Each week, journalists turn to Unity Health Toronto’s experts and programs to help make sense of our world. In case you missed it, here’s a recap of the headlines for the week of December 4-10.

What preliminary data might tell us about the Omicron variant’s future in Canada
The Globe and Mail on December 3, 2021
Interview with Dr. Peter Jüni

How will the new Omicron variant shape the pandemic in Canada? Dr. Peter Jüni, epidemiologist at St. Michael’s Hospital, lays out what the preliminary data tells us so far.

Marijuana may make sleep worse, especially for regular users, study finds
CNN on December 7, 2021
Feature of research led by Dr. Karim Ladha

Research led by Dr. Karim Ladha, anesthesiologist at St. Michael’s Hospital, reveals adults who use marijuana 20 or more days during the last month were 64 per cent more likely to sleep less than six hours a night and 76 per cent more likely to sleep longer than nine hours a night. Dr. Ladha speaks to CNN about his latest study and why more research is needed to explore the effects of marijuana on sleep.

Ovary removal with hysterectomy before menopause raises mortality risk: study
CTV News on December 8, 2021
Feature of research led by Dr. Maria Cusimano, Dr. Nancy Baxter

Researchers from Unity Health Toronto and ICES found that women under 50 who had their ovaries & fallopian tubes removed during a hysterectomy for non-cancerous reasons are at increased risk of death. Dr. Maria Cusimano speaks to CTV News about the findings.

The COVID-19 baby dilemma: Why Canadians are rethinking parenthood in 2021
Global News on December 3, 2021
Interview with Dr. Tali Bogler

Nearly one in four Canadians changed their fertility plans due to the pandemic, according to StatsCan. Dr. Tali Bogler, St. Michael’s Hospital chair of family medicine obstetrics, talks to Global News about how the pandemic has affected her patients.

The pandemic encouraged virtual family doctor visits. Are they here to stay?
Toronto Star on December 5, 2021
Interview with Dr. Tara Kiran

As policymakers consider the future of virtual healthcare, Dr. Tara Kiran , Unity Health family physician, speaks to the Toronto Star about the importance of ensuring virtual visits are accessible to all.

Toronto exploring the decriminalization of possession of small amounts of drugs
CBC The Current on December 6, 2021
Interview with Dr. Jeanette Bowles

Dr. Jeanette Bowles from the Centre for Drug Policy Evaluation speaks on CBC’s The Current about why the criminalization of drug use has “failed”.

African community group says Canada’s new COVID-19 travel rules an example of racism
The Canadian Press on December 8, 2021
Interview with Dr. Prabhat Jha

Dr. Prabhat Jha, epidemiologist at St. Michael’s Hospital, explains how travel bans to stop Omicron aren’t based on what we know about the science. “We’ve known that it didn’t really help slow the introduction of Delta,” he tells The Canadian Press.

Canada’s Omicron travel ban disrupts residents heading home
Reuters on December 9, 2021
Interview with Dr. Prabhat Jha

Dr. Prabhat Jha weighs in about the potential consequences of travel bans in the face of Omicron: “It’s theatre and not science. … It’s damaging in the medium and long term,” he tells Reuters.

Which COVID-19 booster shot should I get? Your questions answered
CBC News on December 9, 2021
Interview with Dr. Prabhat Jha

Dr. Prabhat Jha explains to CBC News how the latest evidence suggests the brand of COVID-19 booster that one gets doesn’t matter in terms of immunity.