From the future of St. Joseph’s Health Centre to the impact of air pollution on our health, Unity Health Toronto experts offered insights this week into our rapidly changing world. Here are our top media hits from April 15-22.

Elliott announces over $1B in funding for expansion of Toronto’s St. Joseph’s Health Centre
Global News on April 20, 2022
Feature of investment in St. Joseph’s Health Centre

Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott announced an investment of over $1 billion for St. Joseph’s Health Centre. The funds will help build a new patient care tower, resulting in 100 new beds, an expanded emergency department and additional operating room space.

Canadians can make significant health gains by reducing traffic-related air pollution, report says
The Globe and Mail on April 21, 2022
Interview with Dr. Samantha Green

Dr. Samantha Green, Unity Health family physician, Board Member with the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, and Climate & Health Faculty Lead for The Department of Family & Community Medicine at University of Toronto, speaks with The Globe and Mail about a new report that illustrates the negative health effects from vehicle emissions.

Endometriosis, and the problem of women’s pain being overlooked or misdiagnosed
CBC The Current on April 21, 2022
Interview with Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe (15:30)

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women in Canada. But when patients seek care their pain is often overlooked or misdiagnosed. Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe, St. Michael’s family physician, joins CBC’s The Current to discuss how bias plays a role.

Canada has approved a COVID-19 prevention drug. Here’s who qualifies for Evusheld
Toronto Star on April 14, 2022
Interview with Dr. Darren Yuen

Dr. Darren Yuen speaks with the Toronto Star about a newly approved COVID prevention drug, and explains why it’s ‘really exciting’ for health care workers like him who treat transplant patients.

How to get Paxlovid in Ontario for COVID-19 treatment: Your questions answered
CTV News on April 17, 2022
Interview with Dr. Tara Kiran

Paxlovid can help reduce symptoms of COVID-19 and lessen the likelihood of hospitalization and death, but getting vaccinated to prevent getting COVID in the first place is so important, says Dr. Tara Kiran.

Where to find Paxlovid in Toronto and the GTA
Toronto Star on April 18, 2022
Interview with Dr. Tara Kiran

If you think you might be high-risk and have COVID symptoms, Telehealth can help you navigate how to access Paxlovid, says Dr. Tara Kiran.

Analyzing Science Table’s latest COVID modelling
CP24 on April 14, 2022
Interview with Dr. Fahad Razak

Dr. Fahad Razak, internist at St. Michael’s Hospital, joins CP24 to discuss the challenges of the sixth wave.

Saskatchewan has the lowest minimum wage in Canada. Doctors say it’s harming the health of workers
Press Progress on April 14, 2022
Interview with Dr. Danyaal Raza

Minimum wage increases and better working conditions can improve health outcomes for women and racialized workers, says Dr. Danyaal Raza. He speaks about the latest report from the Decent Work and Health Network.

Product label changes do not prevent accidental acetaminophen overdoses: Study
The Print on April 19, 2022
Feature of research led by Dr. Tony Antoniou

Research led by Dr. Tony Antoniou found changes to acetaminophen product labels did not decrease rates of hospitalization for accidental acetaminophen overdoses.

Why body mass index isn’t the best measure of health
Reader’s Digest Canada on April 21, 2022
Interview with Dr. Fahad Razak

While BMI can be a useful measure of a patient’s health status, it shouldn’t be the only one used, especially for anyone who’s not a white male, says Dr. Fahad Razak, internist at Unity Health.