatment, she began blogging about current events as they relate to healthcare.
Vegas Stronger Awarded State Opioid Response Grant (SOR)
Second Consecutive Year Vegas Stronger Receives the Award; Continuing their Mission of Eradicating the Opioid Crisis in Nevada
Las Vegas, NV – January 31, 2022 – Vegas Stronger, a non profit whose mission is to help eradicate opioid addiction through treatment and housing in Las Vegas, has been awarded for the second consecutive year, the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The SOR is awarded to states/territories to address the growing opioid crisis. Initially awarded in FY 2018, these grants aim to increase access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) using the three FDA-approved medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD), reduce unmet treatment need, and reduce opioid overdose deaths through the provision of prevention, treatment and recovery activities.
“It’s no secret the pandemic has made the epidemic of opioid abuse in our state, in and in our country, much worse,” said Dave Marlon, Founder of Vegas Stronger. “This grant helps us accept all humans (18 and over) as patients when they have a Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD). This grant will also allow us to continue the hard work of reversing the epidemic of opioid abuse we are seeing – just in the past year we’ve seen 100k people die of opioid related overdoses nationwide.”
Vegas Stronger offers quality alcohol and other drug treatment to our most underserved. People of Color tend to have longer wait times to access Substance-Use Disorder (SUD) treatment and have shorter treatment episodes of care. Vegas Stronger provides fast access to care and treatment for as long as medically appropriate, which is atypical for nonprofit clinics treating homeless clients. Integrating mental health, primary care, and substance-use disorder treatment (as well as incorporating our 13 Elements - www.vegasstronger.org) are too uncommon in nonprofit community clinics.
As a research based clinic with Internal Review Board (IRB) studies at 2 major Universities ensure that the treatment provider is both evidenced bases and focused on delivering the best outcomes to our patients.
About Vegas Stronger
Vegas Stronger is a unique Non-Profit Organization 503(c)(3) focused on reversing the devastation caused to our community by the opiate epidemic and addiction. Our out-of-the box approach helps anyone afflicted, regardless of their race, socio-economic status, or housing situation, in an outpatient facility. We offer more than just traditional groups and are a growing facility with a sober boxing gym, coffee shop, bookstore, bicycle mission, and our customized “13 Core Elements Method.”
We facilitate that restoration to wholeness for individuals, families, and society at large, by creating awareness and providing access to both state-of-the-art and historically reliable remedies. Our services cater to all suffering from the depths of addiction. In many instances, residential rehab is not a viable or financial option.
Dying to Survive: Not in Vain, A Promise Kept ExploresLife and Death Impact of Patient Advocacy
New York, NY, January 31, 2021 — They were killing her mother with negligence, Melissa Mullamphy recalls. And eight months later, Mullamphy’s mother succumbed following a cancer battle fraught with frustration, medical missteps and the endless bureaucracy that goes hand in hand with navigating our complex healthcare system.
Not in Vain, A Promise Kept isMullamphy’s candid account of her mother’s journey and the family’s roller coaster of emotions. Readers will witness the mistakes that compounded their pain, the small victories that gave them hope, and above all, the love that kept them going during an indescribably difficult time.
Each chapter in Not In Vain, A Promise Kept represents one month from her mother’s diagnosis to her passing. Mullamphy recalls the experiences with vivid detail (the names of doctors and nurses have been changed), hoping to prompt others to ask the tough questions and learn by her example.
“My goal in writing this book is to keep the promise that I made to my mom … to share her story so others don’t go through what she and my family went through,” Mullamphy says. “You can have input, control and make a difference in your loved one’s healthcare.”
Mullamphy shares shocking lapses in her mother’s care, including blood clots the doctor fails to notice, the confusion surrounding her mother’s DNR order, the time she found her mother wearing another patient’s bracelet and the unspeakable heartbreak of learning that that all along, the hospital had used the wrong type of chemotherapy drug for her mother’s specific cancer.
Not In Vain, A Promise Kept is not without moments of hope, such as when the family is told the tumor has shrunk and when her mother’s last-ditch surgery to remove the tumor is declared “wildly successful.”
Ultimately, Not In Vain, A Promise Kept pays homage to a life well-lived and a woman well-loved, and it’s Mullamphy’s aim to help other patients and their loved ones find their voices, understand their rights and learn how to navigate a deeply complex, imperfect healthcare system.
