By Stuart Phillips, Professor, McMaster University, Ontario Everyone can agree that exercise is healthy. Among its many benefits, exercise improves heart and brain function, aids in controlling weight, slows the effects of aging and helps lower the risks of several chronic diseases.  For too long, though, one way of keeping fit, aerobic exercise, has been […]

B.C. is experiencing elevated influenza and RSV activity, similar to levels experienced before the COVID-19 pandemic. In children, influenza activity is at the highest levels since the start of this respiratory season, serving as a reminder for families to take proactive steps to reduce their risk of serious illness. The BC Centre for Disease and Control (BCCDC) […]

British Columbia parents have spoken and for the second year in a row, Noah is the front-runner for the most popular name for babies born in the province. Noah is followed by Oliver, Olivia, Theodore, Liam, Jack, Emma, Sophia, Ethan and Leo, according to the Vital Statistics Agency’s preliminary figures for 2023. In 2022, the […]

While the holiday season is a time for celebrations, it can also be a time of year when people may feel lonely, stressed or triggered. The past few years have been difficult for people due to global unrest, the lasting impacts of natural disasters and the pandemic. On top of this, people in B.C. continue […]

The deaths of at least 342 people experiencing homelessness were reported to the BC Coroners Service in 2022, continuing an increase in deaths among the unhoused population of 138% in the past two years. During the period studied (2015-22), there were 1,464 deaths involving individuals identified as experiencing homelessness in British Columbia, equating to an […]

Keeping warm during winter will have a lower effect on air quality in B.C. as more incentives and education on replacing wood stoves with cleaner, healthier heating options roll out. “Burning wood is one of the largest air-pollution sources affecting B.C. communities, and switching to healthier, clean-heat sources can save people money by heating homes […]

In response to a recent increase in deaths caused by toxic drugs, the BC Coroners Service is issuing a public safety warning to anyone using substances purchased from the illicit market. In its October 2023 update, the coroners service revealed that the province is expected to record an unprecedented number of unregulated drug-related deaths in […]

A new memorandum of understanding between Interior Health (IH) and the seven Interior regional hospital districts (RHDs) will strengthen existing partnerships dedicated to improving care for people in the Interior. As part of the capital planning process, IH submits a funding request letter to the RHDs each December outlining the equipment, capital improvement projects and […]

The will be a virtual regional learning event regarding the toxic drug crisis in the Kootenays on Tuesday, December 5th. The Bridging Community Connections in Nelson: Human Rights and Harm Reduction event is being held from 1-2:30 p.m. During the December 5th virtual event, the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition will release a new report with […]

KERPA (Kootenay Emergency Response Physicians Association) is excited to announce a few additions to the program. KERPA would like to welcome Dr. Amy Rudkoski to the team. Dr. Rudkoski, born in the Kootenays, is committed to serving her community and will be undergoing a one-year training program with KERPA before responding to 911 calls on […]