Alberta's Pharmacists Administer 1 Million COVID-19 Shots
EDMONTON, AB, May 26, 2021 /CNW/ - Alberta's community pharmacists have rapidly surpassed One Million COVID-19 vaccinations since the first group of 100 pharmacies began receiving vaccine back in March of this year. Since then, access to COVID-19 vaccine expanded to include over 1200 community pharmacies working as quickly as possible to administer vaccine to as many eligible Albertans as the vaccine supply allows. As of May 23rd, 2021, Alberta's community pharmacists had administered 1,024,852 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, which is 40% of all COVID-19 vaccines delivered in the province.
Pharmacists participating in Alberta's COVID-19 Pharmacy Immunization Program (ACPIP) have worked incredibly hard these past months to prioritize COVID-19 vaccination as an important part of their day-to-day care for local communities across the province. This is the second time in the last seven months that Alberta community pharmacists have surpassed the million mark for administering a public health vaccine. Last November, pharmacists administered over One Million influenza doses for Albertans helping to effectively eliminate circulating influenza virus this past season. This milestone marks yet another first for pharmacists in Alberta as they continue to support public health by vaccinating Albertans in the convenience of their own local communities.
First province to achieve One Million COVID-19 vaccinations by pharmacists.
First pharmacists in Canada to access and vaccinate with Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
First time Alberta pharmacists administered One Million influenza vaccinations in a season.
First community pharmacists in Canada to be authorized to administer publicly funded vaccines in 2009.
Looking ahead, pharmacists recognize that there is still a lot of work to do in the coming months to continue offering first doses and also start administering second doses. Many Albertans are turning to their trusted community pharmacist for advice and guidance about if, when, and how they can get vaccinated.
Pharmacists are hearing many reasons why individuals choose to be vaccinated. For some, it means protection for friends and family. For others, it has been so they can see loved ones again "so I can safely visit my elderly parent in her care facility once more." For another, it means "I can book my vacation without worrying about testing or quarantining when I get there," and for many others, it simply means "I'm glad I don't have to worry about isolating or quarantining from a close contact anymore now that I'm fully vaccinated." If you have questions or want to talk about your "Why" for vaccination, Start the Conversation with your trusted pharmacist.
The Alberta Pharmacists' Association (RxA) is tremendously proud of the continued efforts of all Alberta pharmacists who continue to play an integral role in the safe provision of COVID-19 vaccination as well as safe medication therapy during these challenging times in our healthcare system. RxA recognizes and thanks Alberta Health for its commitment to engaging with our organization towards a collaborative approach to achieving public health goals through community pharmacists for the benefit of all Albertans.
For two decades, the Alberta Pharmacists' Association (RxA) has been a champion for pharmacists in Alberta. We play an integral role in expanding pharmacists' practice, and we continue to advocate on their behalf towards excellence in patient care.
Recent blood donor data suggest that Canadians still remain vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection
Blood donation organizations to provide important assessment of how long immunity lasts
MONTREAL, May 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Results from the latest Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec studies, which together cover all 10 provinces, confirm that from coast-to-coast, Canada’s overall levels of seroprevalence due to SARS-CoV-2 infection remained very low earlier this year, as the roll-out of vaccines started ramping up. The Canadian Blood Services study is supported by the Government of Canada, through its COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF), whereas the Héma-Québec study is supported by Quebec’s public health institute, Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ). All organizations have been working collaboratively to provide Canadians and policymakers with a comprehensive assessment of infection and immunity in Canada and to prepare the groundwork to track how long immunity through vaccination lasts.
Overall Canadian Seroprevalence and Regional Differences
Canadian Blood Services data, based on blood donors, show that the seroprevalence due to infection (the number of people who had antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 due to a past infection) in Canadian provinces excluding Quebec was 2.2% in January. In contrast, in Québec, between January and March 2021, Héma-Québec data indicate that seroprevalence from infections was 10.5%. In this province, the roll out of vaccination resulted in an increase of this number of up to 14.7% of the population with some immunity.
“The low rates of seroprevalence across all 10 provinces show Canadians have been doing a great job following public health guidelines,” says CITF Executive Director Dr. Tim Evans. “But they also confirm that without high vaccine uptake, we are far from ending this pandemic.”
“The evolution of the pandemic has differed across the country,” adds Dr. David Buckeridge, Scientific Lead, Data Management and Analysis for the CITF. “That is clear from our statistical model that combines the results from Héma-Québec and Canadian Blood Services with other epidemiological indicators. However, the bottom line is that the level of immunity from infection remains low in Canada.”
“The Atlantic provinces have been doing a tremendous job at protecting people from SARS-CoV-2,” says Dr. Sheila O’Brien, Associate Director of Epidemiology and Surveillance at Canadian Blood Services and the study’s primary investigator. “By January 2021, nearly a year into the pandemic, of those who donated blood, the data still shows an exceptionally low percentage of people with antibodies resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection: 0% in Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland, 0.18% in New Brunswick, and 0.39% in Nova Scotia.”