“Use your voice, and remember that you are not there to make friends,” she adds. “Sometimes you have to be the biggest mouth in the room, but speaking up can save your loved one’s life.”
Author Melissa Mullamphy has a master’s degree in clinical psychology and has worked in psychiatric emergency rooms and step-down houses. Forever a student of mental health, she has also worked with many nonprofits, including those benefiting military veterans. For almost 20 years, she worked as a domestic operations manager for a major corporation. Following her experience with her mother’s cancer diagnosis and treatment, she began blogging about current events as they relate to healthcare.
Switch Health Announces New Medical and Scientific Advisory Board to Continue Guiding Evidence-Based Growth
TORONTO, Jan. 31, 2022 /CNW/ - Switch Health today announced that it has formed a new Medical and Scientific Advisory Board, with four leading physicians and scientists, Dr. Mark Gelfer, Dr. Christopher McCudden, Dr. Helen Tran, and Dr. Robert Petrella as the first appointees to the Board. The Board will be chaired by Dr. Gregory Taylor, Switch Health's Chief Medical Officer and Canada's former Chief Public Health Officer.
This new Board builds on Switch Health's commitment to reliable, science-based, and independent guidance on diagnostic testing as well as other patient-focused solutions. The Medical and Scientific Advisory Board's work will be critical as Switch Health identifies new opportunities and brings more innovative products and services to market.
Together, Doctors Petrella, McCudden, Tran and Gelfer will be working to advise the leadership team and Dr. Gregory Taylor, who was appointed Chief Medical Officer in May 2020 to lead Switch Health's growing team of healthcare professionals and advise on medical operations. As Canada's former top doctor in 2014 in his role as Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Taylor provides a unique understanding and expertise in what Canada has learned to date on global disease prevention and is helping forge a strong future for Switch Health through more Canadian-based innovative digital solutions to protect Canadians through this pandemic and in the future.
"We are extremely pleased that this respected group of physicians and scientists have agreed to join our Medical and Scientific Advisory Board," said Dilian Stoyanov, Chief Executive Officer at Switch Health. "It's imperative for us to get reliable and independent science-based advice from experienced and esteemed medical and scientific professionals to help guide our growth as a company. These experts have had a profound impact in academia and research across many medical fields in Canada."
"We are very proud to welcome Dr. Petrella, Dr. McCudden, Dr. Tran and Dr. Gelfer to Switch Health's growing team of medical and scientific experts," said Dr. Gregory Taylor, Chief Medical Officer at Switch Health. "I will rely on their advice to continue to re-tool how Canadians receive safe and reliable decentralized testing, and as Switch Health continues to play a lead role in transforming healthcare in Canada with innovative new diagnostic solutions and services."
The Board identified four pillars to guide its mandate, including: credibility; accuracy and validity in Switch Health's testing practices; ensuring best practices; and maximizing value of Canadian delivery models regarding integration, support, and innovation within the Canadian health care system.
Dr. Robert Petrella is Head (Chair) of the Department of Family Practice at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Professor Emeritus at the Center for Studies in Family Medicine at Western University. He also serves as Professor of Kinesiology at both UBC and Western. Dr. Petrella's research is focused on lifestyle interventions for chronic disease prevention and management. Dr. Petrella's has dedicated his career to furthering multi- and inter-disciplinary research on lifestyle management, physical activity, chronic diseases, and innovative technologies to improve the lives of all Canadians.
Dr. Mark Gelfer is a family physician specializing in Preventive Medicine at the TELUS Health Care Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia and until recently he was Corporate Medical Officer. He is a longstanding member of Hypertension Canada and as Co-Chair of the Hypertension Canada Guidelines Blood Pressure Measurement and Diagnosis sub-committee , Dr. Gelfer led the drafting of substantial medical advances in accurate measurement and diagnosis of high blood pressure. Dr. Gelfer gained global recognition for developing the BpTRU device, the first automated office blood pressure monitor, enabling the standardization of office blood pressure assessment through Automated Office Blood Pressure (AOBP), a practice now recommended by guideline bodies worldwide. Dr. Gelfer received the Hypertension Canada Innovation Award in 2019 and the George Fodor Award in 2021. Dr. Gelfer is also Co-Founder and Chairman of GenXys, a digital health company focused on precision prescribing with integrated pharmacogenomics.
