Sunday House Call #290

3:16

Information abounds about H1N1 flu prevention, infection control and best hygiene practices. Is this message resonating with groups that, according to public health officials and major health organizations like the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Health Protection Agency of Canada, are most at risk of harm should they become infected with H1N1?

One group is a focus of study for two Carleton University researchers who note that these messages are not resonating with many students. What is the reason for this reaction and is there a better way to communicate health risk concerns to this specific population?

• Dr. Hymie Anisman, Canada Research Chair in Neuroscience & professor in the Institute of Neurosciences at Carleton University and a professor within the Institute of Mental Health Research at the Royal Ottawa Hospital

3:33

We have discussed on past editions of Sunday House Call how we tend to think of heart attacks and stroke when considering the effects of cardiovascular disease. What should be included as well is peripheral arterial disease or PAD; a serious condition that causes significant morbidity and poor quality of life.

Edmonton researchers at the University of Alberta presenting their findings at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2009, co-hosted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, that people over age 40 be screened for peripheral artery disease. To explain the reasoning behind this recommendation,

• Dr. Ross Tsuyuki, BSc(Pharm), PharmD, MSc, Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) and Director, EPICORE  Centre, University of Alberta