The Prairie provinces, in contrast, had the highest seroprevalence with Manitoba at 5.4%, Alberta at 4.0%, and Saskatchewan at 3.5% in January 2021. “If we had looked at the percentage of Quebecers who had antibodies due to infection in January, our numbers might have been similar to the Prairie provinces data from Canadian Blood Services,” says Dr. Marc Germain, Vice-President of Medical Affairs and Innovation at Héma-Québec and the study’s lead researcher.
In Ontario, 1.9% of blood donors had antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 due to a previous infection, and in British Columbia the percentage was 1.6%.
Reports Highlight At-Risk Communities
“These reports also draw attention to the increased risk of infection among racialized communities, those living in poorer neighbourhoods, and young Canadians, aged 17-24, making them high priorities for vaccination and efforts to prevent the spread of infection,” says Dr. Evans.
Increasing racial inequality in infection and vaccination
Data from both Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec show the pandemic is affecting racialized Canadians twice as much as self-declared Caucasian Canadians.
“Consistently, from the beginning of the pandemic, seroprevalence rates were higher among racialized populations compared to donors who self-identified as Caucasian. By January 2021, the seroprevalence was about double in racialized donors,” comments Dr. O’Brien.
A similar trend was observed in Quebec although further studies would be needed to get a better understanding of the situation. “Non-vaccinated blood donors self-identifying as non-Caucasian had seroprevalence rates of 19.3%, whereas only 9.5% of non-vaccinated Caucasian blood donors had antibodies to SARS-CoV-2,” states Dr. Germain. “That means twice as many non-Caucasian blood donors had antibodies because of infection compared to Caucasians.”
Increasing risk of infection in poorer neighbourhoods
In wave 1, seroprevalence was similar in neighbourhoods of all socioeconomic indexes. However, donors living in the most materially deprived neighbourhoods (based on postal codes) saw seroprevalence grow much more rapidly over time. In January 2021, seroprevalence among donors living in the most affluent neighbourhoods was 1.2%, while for those living in the most materially deprived areas was 4.0%.
In Quebec, a similar trend, although not as evident, was also observed. Whereas 15.0% of blood donors from the most affluent neighbourhoods had antibodies due to either an infection or vaccination, 17.3% of donors from the poorest neighbourhoods had antibodies.
Increased risk in the 17-24 age group
“Canadian Blood Services found infection rates among donors aged 17-24 years-old increased significantly from 0.8% during wave 1 to 3.0% in November 2020 and to 3.5% in January 2021,” says Dr. O’Brien.
“In Quebec, the 18-24 age group had the highest seroprevalence by far with 19% of blood donors in this age group having antibodies due to infection or vaccination,” says Dr. Germain. “That compares to a seroprevalence of 9.8% for the 60-69 age group.”
“The disproportionate number of infections in young people is likely a product of both their front-line work environments and more at-risk behaviours,” says Dr. Evans. “But this also reflects effective public health efforts to protect seniors in the second wave. The immediate priority is to encourage this younger age group to get vaccinated now that they are eligible in most provinces.”
Serosurveys will help to determine how long immunity lasts
These serosurveys are confirming previous research that vaccines are working and producing antibodies in people. “We’re seeing the number of antibodies rising in people just days after being vaccinated,” says Dr. Germain. Interestingly, both Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec found that about 95% of donors who had been vaccinated at least two weeks before donating blood had vaccine-induced antibodies.
“What we do not yet know is how long immunity from infection or from vaccines lasts,” says Dr. Evans. “Continuing these serosurveys of blood donors will signal when people in different age groups start to show less immunity, which may help to inform the best timing of the possible need for a booster vaccination.”
In effect, Héma-Québec’s data shows antibodies are waning. “Of the 109 people who tested positive for antibodies in wave 1, 32 of them no longer tested positive for antibodies 7-10 months later,” says Dr. Germain. “That’s a seroreversion rate of 29%. If we look at people who had more severe cases of COVID-19 and therefore likely had more antibodies at the time of infection, 14% lost their antibodies within a year. This shows that antibodies from infection do not necessarily remain in people’s blood forever and suggests boosters might be needed.”
Blood donors as a measure of overall seroprevalence
“These studies can play a pivotal role in helping public health authorities assess policies,” says Dr. Evans. “They allow us to see the real picture of the epidemic on a continuous basis. They are also useful in that they point to policy blind spots such as faster growth in infection in racialized communities.”
“Our serosurveys offer important insight into the effects of the pandemic in Canada,” says Dr. Graham Sher, CEO of Canadian Blood Services. “It is important to acknowledge that serosurveys based on blood donors do have limitations. Blood donors self-select to be blood donors and donation selection criteria ensure blood donors are healthy, so caution should be exercised in extrapolating findings to all adult Canadians.” Other factors include that in some areas, access to a donation clinic or time to donate blood may be limited. There are also fewer young or elderly blood donors compared to the general population.
“That said, since extra blood samples are systematically collected from each donation, as blood collection activities are held in most regions and as we have the laboratories to carry out tests, we are uniquely positioned to help inform public health authorities as they plan the next steps and phases of the pandemic,” says Nathalie Fagnan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Héma-Québec.