Dr. Christopher McCudden is a Clinical Biochemist at the Ottawa Hospital and Vice Chair of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Ottawa, where he also serves as Associate Professor. He is the Deputy Chief Medical Scientific Officer and Medical Director of Informatics and Information Technology for the Eastern Ontario Regional Laboratory Association. Dr. McCudden's scientific expertise spans the disciplines of automated chemistry, laboratory informatics, quality improvement, plasma cell dyscrasias, and audit and feedback for laboratory test utilization.
Dr. Helen Tran is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto in the Department of Chemistry. She obtained a BS in Chemistry (minor in Chemical Engineering) from UC Berkeley and a PhD in Chemistry from Columbia University, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University. Dr. Tran is currently researching next-generation electronics that will autonomously respond to local stimuli and be harmonious with the human body, which will open doors for remarkable opportunities in environmental monitoring, advanced consumer products, and health diagnostics for personalized therapy. Dr. Tran has been awarded the Agilent Cary Recognition for Scientific Innovation Award, the Dorothy Shoichet Women Faculty in Science Award of Excellence, and the George Pegram Award.
About Switch Health
Switch Health Holdings Inc. (Switch Health) is an industry leader that is transforming how healthcare is delivered in Canada through cutting-edge decentralized next-generation diagnostics and patient-focused digital solutions. Switch Health developed an end-to-end, innovative, and accessible testing solution in Canada's fight against COVID-19, with its at-home and mobile collection kit to test Canadians safely, rapidly, and reliably for COVID-19. Switch Health's services are driven by its secure, proprietary patient portal, ASMO. Switch Health offers its gold standard of rapid and PCR testing in over 200 languages from the comfort of peoples' own homes or workplaces, with the guidance of trusted healthcare professionals and the delivery of results through some of Canada's top laboratories.
SOURCE Switch Health Inc.
But…Why? PodcastPrompts Listeners to Tap Into Resiliency and Find a Growth-Oriented Mindset
Sacramento, CA, January 28, 2022 —Listeners can jointop iTunes podcaster, licensed psychotherapist and bestselling author Michaela Renee Johnson as she dives into misconceptions, curiosities and concepts worth questioning in her brand new, narrative-shattering podcast, But…Why?
After 150 episodes of her Be You Find Happy podcast, and on the heels of the pandemic, Johnson started to research root causes of unhappiness. Her findings? That more growth actually stems from what is not making us happy. Johnson is kicking off 2022 by challenging listeners to dive deeper into creating a fulfilling life. Her But…Why? podcast pushes the envelope on how we look at our lives and tap into resiliency.
“Often times we find ourselves in situations where questions are formulated as a statement. Which creates an against the wall response,” Johnson said. “In this podcast, we challenge blasé responses to questions, we dive a little deeper and come at concepts of success in life and happiness from different angles.”
The But…Why? podcast launches January 2022 with the first episode, “Why resolutions are a waste of time,” and continues to feature celebrity guests like New York Times bestselling author Frank Schaeffer and History Channel biblical scholar Dr. Joye Pugh, who challenge ideas of putting career before relationships, loss of spirituality and more.
“Growth comes from what’s not serving us,” Johnson added. “What’s not bringing you happiness? But…why?”
Michaela Renee Johnson is the bestselling author of Empowered: A Motivational Journal for Women, a licensed psychotherapist and a counselor at the prestigious Couples Institute of San Francisco. She has an undergraduate degree in Journalism/Communication and a master’s degree in Psychology. An avid adventurer and aviator, Johnson has traveled to more than 20 countries. Her popular Be You Find Happy podcast was put on pause in December after 150 episodes. She lives with her familyand a homestead full of furred and feathered creatures in Northern California, where she enjoyshiking, gardening, creating pottery and reading.
But…Why? is now available on every major podcast platform. Watch for Johnson’s upcoming book, Growth Mindset Workbook for Adults: Empowering Insights and Exercises to Turn Challenges Into Opportunities and Achieve Your Full Potential. For more information, please visit www.michaelarenee.com.
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Reignite Your Spiritual Conviction in 2022
Toronto, ON/New York, NY, January 28, 2022 — Spiritual drifting was a concern for many churches way before the pandemic kept parishioners at home. Here to help Christians re-evaluate and reaffirm their spiritual journeys is senior pastor Alan Davey.
“We forget him so quickly,” Davey says, referring to Jesus. “The commonplace platitude ‘out of sight out of mind’ applies not just to people we see and know, but also to our Father in heaven.”
