2023

  • Announcement: Dr. Nicole Redvers has been named to a World Health Organization TAG

    December 13, 2023
    "During COP28, 13 members of the TAG on Ethics and Climate Health were announced. They serve in their personal capacities to represent a broad range of disciplines relevant to ethics, climate change, and health. Congratulations to Dr. Nicole Redvers and all the members of the TAG on Ethics and Climate Health with such a great recognition."

  • 2023 Highlights

    December 12, 2023
    This year, our Department welcomed change, embraced hybrid events, and achieved numerous successes.

  • Western research shows men sleep better than women

    November 29, 2023
    "The study found sleep quality was significantly linked to sex, age, income, education and ethnicity."

  • Western study shows: Exercise gains stick after financial rewards fade

    November 14, 2023
    Western researchers studied the impact on physical activity after financial incentives were offered and then removed a year later.

  • Western prof’s service to country inspired by medical career

    November 09, 2023
    Dr. Ian Ball, MD’02, was a well-established critical care physician when he joined the Reserve Force of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 2018. Inspired to improve care for sick and injured CAF members, he supports medical training and contributes to trauma and toxicology research for the military.

  • Western researchers chart new approach to improving kidney transplant access

    November 07, 2023
    “Patients with advanced kidney disease in the trial were either approaching the need for dialysis or were already undergoing maintenance dialysis,” said Garg. “About half the patients approaching the need for dialysis started dialysis during the trial period.”

  • A new classification of heart rhythm for stroke patients

    October 13, 2023
    The study, led by Western professor Dr. Luciano Sposato, proposes that atrial fibrillation detected post-stroke exhibits distinct characteristics. It has a lower prevalence of risk factors, cardiovascular comorbidities, and changes associated with upper chambers of the heart than atrial fibrillation known prior to the stroke. This could potentially explain its association with a decreased risk of another ischaemic stroke, which results from a blocked artery.

  • Study Reveals Food Insecurity Doubles the Incidence of Severe Hypoglycemia in Adults with Diabetes

    October 13, 2023
    "We have shown that food insecurity is prevalent across this population in the U.S. and it more than doubles the rate of severe hypoglycemia. Even in Canada, about one in five people experience food insecurity. " Dr. Alexandria Ratzki-Leewing says.

  • Expert Analysis: COVID-19 Outlook for the Upcoming Autumn

    October 05, 2023
    Nearly four years have elapsed since the initial human cases of COVID-19 infection, triggered by SARS-CoV-2, were documented. Despite the cessation of the global health emergency on May 5, 2023, COVID-19 continues to pose a significant public health challenge. As we approach the autumn and winter seasons, characterized by heightened respiratory virus activity, it is prudent to reevaluate the prevailing risks associated with COVID-19 and the corresponding recommendations.

  • New study finds Canadian children’s visits to the ER for mental health concerns increased during the pandemic

    September 21, 2023
    “This is the first study to explore the relationship between children’s mental health and food insecurity by examining linked health record and survey data, which gives us an accurate snapshot of how food-insecure children are using mental health services,” said lead author Kelly Anderson, associate professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Canada Research Chair in public mental health research, and adjunct scientist at ICES Western.

  • Study finds food insecurity link affects children’s mental health

    July 25, 2023
    “This is the first study to explore the relationship between children’s mental health and food insecurity by examining linked health record and survey data, which gives us an accurate snapshot of how food-insecure children are using mental health services,” said lead author Kelly Anderson, associate professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Canada Research Chair in public mental health research, and adjunct scientist at ICES Western.

  • Schulich Medicine & Dentistry joins historic pledge to preserve planetary health

    May 17, 2023
    “Our planet and our health-care systems are stressed. We are witnessing environmental devastation that impacts the lives and health of some of the most marginalized and underserved populations globally. Health-care professionals and health systems need to be prepared for this,” said Western professor Nicole Redvers, co-chair of AFMC’s Committee on Planetary and Global Health. Redvers is director of Indigenous Planetary Health and associate professor in the department of epidemiology and biostatistics at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry.

  • Western study explores link between neighbourhoods and heart health

    February 23, 2023
    While it can be debated whether good fences make good neighbours, a new study by Western researchers, Dr. Sarah S. Singh, Dr. Saverio Stranges and Stephanie J. Frisbee, shows that good neighbourhoods could indeed do a lot of good to your heart.

  • Research projects receive more than $9 million in federal funding

    February 23, 2023
    Shehzad Ali, whose research focuses on the equity and efficiency of health systems, is undertaking a project on how to maximize population health while integrating equity into policy evaluations to better inform decision-making. The resulting guidelines will, for the first time, facilitate integration of equity into economic evaluations. The project received CIHR funding of $439,876 over four years.

  • Expert insight: Ontario telehealth cuts mean fewer trans, non-binary people will have access to life-saving health care

    February 03, 2023
    Exemptions from funding cuts are needed to ensure trans and non-binary people can get medical care

  • Study shows virtual care removed barriers for patients during pandemic

    January 23, 2023
    The study, recently published in BMC Primary Care, was led by Dr. Bridget Ryan, Assistant Professor in the Centre for Studies in Family Medicine, the Department of Family Medicine and the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry.

  • Making clinical trials research more efficient focus of new funding

    January 19, 2023
    CIHR grants fund training program for pragmatic clinical trials and create new pan-Canadian consortium.

  • Expert insight: FAQ on COVID-19 subvariant XBB.1.5

    January 17, 2023
    XBB.1.5 is rapidly spreading across the globe and will likely become the next dominant COVID-19 subvariant