“Indeed, when we use statistical modelling to triangulate across available data, the estimates of seroprevalence from blood donors are consistent with other epidemiological indicators such as deaths,” adds Dr. David Buckeridge. “The blood bank estimates are extremely valuable for monitoring the overall seroprevalence in Canada.”
About the Partnership
When the Government of Canada established the CITF in late April 2020, Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec reached out to offer their assistance. Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec routinely test blood donations and both organizations also regularly contribute to ethics-approved research studies like this one.
While the donation selection criteria ensure blood donors are healthy, caution should be exercised in extrapolating findings to all healthy adult Canadians because blood donors self-select to be blood donors, in some areas access to a donation clinic may be limited, and there are fewer elderly donors who donate blood compared to the general population.
About Canadian Blood Services
Canadian Blood Services is a not-for-profit charitable organization. Regulated by Health Canada as a biologics manufacturer and primarily funded by the provincial and territorial ministries of health, Canadian Blood Services operates with a national scope, infrastructure and governance that make it unique within Canadian healthcare. In the domain of blood, plasma, and stem cells, Canadian Blood Services provides services for patients on behalf of all provincial and territorial governments, except Quebec. The national transplant registry for interprovincial organ sharing and related programs reaches into all provinces and territories, as a biological lifeline for Canadians. For more information visit: blood.ca
About Héma-Québec
Héma-Québec acts as a supplier of human tissues intended for transplants (including cutaneous tissues, heart valves, and musculoskeletal tissues, such as tendons and bones), and makes them available to Québec hospitals. Héma-Québec retrieves and prepares eye tissues for use in cornea transplants.
Héma-Québec’s mission is to efficiently meet the needs of the Québec population for quality blood and other biological products of human origin. Héma-Québec encompasses 1,500 employees and nearly 255,000 blood, stem cell, mother’s milk and human tissue donors, in addition to thousands of blood drive volunteers. Each year, Héma-Québec delivers some 820,000 human biological products to Québec hospitals to meet the needs of patients. For more information visit: hema-quebec.qc.ca
About the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force The Government of Canada established the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force in late April 2020. The Task Force is overseen by a Leadership Group of volunteers that includes leading Canadian scientists and experts from universities and healthcare homes across Canada who are focused on understanding the nature of immunity arising from the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. To that end, the CITF is supporting numerous studies to determine the extent of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Canada (in the general population as well as in specific communities and priority populations), understand the nature of immunity following infection, develop improved antibody testing methods, and help monitor the effectiveness and safety of vaccines as they are rolled out across Canada. The Task Force and its Secretariat accordingly work closely with a range of partners, including governments, public health agencies, institutions, health organizations, research teams, other task forces, and engages communities and stakeholders. Most recently, the Task Force has been asked to support vaccine surveillance, effectiveness and safety as part of its overall objective to generate data and ideas that inform interventions aimed at slowing—and ultimately stopping—the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Canada. For more information visit: www.covid19immunitytaskforce.ca
Skylight Health Group Announces Expected Date of NASDAQ Exchange Listing
TORONTO, May 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Skylight Health Group Inc. (TSXV:SHG; OTCQX: SHGFF) (“Skylight Health” or the “Company”), a multi-state primary care management group in the United States, is pleased to announce that further to its press release dated May 13, 2021, it has received confirmation from The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) that its common shares will be able to commence trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market during the week of June 7, 2021 under the symbol “SLHG”, subject to the Company meeting the applicable bid price requirement for listing during the period beginning on the date of the Company’s share consolidation on May 28, 2021 through the initial listing date.
Skylight Health will retain its listing on The TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “SHG”. The Company will continue to trade to trade on the OTCQX under the symbol “SGHFF” until trading on the Nasdaq commences.
ABOUT SKYLIGHT HEALTH GROUP INC.
Skylight Health Group (TSXV:SHG; OTCQX:SHGFF) is a healthcare services and technology company, working to positively impact patient health outcomes. The Company operates a US multi-state primary care health network comprised of physical practices providing a range of services from primary care, sub-specialty, allied health, and laboratory/diagnostic testing. The Company is focused on helping small and independent practices shift from a traditional fee-for-service (FFS) model to value-based care (VBC) through tools including proprietary technology, data analytics and infrastructure. In a FFS model, payors (commercial and government insurers) reimburse on an encounter-based approach. This puts a focus on volume of patients per day. In a VBC model, payors reimburse typically on a capitation (fixed fee per member per month) basis. This places an emphasis on quality over volume. VBC will lead to improved patient outcomes, reduced cost of delivery and drive stronger financial performance from existing practices.
Currency Usage, Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements
All currency contained in this Press Release represent Canadian Dollars unless otherwise stated.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information
Statements in this news release that are forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in Skylight Health's filings with Canadian and United States securities regulators. When used in this news release, words such as "will, could, plan, estimate, expect, intend, may, potential, believe, should," and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements regarding the listing of our common shares on Nasdaq.