Our noisy world constantly pulls our attention in new directions and prompts us to pursue other interests and desires, he notes.
“Subsequently, we become tired Christians who suffer from a lack of conviction, authenticity and prophetic insight,” he says.
In his new book, Walking the Line: Embracing the Imperatives of Jesus, Davey shares insightful commentary, perspectives from a rich variety of Christian sources and authors, and lessons from Jesus himself to create an accessible guide to viewing the Bible and Christ’s teachings in a fresh light. Included are original drawings from the late artist Joy Kim and study questions at the end of each chapter to help reinforce the messages.
Davey masterfully underscores the value and importance of understanding and following the rules of Jesus — not just for individuals but for entire communities of faith.
“The rule of Jesus articulated in Matthew’s Gospel is neither obscure nor archaic,” Davey says. “Jesus’ imperatives speak powerfully to the contemporary issues of our day, and do so by illuminating a way of clarity, simplicity and love.”
Author Alan Davey is the senior pastor of Weston Park Baptist Church, an inner-city church in Toronto, and Adjunct Professor of Christian Spirituality and Worship at Tyndale University and Seminary. He is co-author of Climbing the Spiritual Mountain (Wipf & Stock, 2014), Abba’s Whisper (Wipf & Stock, 2017) and The Passionate Bride (Wipf & Stock, 2019).
Davey is also an avid scuba diver, hiker, singer, guitarist and art lover. While writing Walking the Line, Davey was asked to officiate at the funeral for his wife’s niece, the late artist, teacher and musician, Joy Kim. While leafing through a collection from her final exhibition, “Have You Walked in My Shoes?”, Davey was inspired to include some of her oil pastel drawings of shoes, boots, and slippers in his book to represent the disciples who embrace Jesus’ imperatives in the everyday of their lives.
Walking the Line: Embracing the Imperatives of Jesus Publisher: Wipf & Stock ISBN-10: 1725290340 ISBN-13: 978-1725290341 Available from Amazon.com, BN.com and wipfandstock.com
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But…Why? PodcastPrompts Listeners to Tap Into Resiliency and Find a Growth-Oriented Mindset
Sacramento, CA, January 27, 2022 —Listeners can jointop iTunes podcaster, licensed psychotherapist and bestselling author Michaela Renee Johnson as she dives into misconceptions, curiosities and concepts worth questioning in her brand new, narrative-shattering podcast, But…Why?
After 150 episodes of her Be You Find Happy podcast, and on the heels of the pandemic, Johnson started to research root causes of unhappiness. Her findings? That more growth actually stems from what is not making us happy. Johnson is kicking off 2022 by challenging listeners to dive deeper into creating a fulfilling life. Her But…Why? podcast pushes the envelope on how we look at our lives and tap into resiliency.
“Often times we find ourselves in situations where questions are formulated as a statement. Which creates an against the wall response,” Johnson said. “In this podcast, we challenge blasé responses to questions, we dive a little deeper and come at concepts of success in life and happiness from different angles.”
The But…Why? podcast launches January 2022 with the first episode, “Why resolutions are a waste of time,” and continues to feature celebrity guests like New York Times bestselling author Frank Schaeffer and History Channel biblical scholar Dr. Joye Pugh, who challenge ideas of putting career before relationships, loss of spirituality and more.
“Growth comes from what’s not serving us,” Johnson added. “What’s not bringing you happiness? But…why?”
Michaela Renee Johnson is the bestselling author of Empowered: A Motivational Journal for Women, a licensed psychotherapist and a counselor at the prestigious Couples Institute of San Francisco. She has an undergraduate degree in Journalism/Communication and a master’s degree in Psychology. An avid adventurer and aviator, Johnson has traveled to more than 20 countries. Her popular Be You Find Happy podcast was put on pause in December after 150 episodes. She lives with her familyand a homestead full of furred and feathered creatures in Northern California, where she enjoyshiking, gardening, creating pottery and reading.
But…Why? is now available on every major podcast platform. Watch for Johnson’s upcoming book, Growth Mindset Workbook for Adults: Empowering Insights and Exercises to Turn Challenges Into Opportunities and Achieve Your Full Potential. For more information, please visit www.michaelarenee.com.
