Saturday, February 18, 2012

Cancer Screening Survey

Participation rates for breast, cervical and colon cancer screening in Ontario are below targeted levels. A team of researchers from the University of Toronto, York University, and Cancer Care Ontario are conducting a survey to find out why people don’t get screened for cancer.

To help out, take the survey at http://getscreened.ca/screeningsurvey/
(It should take 10 minutes or less to complete and there is an optional draw at the end for those that are interested).

The results of this research will be used to inform screening programs and interventions at the community level across Ontario.

To learn more, please visit the project website: www.getscreened.ca.


 

Healthy Snacking

It's 3pm, and although you had a decent lunch, you're hungry again. Want something healthy to munch on in order to get you through till dinner? Check out this list of satisfying yet guilt-free snack options (adapted from HealthLink BC):

- fresh fruit or individual containers of cut-up fruit
- raw veggies (carrots, peppers, zucchini, mushrooms) and low-fat ranch dressing
- plain popcorn
- pita triangles with hummus
- melba toast with natural peanut or almond butter
- low fat granola bar
- low-fat cottage cheese
- yogurt and granola
- fig bars
- small handful of almonds and dried fruit

A few tips:
- Watch out for the serving size! (aim for 100 to 200 calories per snack)
- Avoid high sugar, high fat or low protein options (ie. chocolate bars, chips, pop, cookies, etc.)
- Plan your snacks in advance (buy individual packages or take small portions from larger packages)
- Try to include food from 2 of the 4 food groups for each snack

Friday, February 17, 2012

This Week's Health News in Brief

CBC: Expect OxyContin health crisis, warns First Nations leader
CBC: Doctors look to bariatric surgery to treat obese youth

NY Times: Details of Bird Flu Research Will Be Released
NY Times: How 1-Minute Intervals Can Improve Your Health

Globe & Mail: Low vitamin D in pregnant women linked to children’s language problems
Globe & Mail: Preventative Aspirin therapy may cause bleeds: study

CTV: Some antacid medications may raise C. difficile risk
CTV: Remote-controlled chip implant delivers med doses

Waterloo Region Public Health: Regional clinic information

Toronto Star: Hydration — what’s the best drink for your work out routine
Toronto Star: Woman with rare disease needs bone marrow donor

Health Canada: Reminding Canadians of the Importance of Food Safety for Older Adults

For more news, visit the library to see the many newspapers and magazines we
subscribe to, access our
Press Display database featuring 1,700 newspapers from around the globe in 48 different languages, or search for a topic in the Canadian Newsstand database which gives you full text access to 41 different news sources from across Canada.

Health Tool of the Week:

Saturday, February 11, 2012

This Week's Health News in Brief



Waterloo Region Public Health: Free Prenatal Health Fairs


For more news, visit the library to see the many newspapers and magazines we
subscribe to, access our
Press Display database featuring 1,700 newspapers from around the globe in 48 different languages, or search for a topic in the Canadian Newsstand database which gives you full text access to 41 different news sources from across Canada.

Health Tool of the Week:

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Hot Off The Press Health (book review)

Our Bodies, Ourselves
The Boston Women's Health Book Collective

Originally published in 1970, this 40 year old bible for women's health has been completely revised and updated to include the latest information on female bodies, relationships, sexuality, reproductive choices, childbearing, and post-reproductive years. Interestingly, the book also looks at the political issues, social injustices and medical controversies surrounding women's health issues.

Although it serves as a great reference book, it's also enjoyable as a cover-to-cover read. It is well-written in language that is accessible to everyone, and is thoroughly researched providing several pages of resources. The text is loaded with first account stories from women of all ages and backgrounds as well as snip-its of helpful information such as debunked myths, FAQs, recommended reading, quotes and statistics.

The aim of the book is to educate and empower women about their bodies, sexual identities and celebrate their unique experiences - and it succeeds with flying colours.

To learn more or to place a hold on this book, visit our catalogue.