Although Skylight Health has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, there can be other factors that cause results, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, including, but not limited to: the ability of Skylight Health to execute on its business strategy, continued revenue growth in accordance with management's expectations, operating expenses continuing in accordance with management expectations, dependence on obtaining regulatory approvals; Skylight Health being able to find, complete and effectively integrate target acquisitions; change in laws relating to health care regulation; reliance on management; requirements for additional financing; competition; hindering market growth or other factors that may not currently be known by the Company.
There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, the results or events predicted in these forward-looking statements may differ materially from actual results or events.
Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release. Skylight Health disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law, and Skylight Health does not assume any liability for disclosure relating to any other company mentioned herein.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Neuroscientist from Université Laval, Dr. Steve Lacroix, wins prestigious award for spinal cord injury research
MONTREAL, May 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brain Canada and the Barbara Turnbull Foundation for Spinal Cord Research are pleased to announce that Dr. Steve Lacroix has been selected by an international panel to receive the 2020 Turnbull-Tator Award in Spinal Cord Injury and Concussion Research. Dr. Lacroix is being recognized for his publication “Microglia are an essential component of the neuroprotective scar that forms after spinal cord injury,” published in Nature Communications in 2019.
Since 2001, in honour of Barbara Turnbull, Brain Canada and the Barbara Turnbull Foundation have been partnering to support the need for exceptional research in the area of spinal cord and/or brain injury to improve the lives of those affected. Co-sponsored by the foundations, the Turnbull-Tator Award recognizes an outstanding publication by a Canadian researcher in the field. Selected based on the innovation and impact of the research and its findings, the recipient of the Award is provided with a $50,000 grant to continue their research and contribute towards advancing the research area.
“Barbara was a dedicated advocate for raising awareness and drawing public attention to the importance of recognizing and supporting excellence in Canadian-based research in areas relevant to spinal cord injury remediation and concussion assessment and treatment,” says Gary Goldberg, a director of the Barbara Turnbull Foundation for Spinal Cord Research. “It is a privilege to carry out her legacy through the Barbara Turnbull Foundation as she continues to be an inspiration for those working to make a difference in this field.”
Nominated by Dr. Serge Rivest, Dr. Lacroix is a leading Canadian neuroscientist with more than 15 years of experience in spinal cord research. His work focuses on protecting neurons following injury and promoting spinal cord regeneration and repair.
“I am humbled and grateful to accept this award in honour of pioneers who have dedicated their lives to research in the field of spinal cord injury,” says Dr. Lacroix, Professor in the Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine at Université Laval and Director of the Neurosciences Axis at the CHU de Quebec–Université Laval Research Center. “Collaboration has been a huge factor in this achievement, as I would not have been able to publish on my own. I consider myself lucky to have worked with brilliant Canadian colleagues Dr. Molly Shoichet at the University of Toronto, Dr. Marie-Ève Tremblay now at the University of Victoria, and a team of great students and research assistants who all played important roles.”
In the award-winning publication, Dr. Lacroix and his team use animal models to better understand the role of microglia – a type of immune cell found in the brain and spinal cord. They outline its effects in preventing neuronal death after a spinal cord injury and containing the spread of injury, thanks to what they have coined as the microglial scar. In addition, this paper has shown that a boost in the protective function of microglia could lead to improved recovery following injury.
“Our sincere congratulations to Dr. Lacroix and his team,” says Dr. Viviane Poupon, Brain Canada President and CEO. “This publication is transformative for the research community and is the kind of high-quality and rigorous research that will change how spinal cord injury is studied while accelerating discoveries for treatments and recovery.”
“The research that Dr. Lacroix and his team are conducting bring us all one step closer to achieving Barbara’s dream of improving the lives of people affected by life-altering injuries,” says Dr. Charles Tator, Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Toronto and Scientist at the Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network in Toronto. “I feel very privileged to have known Barbara and witnessed her infectious positivity and advocacy. She believed that people’s lives could be made better by science, and this is the essence of the award in our names.”
It is currently estimated that there are 85,000 people with spinal cord injury in Canada, with 4,500 new cases each year. These numbers are expected to rise over the next two decades due to Canada’s aging population.
“This funding from Brain Canada and the Barbara Turnbull Foundation is really essential for us to remain competitive internationally and develop innovative ways to understand something as complex as spinal cord repair,” said Dr. Lacroix. “My goal is to deliver the best research possible and hopefully inspire the next generation of Canadian scientists so they can shape the future of spinal cord injury research.”
This project has been made possible with the financial support of Health Canada, through the Canada Brain Research Fund, an innovative partnership between the Government of Canada (through Health Canada) and Brain Canada, and the Barbara Turnbull Foundation for Spinal Cord Research.
About the Barbara Turnbull Foundation for Spinal Cord Research
The initial purpose of the Foundation was to encourage the public to recognize and financially support internationally esteemed research being done in Canada in the field of neuroscience, particularly as it relates to the remediation of spinal cord injuries. More recently, the Foundation has expanded its area of interest to include both spinal cord and brain injuries, including concussions. Great advances have been made in neuroscience, and the driving force that encouraged Barbara Turnbull to write her autobiography Looking in the Mirror was the realization that these advances may make the goal of regaining function in the damaged nervous system attainable. Through continued research, there is the possibility of new discoveries which may result in repair or regeneration of the spinal cord and brain after injury. Successful remediation will improve the quality of life of those who have been affected by neurotrauma, as well as reduce the ongoing costs of providing associated care and support.