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LifeLabs’ President and CEO receives ‘Top Industry Leader’ award
Toronto, Ontario, Jan. 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- We are pleased to share that LifeLabs’ President and CEO, Charles Brown, has received a “Top Industry Leader” award from Life Sciences Voice.
The Top Industry Leaders awards are prestigious and highly sought after. Charles is featured amongst some of the most influential leaders in the industry, including Presidents, CEOs, and other senior executives of life sciences companies. As shared by Life Sciences Voice, these leaders are “driving the industry forward with their remarkable contributions and transformational work.”
“I am truly honoured to receive this recognition. It is a reflection of the tireless efforts of the entire LifeLabs team, who have remained agile, collaborative, and resilient through these challenging times,” says Charles. “From the onset of COVID-19, our team has been on the front lines of the pandemic, supporting health care providers and Canadians. I couldn’t be prouder of this team and this recognition of their contributions.”
Charles was nominated by the Life Sciences Voice community and a research team who choose potential winners from across industry sectors. The group actively tracks industry events and news to assess and select a diverse list of winners who are making a lasting impact in their field of work. This process allows for the discovery and celebration of well-deserving leaders.
"In 2021, the Life Sciences sector has remained in focus and many of the leaders have been in the spotlight trying to solve the crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic," shared Jean Coolidge, editor-in-chief of Life Sciences Voice, in the official press release. "It has been an unprecedented year and many leaders have found themselves in unknown territory dealing with rapid change and accelerated transformation, while trying to plan for the new normal. The highly dynamic environment has made the decision making extremely difficult and onerous."
Life Sciences Voice is the leading industry publication with a global reach of 2.7 million readers. The award process follows the most rigorous judging process and only the top industry leaders make the cut.
To learn more about the award and the other individuals included in the list, please click here.
About LifeLabs
LifeLabs is Canada’s leading provider of laboratory diagnostic information and digital health connectivity systems, enabling patients and health care practitioners to diagnose, treat, monitor, and prevent disease. We support 20 million patient visits annually and conduct over 100 million laboratory tests through leading edge technologies and our 6,000 talented and dedicated employees. We are a committed innovator in supporting Canadians to live healthier lives, operating Canada’s first commercial genetics lab, and the country’s largest online patient portal, with more than 5 million Canadians receiving their results online. LifeLabs is 100% Canadian owned by OMERS Infrastructure, the infrastructure investment manager of one of Canada’s largest defined benefit pension plans. Learn more at lifelabs.com.
Canadian study reinforces need for hip fracture prevention strategies to help reduce future fracture risks and their associated costs
Study results align with United Nations' focus on maintaining functional independence, reinforces call for better integrated care to prevent hip fractures
The study results reinforce the importance of early hip fracture prevention strategies focusing on adults aged ≥65 and especially amongst those with a recent hip fracture to help reduce the high likelihood of experiencing a future hip fracture and their high social and human costs. Given the rapid ageing of Canada's population, the healthcare costs associated with hip fractures alone are predicted to increase to $2.4 billion by 2041 in Canada alone.i
The findings of this study are also aligned with the United Nations' focus on maintaining functional independence and promoting better integrated care during their Decade of Healthy Ageing.ii
"Hip fractures are often considered one of the most serious types of fracture because they frequently result in a devastating loss of independence and increased mortality," says Dr. Emil Schemitsch, an orthopedic surgeon and one of the study's lead authors. "The results of this study clearly support the need to recognize patients with a recent fracture as very high risk for experiencing a future fracture and treat them accordingly, enhancing our hip fracture prevention efforts, especially following a first fracture."
STUDY RESULTS
Key results of the study included the following:
A hip fracture occurred on average within 1.5 years after any type of prior fracture.
Hip fractures were the most common second fracture (27.8%), occurring in ≥19% of cases after each index fracture site and most frequently (33.0%) after an index hip fracture.
Among all fracture types related to osteoporosis, hip fractures contributed to 1 in 6 fracture-related surgeries and 1 in 7 post-surgical complications (e.g., heart attack, pneumonia and blood clot).
