From missed opportunities to save those at risk of overdose to the latest breakthrough research in multiple sclerosis, Unity Health Toronto experts offered insights this week into our rapidly changing world. Here are our top media hits for the week of January 15 to 21.

Half of Ontario opioid deaths interacted with health-care system the month before: study
The Canadian Press on January 18, 2022
Feature of research led by Dr. Tara Gomes and Dr. Gillian Kolla

One in four Ontarians who died of accidental opioid overdose during the pandemic interacted with the healthcare system in the week prior to death, according to a report by Dr. Tara Gomes and Dr. Gillian Kolla.

Also featured in the Toronto Star; Canada Tonight on CBC; iPolitics

Epstein-Barr virus may trigger MS later in life, research suggests
CBC The National on January 19, 2022
Interview with Dr. Jiwon Oh

Dr. Jiwon Oh, director of BARLO MS Centre, speaks to CBC’s The National about new research that definitively links the Epstein-Barr virus and MS.

Also on CBC The Current

Why letting users know what’s in the drugs they’re taking is important as opioid deaths rise
CBC News Toronto on January 20, 2022
Feature of Toronto’s Drug Checking Service; interview with Hayley Thompson

Toronto’s Drug Checking Service, a program coordinated by the Centre for Drug Policy Evaluation at St. Michael’s, helps people who use drugs be aware of the content of their drugs by anonymously collecting and analyzing samples from harm-reduction agencies. CBC Toronto speaks with program manager Hayley Thompson about the importance of the service.

High-risk Ontarians lagging on third doses of COVID vaccine
Toronto Star on January 21, 2022
Interview with Dr. Stephen Hwang

Dr. Stephen Hwang, director at MAP Centre for Urban Health Solution, speaks to the Toronto Star about strategies to boost third-dose vaccination rates among the city’s homeless population.

Ontario announces 3-step plan to ease pandemic restrictions
CBC Power & Politics on January 20, 2022
Interview with Dr. Fahad Razak

Ontario is set to ease COVID restrictions starting January 31. Dr. Fahad Razak, internist at St. Michael’s Hospital, explains how data give us reasons to be optimistic, but limited testing makes it hard to tell when cases will have truly peaked.

Doctors are noticing patients are drinking more, fuelling more hospitalizations
Toronto Star on January 15, 2022
Interviews with Dr. Sam Elfassy and Dr. Andrew Pinto

Pandemic data show an increase in alcohol-related hospitalizations. Unity Health physicians Dr. Sam Elfassy and Dr. Andrew Pinto talk to the Toronto Star about the worrying trend.

‘Uniquely awful’: Ontario hospitals face shortages of critical drugs to treat COVID patients
Toronto Star on January 17, 2022
Interview with Dr. Beth Leung

Dr. Beth Leung, Unity Health infectious disease pharmacist, weighs in on the global shortages of drugs to treat COVID-19.

Ontario’s top doctor issues directive on patient transfers amid record hospitalizations
CP24 on January 14, 2022
Interview with Dr. Fahad Razak

Dr. Fahad Razak, internist at St. Michael’s Hospital, explains to CP24 why the current phase of the pandemic is ‘doubly difficult’ for the health care system.

Will Omicron End the Pandemic?
The Agenda with Steve Paikin on January 14, 2022
Interview with Dr. Prabhat Jha

Dr. Prabhat Jha join TVO’s The Agenda to discuss what we know about Omicron and if the variant will move the pandemic to an endemic.

Expect more worrisome variants after omicron, scientists say
The Associated Press on January 15, 2022
Interview with Dr. Prabhat Jha

Dr. Prabhat Jha tells The Associated Press why it’s critical to increase vaccination across the world, and why low global vaccination rates are a ‘colossal failure in global leadership’.

Researchers examine why Ontario ER visits spike when COVID-19 cases drop
CBC News Ottawa on January 19, 2022
Interview with Dr. Tara Kiran

Data show that visits to Ontario emergency departments spike when COVID-19 cases drop. Dr. Tara Kiran, family physician at Unity Health Toronto, weighs in on why this may be the case.

What we now know about Omicron
CBC Radio Cross Country Check Up on January 16, 2022
Interview with Dr. Prabhat Jha

Dr. Prabhat Jha, epidemiologist at St. Michael’s Hospital, explains to CBC’s Cross Country Checkup what we can learn from other countries where Omicron arrived earlier.

Air Canada, WestJet, Pearson airport urge end to COVID-19 arrival testing for vaccinated travelers
The Globe and Mail on January 17, 2022
Interview with Dr. Irfan Dhalla

Dr. Irfan Dhalla, Unity Health Toronto vice-president of care experience & equity, speaks with The Globe and Mail about current testing policies for fully-vaccinated travelers.

Some Canadian travellers want to know why those entering from the U.S. face less stringent rules
CBC News on January 18, 2022
Interview with Dr. Prabhat Jha

Dr. Prabhat Jha, epidemiologist at St. Michael’s Hospital, weighs in on COVID testing rules at Canadian airports, and why they no longer make sense in the face of Omicron, which has spread globally.

We are Black and Indigenous front line workers. Our own parents died of COVID-19 in Canada’s inequitable health system
Toronto Star on January 18, 2022
Essay co-authored by Dr. Suzanne Shoush

Dr. Suzanne Shoush, a family physician at St. Michael’s Hospital, shares a deeply personal account of losing her father to COVID-19 during the pandemic.

Uptake of third vaccine doses lags in many parts of the GTA that have been hot spots
Toronto Star on January 18, 2022
Interview with Dr. Ripudaman Minhas

Dr. Ripudaman Minhas shares strategies on how to boost third-dose vaccination rates in Peel Region, including having clinics that open later or that are held at familiar locations.