Based on a synergistic approach that recognizes excellence in collaborative research in Canada in the field of neuroscience, the mission of the Foundation is to enhance public awareness of the need to financially support this vision, to develop strategic cooperative initiatives with other institutions and foundations with similar interest, such as Brain Canada, and to fund the highest quality research in spinal cord and brain injury being conducted in Canada.
About Brain Canada
Brain Canada is a national non-profit organization that enables and supports excellent, innovative, paradigm-changing brain research in Canada. It plays a unique and invaluable role as the national convener of the brain research community. Brain Canada understands that better insight into how the brain works contributes to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of disorders of the brain, thereby improving the health outcomes and quality of life of all Canadians. To learn more, please visit braincanada.ca.
About the Turnbull-Tator Award
In 2001, the Barbara Turnbull Foundation, Brain Canada, and CIHR’s Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction established a partnership to recognize and support excellent brain research in the area of spinal cord injury. In 2019, the Barbara Turnbull Foundation for Spinal Cord Research and Brain Canada expanded the scope of the Award to include traumatic brain injury and concussion research, and to reposition the award to recognize a recent publication that significantly impacts those fields. Accordingly, the name of the Award was changed to reflect the close relationship, sense of common purpose, and aligned missions of both Barbara Turnbull and her neurosurgeon, Dr. Charles Tator, to promote awareness of the impact of spinal cord injury and its prevention, research into its treatment, and a better understanding of the nature, diagnosis, and treatment of concussion and traumatic brain injury. To learn more about the history of the Turnbull-Tator Award, click here.
Applications for the Turnbull-Tator Award were reviewed by members of an international peer review panel chaired by Dr. Charles Tator and composed of experts with experience in the relevant field(s) of spinal cord and/or brain injury research. Based on the reviewers' scores and panel discussion, the review panel recommended to the Barbara Turnbull Foundation and Brain Canada the top-ranked publication to receive the Award.
During the pandemic, online health coaching from medical students helped Veterans and Canadians improve their physical and mental health
MONTREAL, May 27, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - Isolation measures for Canadians during the pandemic have been shown to reduce healthy eating, regular physical activity, and sleep quality while increasing mental stress and weight gain. In response to this deterioration in physical and mental health, an online health promotion program developed at the McGill Comprehensive Health Improvement Program (CHIP) and funded by Veterans Affairs Canada was made freely available to over 1,600 Canadians during the pandemic. The primary beneficiaries of the program were Canadian Veterans and their families. The clinical impact on physical and mental health was recently presented to the faculty and staff at Department of Medicine rounds, McGill University Health Center (https://youtu.be/Z-3koUZ-nzc).
Medical students provide online health coaching to Canadians during the pandemic with excellent results.
A total of 9 Health Missions, each lasting 6-10 weeks, were completed using the MissionVAV platform. Overall, participants were very physically active, exercising, on average, the equivalent of walking 5 miles daily. During the DROP-5 Healthy Weight Mission, over 40% of overweight participants lost at least ½ pound each week (minimum of 5 lbs over 10 weeks). Throughout the program, participants also shared their experiences with teammates and rival teams, received daily health tips, and learned strategies to manage stress, sleep better and eat healthier. Overall, mental health indicators including, high stress levels and poor sleep quality, improved by at least 20% in nearly half of all participants.
During the past 8 months, medical students from McGill's Faculty of Medicine volunteered to act as online health coaches after they received training from faculty health professionals. These weekly email contacts, customized to the needs of each participant, further improved the positive impact of the Health Missions. With the addition of health coaching, early drop-outs declined significantly (from 19% to 7%) while participants remained in the Mission 36% longer. Daily exercise levels also increased by nearly 20%. The medical students also benefited from the experience as they learned first-hand the challenges surrounding adopting and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits known to improve both physical and mental health.
The upcoming "Mission Zen" will focus on finding balance in one's life as we emerge from the pandemic.
The medical students will once again be on board to help participants in their journey to master their health. Registration on missionvav.com is free.
Cision is the exclusive distribution partner of the McGill Comprehensive Health Improvement Program
SOURCE McGill Comprehensive Health Improvement Program (CHIP)
Media Release - Revera offering virtual tours to support older adults exploring retirement living
Virtual tours assist seniors preparing for their next chapter amid the pandemic
Mississauga, Ontario, May 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With more older adults exploring retirement living and assisted living options, Revera is proud to offer virtual tours of its many Revera residences across Canada.
Retirement living is recommended for people considering a lifestyle change to a more active and social environment or those looking for assistance with housekeeping or personal care in a safe, secure environment. From personal services and unique amenities to healthy meal plans, Revera offers a variety of independent and assisted living options.
“With the population of older Canadians continuing to increase, more adults than ever will be exploring retirement living options,” says John Beaney, Senior Vice President – Retirement, Revera. “With so many options, it’s important to be educated, especially in light of the pandemic, and our team is here to help.”