Patients with prior hip fractures are 4x more likely to die within one year post hip fracture than their non-fracture counterparts.iii
As highlighted in a recent report from the Public Health Agency of Canada, <25% of patients with a hip fracture receive some type of an intervention to prevent a future fracture, which is in a sharp comparison to the estimated 80% of patients receiving an intervention after a heart attack to prevent another event.iv
"Patients with osteoporosis who have suffered hip fractures are clearly falling through the cracks," says Dr. Samir Sinha, a geriatrician and director of geriatrics at Sinai Health and the University Health Network in Toronto. "It is critical that we take osteoporosis more seriously and better appreciate how vulnerable patients who have experienced hip fractures are. We need to make it a national priority that these patients receive more appropriate assessment and care given the enormous societal consequences related to hip fractures."
In declaring 2021-2031 the United Nations' Decade of Healthy Ageing, the UN has highlighted four specific areas to improve the lives of older people and their families and communities. Providing more integrated care is one of them and can be a crucial way to help improve both primary as well secondary fracture prevention after a prior hip or other fracture.
In Canada, Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) have been implemented at approximately 50 hospitalsv to ensure that, after an osteoporosis-related fracture, a patient gets assessed for their future fracture risk and, if appropriate, referred to an osteoporosis specialist. In addition, their general practitioner is informed that they had an osteoporosis related event so they can be supported and monitored appropriately.
ABOUT HIP FRACTURES
As common as a heart attack in adults aged ≥ 80 or in women aged ≥ 65, the prevalence of hip fractures is expected to significantly increase due to an ageing population.vi,iii In 2011, Canada's baby boomers began turning 65 years of age and by 2031, 1 in 4 Canadians will be ≥ 65 years of age.vii A hip fracture is sometimes described as a "bone attack", since it is one of the most serious outcomes of osteoporosis.iv,viii
In fact, 1 in 4 Canadian women and 1 in 5 Canadian men aged 65+ living in the community at the time of experiencing a hip fracture were found to enter a long-term care home within 1 year.ix Likewise, 1 in 3 adults aged 50-80 and 2 in 3 aged >80 will require the use of a walking aid within 1 year of their hip fracture surgery.x And although compared to Canadian women, men are 2x less likely to fracture their hip, they are 1.3x more likely to die following a hip fracture.xi
ABOUT OSTEOPOROSIS
Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD) and increased risk of fragility fracture.xii BMD decreases with age and declines more rapidly during menopause.xiii
In Canada, an estimated 10% of all adults aged >40 years and 21% of post-menopausal women have osteoporosis.xiii,xiv In Canada, osteoporosis is responsible for approximately 200,000 cases of fragility fractures annually.xv As Canada's population ages, the number of osteoporotic fractures is predicted to increase. xvi
In 2014, the annual cost of osteoporosis in Canada was estimated to exceed 4.6 billion CAD.xvii Increased screening of high-risk individuals and treatment-initiation may reduce the rate of fractures and lead to significant cost savings.
Osteoporosis is a largely preventable disease, yet hundreds of thousands of Canadians with osteoporosis still go undetected and untreated.xviii
ABOUT THE STUDY
A cohort of 115,776 patients aged >65 with an index fracture occurring at skeletal sites related to age-related bone loss between January 1, 2011, and March 31, 2015, was identified using health services data from Ontario, Canada, and followed until March 31, 2017.
The primary objective of this study of was to characterize imminent risk of hip fracture by describing the frequency, distribution and median time to subsequent hip fracture, based on the site of initial fracture.
The secondary objectives were to describe the frequency and distribution of fracture-related surgeries, surgery-related complications, healthcare costs and mortality 1 year following a hip fracture, relative to other fracture sites.
This study was financially supported by Amgen Canada.
ABOUT AMGEN CANADA
As a leader in innovation, Amgen Canada understands the value of science. With main operations located in Mississauga, Ont.'s vibrant biomedical cluster, and its research facility in Burnaby, B.C., Amgen Canada has been an important contributor to advancements in science and innovation in Canada since 1991. The company contributes to the development of new therapies and new uses for existing medicines in partnership with many of Canada's leading health-care, academic, research, government and patient organizations. To learn more about Amgen Canada, visit www.amgen.ca.
