Recent Publications and Bulletins
Background:
The first pandemic of the millennium was declared in June 2009. At that time, the pH1N1 virus was already in circulation in Canada and early reports from around the world indicated a potentially severe pandemic. The initial projections did not materialize but it was not clear whether this was due to the nature of the virus, or the success of public health initiatives. The objective of this analysis was to examine the effectiveness of the interventions used in Canada from both a health and economic point of view.
Background:
The purpose of the current study was to analyze the adequacy of the current Canadian antiviral stockpile during a moderate, drug sensitive influenza pandemic in Canada under three potential interpretations of the Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan (CPIP).
Due to the capricious nature of a pandemic, the precise impact of a soH1N1 second wave remains largely a matter of speculation. This is a cause of concern for those responsible for coordinating pandemic responses. Dynamic pandemic modelling can assist resource planners that need to adapt to a pandemic as it unfolds. Since early June, a pandemic model has been periodically fit to soH1N1 Canadian data with resulting attack rates ranging between 21% and 29%, peaking generally around late December.
Background:
Cancer currently represents the major burden of disease facing our community. It is the major cause of death, the major cause of premature deaths and the major cause of deaths in the productive age groups 45 to 65 years. The incidence rates have increased by 10 per cent in men and seven per cent in women over the last few years. The exceptions are increasing incidence rates of prostate cancer and decreasing incidence rates of breast cancer. However, the numbers of cancer cases continue to increase.
The goals of the current report are: (1) to estimate the life and economic burden in Canada attributed to the incidence of three nosocomial infections; and (2) to demonstrate the value proposition significance if this burden can be reduced by systematic interventions to improve strategies for nosocomial infections control and prevention. The stated goals of the report are achieved by applying a systematic discrete eventsimulation analysisto the life and economic impacts of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), clostridium difficile (c. difficile) and vancomycin‐resistant enterococci (VRE) upon the Canadian population and economy from 2009 to 2038.
Objective:
Recent evidence indicates a strong correlation between mental illness and the prevalence of tobacco dependence/consumption. Population-based simulation is conducted to understand the significant of this issue.
Objective:
Modern risk management methods can be used to reduce information complexity and support resource planning that engages the many perspectives involved in a national cancer control system. A framework is sought that allows for the dynamic measurement of the various risks associated with future life impacts due to cancer and that provides valuable communication tools for cancer control management that enables the transformation of knowledge into action.
Objective:
The Canadian Tobacco Control Research Initiative recently examined how forward looking risk management methods could be used to understand the complexity of available information in order to support research and resource planning among the various different stakeholders involved in a national tobacco control system. With historically falling smoking trends, rationing of resources, and the emergence of other health priorities (e.g. obesity, exercise), the overall dedicated focus on tobacco control initiatives is at risk of being reduced. It is therefore important for the tobacco control community to be able to advise policy makers of the consequences of changing tobacco control measures.
Background:
An increasing number of Canadians are living with episodic disabilities, including mental illness, cancer, lupus, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Episodic disabilities are characterized by periods of illness and wellness, making it a challenge for individuals living with them to earn an adequate and secure income. Most have to rely on government and private programs. These programs, however, often define disability in terms of permanent or extended inability to work so individuals who qualify for these programs effectively become trapped into continued dependence on the assistance program. Participants of the Episodic Disabilities Network have identified income security and labour force participation as two key issues faced by people living with episodic disabilities in Canada.
Background:
An analysis of the impacts of lung cancer on life and economics employing objective risk measurement and management methods can support national planning for cancer control resources. Life at Cancer Risk (L@CR) was developed as a cancer strategy framework to measure the risk associated with future burden due to cancer, including lung cancer. The absence of information systems that incorporate a national perspective of the impact of lung cancer on key value indicators in Canada necessitates such estimation methods, which take account of the age status of the population, increasing tumour incidence, and the national rationing of resources for the public health system.
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