From customized programs and events, to healthy meals and services that meet unique needs, care is at the heart of Revera. Virtual tours connect prospective residents and their loved ones with local Revera team members to show visitors around the community safely, answer questions, and showcase what life at the residence is like. Whether people are looking for a new home in their neighbourhood or thinking of relocating to be nearer to their children and grandchildren, virtual tours are a convenient, timesaving way to plan and explore options without leaving home.
“A tour is an important first step in understanding your options and making the choice that’s right for you or your loved one,” says Beaney. “Our virtual tours provide a special opportunity to meet our knowledgeable and respectful team to give you peace of mind as you explore retirement living. No question is too big or too small.”
Revera’s active retirement communities provide a range of amenities, including games and activity rooms, salons and spas, landscaped grounds and paths, as well as a range of accommodations and personalized health and wellness services designed to be flexible and cater to evolving needs.
Revera is a leading Canadian-owned and -headquartered, owner, investor, developer and operator in the senior living sector. Through its portfolio of partnerships, Revera owns or operates more than 500 properties across Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom serving more than 55,000 seniors. The company offers seniors’ apartments, independent living, assisted living, memory care and long term care. With approximately 50,000 employees dedicated to providing exceptional care and service, Revera is helping seniors live life to the fullest. Through Age is More, Revera is committed to challenging ageism, the company’s social cause of choice. Find out more at ReveraLiving.com, Facebook.com/ReveraInc or on Twitter @Revera_Inc.
The Canadian Vaping Association urges New Brunswick to preserve adult access to flavoured vape products
Beamsville, ON, May 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- An opposition bill that would ban flavoured vape products has passed second reading with unanimous support in the New Brunswick Legislature. Health Minister Dorothy Shephard has said that the Progressive Conservatives plan to support the bill through committee. The Canadian Vaping Association (CVA) has previously cautioned New Brunswick that banning flavours will increase smoking rates and urges the Government of New Brunswick to change course before it is too late.
Recently, vapour advocates launched a campaign to save flavours. Over 90,000 emails have been sent nationally by vapers and harm reduction supporters to Members of Parliament. While the campaign is a federal initiative, it highlights the importance of flavours for harm reduction. Tens of thousands of Canadian have now told the government that they need flavours to remain smoke-free.
Historically, flavour bans have had little impact on youth use and have resulted in increased smoking rates among adults. Recent data from San Francisco shows that the same is true for youth. Following a flavour ban, San Francisco had an increase in youth smoking rates. Of course, youth and non-smokers should not vape, but good policy balances youth protection with harm reduction.
“Some governments view Nova Scotia as a leader in youth protection, but Nova Scotia is an example of well intentioned but failed policy. Following Nova Scotia’s flavour ban, the Atlantic Convenience Store Association said they experienced an unprecedented increase in cigarettes sales and urged regulators to reconsider the ban. Additionally, Nova Scotia has not produced any data to suggest that the ban had any effect on youth vaping rates. Nova Scotia failed to protect youth and has jeopardized the health of thousands of adults. No government should seek to emulate Nova Scotia’s failure,” said Darryl Tempest, Executive Director of the CVA.
Moreover, flavour bans benefit big tobacco by wiping out the age-restricted specialty vape shops sending ex-smokers back to combustible tobacco. With specialty vape shops closed, all vaping related sales will be driven through the convenience and gas station channels where tobacco companies have financial influence over retailers. This policy is a win-win for Big Tobacco, because vapers either revert to smoking or adopt the only remaining Big Tobacco owned products.
There is still time for New Brunswick to follow the science and support vaping for adult harm reduction. Increased education, consistent enforcement and restricting flavoured products to age-restricted specialty stores is a more effective pathway that balances youth protection with adult harm reduction.
Protein Industries Canada announces investment into new plant-based products made using Canadian-grown crops
Pea and canola protein ingredients will deliver on taste with appealing health benefits
WINNIPEG, Manitoba, May 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Protein Industries Canada announced a co-investment into a project that will utilize some of Canada’s most widely grown crops in the development of new plant-based foods and ingredients.
Merit Functional Foods, TWC Nutrition, Daiya Foods and Grand River Foods are partnering to utilize Merit Functional Foods’ pea, canola and blended pea-canola protein ingredients in new plant-based products. This could include alternative meat products, alternative dairy products and other beverages, developed by TWC Nutrition, Daiya Foods and Grand River Foods.
“Canada has become a global supplier of ingredients and plant-based foods. This project, led by Merit Foods, will help producers reach new markets while meeting growing consumer demand for alternative protein products. This will help us find high-quality Canadian ingredients and strengthen the Canadian economy,” said the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
“Adding value to our crops by turning them into innovative food products is a boon for our communities and the Canadian economy as a whole. This partnership will not only benefit Canadian pea and canola farmers by expanding their domestic market, but it will also benefit consumers of plant-based foods by giving them more options for top-quality Canadian-made products,” said the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food.