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i Wiktorowicz ME, Goeree R, Papaioannou A, Adachi JD, Papadimitropoulos E (2001) Economic implications of hip fracture: health service use, institutional care and cost in Canada. Osteoporos Int 12(4):271–278.
iii Brown, J.P., Adachi, J.D., Schemitsch, E. et al. Mortality in older adults following a fragility fracture: real-world retrospective matched-cohort study in Ontario. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 22, 105 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-021-03960-z.
v Kendler, D., Adachi, J., Brown, J. et al. A scorecard for osteoporosis in Canada and seven Canadian provinces. Osteoporos Int 32, 123–132 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-020-05554-2.
viii Siris ES. Patients with hip fracture: what can be improved? Bone. 2006 Feb;38(2 Suppl 2):S8-12. doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2005.11.014. Epub 2006 Jan 9. PMID: 16406848.
ix Nikitovic M, Wodchis WP, Krahn MD, Cadarette SM. Direct health-care costs attributed to hip fractures among seniors: a matched cohort study. Osteoporos Int. 2013;24(2):659-669. doi:10.1007/s00198-012-2034-6.
xSchemitsch EH, Sprague S, Heetveld MJ, Bzovsky S, Heels-Ansdell D, Zhou Q, Swiontkowski M, Bhandari M; FAITH Investigators. Loss of Independence After Operative Management of Femoral Neck Fractures. J Orthop Trauma. 2019 Jun;33(6):292-300. doi: 10.1097/BOT.0000000000001444. PMID: 30801388.
xiv Özlem ALTINDA⁄, Abdurrahman ALTINDA⁄*, Neslihan SORAN, Ahmet DEM‹RKOLHarran Üniversitesi T›p Fakültesi Fiziksel T›p ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dal›, fianl›urfa, Turkey*Harran Üniversitesi T›p Fakültesi Psikiyatri Anabilim Dal›, fianl›urfa, Turkey Quality of Life and Depression in Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis Available at http://www.ftrdergisi.com/uploads/sayilar/241/buyuk/61-641.pdf.
xvi Papadimitropoulos EA, Coyte PC, Josse RG, Greenwood CE (1997) Current and projected rates of hip fracture in Canada. CMAJ 157 (10):1357-1363.
xvii Hopkins RB, Burke N, Von KC, Leslie WD, Morin SN, Adachi JD, Papaioannou A, Bessette L, Brown JP, Pericleous L, Tarride J (2016) The current economic burden of illness of osteoporosis in Canada. Osteoporos Int 27 (10):3023-3032.
CALGARY, AB, Jan. 26, 2022 /CNW/ - Universal Ibogaine Inc. (TSXV: IBO) ("UI" or the "Company") a life sciences company with a mission to develop and deliver medicalized ibogaine-centered addiction care, is pleased to advise it has entered into an agreement (the "agreement") with Psygen Labs Inc. ("Psygen") to secure a supply of GMP ibogaine for use in its planned future clinical trial for opioid use disorder and ongoing ibogaine detox treatments at its clinics.
UI is in process of finalizing its pre-clinical trial ("pre-CTA") submission to Health Canada, following which it intends to apply to undertake a clinical trial of ibogaine for use in treatment of opioid use disorder(s). The final approval by Health Canada will require UI to have an approved, secure supply of GMP certified ibogaine to use in the eventual clinical trial process. Psygen is a Canadian company based in Calgary and is a leader in the manufacture of a range of medical grade products being used in the emerging psychedelics-based psycho-therapy field of treatment of anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.
The agreement covers basic terms as to pricing, manufacture, and delivery of ibogaine to UI, and a definitive drug supply agreement is to be finalized in the near future, incorporating such factors as the volume of ibogaine that will be required, based on the ultimate size of the of the patient group required for the planned clinical trials.
Nick Karos - Universal Ibogaine CEO Nick Karos noted "We are pleased to have secured a firm of Psygen's caliber as one of our key partners. Ibogaine has been used in tribal ceremonies in Africa for centuries and has traditionally been sourced for medical use from the root bark of a shrub found in limited areas of the Congo basin in Africa. Psygen has developed a process to manufacture synthetic ibogaine, which will provide a more secure and sustainable source of supply for our trials and a scalable solution for our treatment protocol to help as many people as possible. We look forward to a long-term partnership with Psygen as part of our goal of having ibogaine approved for wide-scale use in opioid detoxification and addiction treatments."
About Universal Ibogaine Inc. UI is a life sciences company, with a mission to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of its ibogaine based drug detox protocol through a Canadian Clinical Trial, and ultimately to utilize that protocol around the globe through future licensing agreements. UI is concurrently developing a state of the art holistic addiction treatment protocol at its Kelburn Clinic that, when paired with the ibogaine detox protocol, is intended to revolutionize the way we treat addiction and drastically improve the lives of individuals and families affected by addiction.
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