From COVID-19’s impact on patients with disabilities to sharing culturally-specific health information on TikTok, Unity Health Toronto experts offered insights this week into our rapidly changing world. Here are our top media hits for the week of January 29-February 4.

‘People are stranded:’ A downtown hospital is seeing a rise in cold-related injuries as shelters struggle to find spots
Toronto Star on January 29, 2022
Interviews with Dr. Carolyn Snider, Dr. Stephen Hwang, Lp Pavey and Nicole Champagne

The St. Michael’s emergency department is seeing an alarming rise in people experiencing homelessness coming to seek shelter and suffering from cold-related injuries. Staff speak to the Toronto Star about what’s driving the trend.

Patients with disabilities had longer COVID-19 hospital stays, high readmission rate: study
The Canadian Press on January 31, 2022
Feature of research led by Dr. Amol Verma and Dr. Fahad Razak

Patients with disabilities had longer COVID-19 hospital stays and higher readmissions rates, finds a new study co-authored by Dr. Amol Verma and Dr. Fahad Razak.

Related opinion piece published in The Globe and Mail

We should debate the best COVID treatments. But let’s eschew revisionist history
The Globe and Mail on January 28, 2022
Opinion piece by Dr. Arthur Slutsky and Dr. Fahad Razak

In response to a highly controversial opinion piece about the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Arthur Slutsky and Dr. Fahad Razak write this response which welcomes debates of the best treatments, vaccine strategies, and public-health measures but cautions against defending vaccine skepticism.

Pediatrician encourages COVID-19 vaccinations through TikTok videos
CBC Metro Morning on January 31, 2022
Feature of Dr. Ripudaman Minhas

Dr. Ripudaman Minhas, St. Michael’s developmental pediatrician, speaks to CBC’s Metro Morning about engaging with the Punjabi-Canadian community and sharing COVID vaccine information via TikTok on Punjabi Kids’ Health.

Also featured on CBC Toronto

Cutting through the COVID confusion
Healthy Debate on February 1, 2022
Opinion piece by Dr. Tara Kiran

Dr. Tara Kiran, Unity Health Toronto family physician, writes in Healthy Debate how a new website confusedaboutcovid.ca can help families navigate the wave of information about COVID-19.

A recipe for hope: How to vaccinate the world and end the pandemic
Healthy Debate on February 3, 2022
Opinion piece by Dr. Danyaal Raza

While some wealthy countries are administering fourth vaccine doses, fewer than 10 per cent of people in low-income countries have received a single dose. Dr. Danyaal Raza weighs in on why we must address vaccine inequity to end the pandemic.

How Canada can avoid past mistakes as COVID-19 restrictions lift
CBC Second Opinion on January 28, 2022
Interview with Dr. Irfan Dhalla

As Ontario begins to lift COVID restrictions, Dr. Irfan Dhalla, Unity Health Toronto vice-president of care experience & equity, talks to CBC News about what we can learn from past waves.

High rate of COVID-19 deaths this month in southwestern Ontario due to rate of infections, say doctors
CBC News Windsor on January 30, 2022
Interview with Dr. Fahad Razak

Dr. Fahad Razak, epidemiologist and internist at St. Michael’s Hospital, tells CBC News that while one’s individual risk with the Omicron variant may be slightly lower, more people are getting sick and coming to hospital.

The Kids Left Behind
The Local on January 31, 2022
Interview with Dr. Ripudaman Minhas

Dr. Ripudaman Minhas, developmental pediatrician at St. Michael’s Hospital, weighs in on how in-person schooling can help to identify developmental delays in young children.

Up to four million Ontarians have had Omicron
CityNews on February 1, 2022
Interview with Dr. Fahad Razak

Dr. Fahad Razak speaks to CityNews about data from wastewater monitoring that estimates up to 4 million Ontarians may have contracted the Omicron variant in the last two months.

Also on CP24

Is COVID causing Canada’s birth rate to fall?
TVO’s The Agenda with Steve Paikin on February 3, 2022
Interview with Dr. Tali Bogler

Dr. Tali Bogler, St. Michael’s chair of family medicine obstetrics, talks to TVO’s The Agenda about how the pandemic has impacted childbearing.

Canadian pro goalkeeper working her way back from harrowing accident
TSN on February 3, 2022
Interview with Dr. Michael Cusimano

Last October, Canadian pro-soccer player Rylee Foster suffered extensive injuries in a car accident in Finland. Dr. Michael Cusimano, St. Michael’s Hospital neurosurgeon, speaks to TSN about these types of spinal injuries and the road to recovery.