Protein Industries Canada is providing half of the investment into the project, with Merit Functional Foods, TWC Nutrition, Daiya Foods and Grand River Foods together investing the remaining half for a total project investment of $7.9 million. The project’s scaling up of Merit Functional Foods’ ingredient development represents a significant step forward not only in Canada’s intellectual property potential, but also the country’s ability to utilize its diverse crop selection in new ways that prioritize consumer health and taste.
“Canada is known for our diverse selection of high quality crops, but we have the potential to be known for what we can do with them,” Protein industries Canada CEO Bill Greuel said. “Merit Functional Foods has proven that our peas and canola make for ideal plant protein ingredients, and now TWC Nutrition, Daiya Foods and Grand River Foods will help show consumers around the world that these ingredients can be the base for healthy, delicious plant-based foods and beverages.”
Utilizing two widely grown Canadian crops in the project also presents significant opportunity for Canadian farmers, providing them with new options for marketing their commodities. Sourcing these ingredients domestically represents a new opportunity for Daiya Foods, TWC Nutrition and Grand River Foods, who will also be able to use them to expand both their Canadian and international markets.
"We're thrilled to be a part of this exciting group of industry leaders working together to help solidify Canada as the global leader in plant-based innovation," Merit Co-CEO Ryan Bracken said. "Supported by Protein Industries Canada's generous investment, we will be accelerating the next generation of plant-based foods with our game-changing protein ingredients. Together with this team, we'll make the taste, texture and fortification limitations of plant-based products a thing of the past. Whether used in a meat or dairy alternative, ready-to-drink beverage, supplement powder or beyond, this collaboration and our novel and value-added proteins will lift the Canadian Agri-Food industry as whole."
“The collaboration involved in this partnership will allow us to bring new plant-based innovations to our Kaizen Naturals brand of nutritional supplements that surpass the evolving consumer expectations for health products in Canada and around the world,” TWC Nutrition Vice President of Marketing and E-Commerce Jason Travis said.
“Daiya is a proud pioneer of plant-based food breakthroughs. Our team at the recently opened Daiya Global Food Innovation Centre is excited to join Protein Industries Canada to help realize the innovation potential of pulse-based protein ingredients,” Daiya Foods CEO Michael Watt said. “For more than 13 years, Daiya has led the industry creating plant-based foods that surprise and delight our consumers. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with Protein Industries Canada exploring the use of Canadian-grown resources to continue the momentum of the plant-based movement.”
“We are excited to be a part of sourcing Canadian-grown crops to feed Canadian consumers,” Grand River Foods Vice President Jeff Lanteigne said.
This is Protein Industries Canada’s 20th project announcement, and their 19th specific to their Technology program. Together with industry, they have invested more than $367 million to the Canadian plant-based food, feed and ingredients sector. They’re currently seeking Expressions of Interest for short-cycle projects under their Technology program stream, with a focus on commercialization and near-term market potential. They are also accepting ongoing Expressions of Interest as part of their Capacity Building programs.
Established in 2019, Merit Functional Foods is a Canadian company committed to exceeding expectations for plant-based protein, providing the market with the highest quality protein ingredients and blends that offer unmatched purity, exceptional taste and excellent solubility. Merit has built a 94,000 square foot state-of-the-art production facility in Winnipeg, where it produces a portfolio of pea and canola protein ingredients with exceptional functional and nutritional values. For more information, visit meritfoods.com.
About TWC Nutrition
Founded in 1999, TWC Nutrition is one of Canada’s largest companies of sports nutrition products, operating from the centre of Canada as one of North America’s premiere manufacturers and distributors of health and wellness products. With leading brands such as Kaizen Naturals and Bodylogix, TWC Nutrition products reach consumers in over 20 countries around the world.
With a continuously growing portfolio of naturally sweetened and flavoured supplements, TWC Nutrition empowers people to live an active and healthy lifestyle every day. Their product line includes whey, isolate and vegan protein powders, pre-workout, branched-chain amino acids, all-in-one nutritional shakes and mass gainers. TWC Nutrition products are certified by NSF International to ensure their products are tested to meet the highest quality health and safety standards.
About Daiya Foods
Daiya Foods was founded in 2008 out of a love for food and a commitment to healthy living. Today, as an industry leader and one of the founding members of The Plant Based Foods Association-US and The Plant Based Foods of Canada Association, Daiya remains passionate about celebrating delicious food that is dairy, gluten and soy free. Its line of premium plant-based foods, like burritos, frozen desserts, pizzas, Cheezecakes, Cream Cheeze Style Spreads, and wonderful cheese alternatives, including blocks, shreds, slices and sticks, are available in the dairy case and freezer aisle. Daiya also has a line of shelf-stable products like its Cheezy Macs, Cheeze Sauce and dairy-free dressings. Daiya’s selection of deliciously plant-based foods can be found in more than 25,000 grocery stores in the United States, including Whole Foods, Kroger, Safeway and Publix, as well as most natural food retailers. Daiya’s products are also available internationally in Latin America, Asia and Europe. For more information about Daiya, please visit www.daiyafoods.com, become a fan on Facebook or follow them on Twitter and Instagram.
About Grand River Foods Ltd.
Grand River Foods Ltd. is the further-processed division of Sunrise Farms group of companies. Since 1983 the humble beginning of one small processing facility in the city of Surrey, a suburb of Vancouver, B.C., has now grown to serve a wide range of customers, both domestically and internationally. Their Canadian family-owned and operated businesses produce quality food products from processing plants located in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario.
Grand River Foods produces quality products in their facilities located in Ontario and British Columbia. Their facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, producing high-quality, fully-cooked, par-fried and plain products made with poultry, beef, pork, seafood, cheese, vegetables and plant-based protein. Their delicious plant-based products are 100 per cent meat-free, dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan certified. Their portfolio includes but is not limited to: plant-based burgers, southern-styled breaded strips, Italian-styled meatballs and Italian sausage.
At Grand River Foods Ltd., they make continual investments in their people, facilities, technologies and equipment to ensure that their process and food solutions are continually improving. Their team consists of trained food scientists, product developers and food safety professionals who turn good ideas into great products.
4 Ways Exercise Can Help With Healthy Aging
You have heard many times that physical fitness is beneficial to your health. Ensure that you can spare some time to engage in physical fitness as part of your daily routine. Many studies have been conducted, and they aim to prove that physical fitness plays a crucial role in ensuring we can lead a healthy life. When you exercise regularly, your physical and mental health will improve significantly. You can also be independent as you grow older. Below are ways in which exercise ensures you will age in a healthy manner.
Physical Activity Ensures You’re Flexible
If you fail to take advantage of your flexibility, you’ll lose it eventually. Your range of motion will also improve when you engage in physical fitness. The degeneration process comprises four steps, and they usually progress naturally as we grow older. Fortunately, exercising helps to ensure the aging process is slowed down. Keep in mind that if one of the joints in your body fails to move through the normal range, there will be a limit to the number of activities you can engage in. For instance, you may struggle to wash your hair or even place dishes in the cupboard. The body will also react negatively when your range of motion is affected. In this case, the body will exert additional pressure on the neck. If the neck or any other body part is overworked, you’ll experience further complications, and the degenerative changes will accelerate.
The Quality of Sleep Will Improve
When youexercise regularly, you will sleep better since the body temperatures fluctuate during the workout session. Exercising ensures you’ll have a deeper sleep, which means you’ll wake up feeling more energetic and refreshed. When you sleep well, your memory, concentration, and standard movement will also improve, and there will be a reduced risk of injuries.
The Risk of Dementia Will Reduce
When you exercise regularly, your body will get enough oxygen, and unnecessary waste in the body organs and muscles will also be eliminated. One of the body organs that will gain significantly is the brain. When the brain has adequate blood flow, the body will manage to get rid of the harmful waste, and you’ll be at a lower risk of suffering from dementia.
Your Bone Health Will Improve
When you focus on strengthening the muscles and maintaining a healthy weight, your bone health will improve. Your risk of suffering from osteopenia and osteoporosis will reduce.
Are you an aging adult? Feel free to engage in physical fitness! We have outlined the benefits of being physically active, and you’re bound to gain significantly.
National Seating & Mobility Launches Lifestyle Magazine
NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National Seating & Mobility (NSM), North America’s largest provider of comprehensive mobility solutions, announces the launch of a new lifestyle magazine, Let’s Get Moving.
“Let’s Get Moving is a product of our company’s commitment to our clients,” said Bill Mixon, NSM CEO. “We want this magazine to be a celebration of our clients’ vibrant lives and a way we can build and deepen our relationship with them. Our customers are at the core of everything we do, and this magazine is no different.”
The premiere issue will be distributed through NSM’s network of more than 180 locations across the U.S. and Canada. A digital version of the magazine will also be available. Focused on celebrating independence and elevating important topics that impact those using mobility equipment, the magazine will highlight the personal stories of NSM clients as well as accessibility issues and product trends. Readers can expect sections centered on travel and recreation, advocacy, industry news and more.
“In the debut issue and every issue that follows, we want to delve into stories and topics that engage and empower our clients,” said Stephanie Buckley, vice president of marketing and editorial director for Let’s Get Moving. “We want to keep our clients up-to-date on the latest information about mobility and accessibility while also sharing their stories of living life to the fullest.”
NSM expects to release two issues of Let’s Get Moving in 2021 and will measure the magazine’s success as they explore content and frequency of future issues. The inaugural issue includes a cover story on world champion mountain bike racer Sean Simonson and delves into the topics of technology-driven care, alternate funding resources and more.
About National Seating & Mobility For more than 25 years, National Seating & Mobility has been advancing independence and enhancing the quality of life of individuals with mobility challenges. With a network of more than 180 locations, experts and resources across the U.S. and in Canada, National Seating & Mobility is North America’s largest and most trusted provider of comprehensive mobility solutions including complex rehab technology, home and vehicle accessibility, and full-service equipment maintenance and repair. National Seating & Mobility is the only national mobility solutions provider accredited by The Joint Commission for demonstrating quality and safe care. For more information about National Seating & Mobility visit nsm-seating.com.
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