BC Coroners Service Releases 2017 Illicit Drug Death Numbers
The number of illicit drug deaths in B.C. continues to increase each month with December numbers the highest ever recorded in a single month in the province, according to the latest statistics from the BC Coroners Service. Provisional data show that a total of 142 persons died as a result of illicit drug use during the month...
BC takes significant step forward in preventing cancer with HPV announcement
In a media release, the Canadian Cancer Society calls the recent BC Government announcement to provide the HPV vaccine to all genders through schools a significant move forward in public health policy. The Society believes this change, which will take place in September 2017, will have an enormous impact in reducing children’s...
Gitxsan chiefs add fourth lawsuit opposing Pacific Northwest LNG
Inland B.C. hereditary First Nations chiefs joined coastal ones in announcing a fourth federal lawsuit against Ottawa’s approval of the Pacific Northwest LNG project, at a press conference in Vancouver. They claim that the gas export terminal is an infringement of their Aboriginal fishing rights. Two Gitxsan Nation hereditary...
B.C. extends free HPV coverage to boys
Beginning this September, British Columbia will become the latest province to provide the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to boys, as part of B.C.’s publicly funded immunization program, Health Minister Terry Lake announced Friday. “We need to do everything we can to help girls and boys grow up to be healthy adults,”...
Fentanyl a growing problem with more overdose deaths in Kootenay-Boundary in 2016
The deadly problem with fentanyl overdoses grew in 2016 in the Kootenay-Boundary, but it is still lower than the regional and provincial rate, says an Interior Health official. Gillian Frosst, epidemiologist with Interior Health, said the fentanyl problem is growing more common in the Kootenay-Boundary region, and it increased in 2016.
21 flu-related deaths at IH care facilities, outbreaks in Trail and Castlegar
Influenza outbreaks are plaguing longterm care facilities in the Interior Health region, including ones in Castlegar and Trail, according to Pamela De Bruin, IH manager for Communicable Diseases and Immunization Programs....
Funding freeze on for new facilities as IHA moves primary care into households: Cusden
The best way to improve health care delivery in Nelson is not by enhancing its health care facilities, but by keeping potential patients in their homes, says the interim health service administrator for the Interior Health Authority. Jane Cusden told city council on Monday that the IHA directive for the mostly rural service...
Local Alzheimer's programming to be available in the New Year
The New Year is fast approaching, and the Alzheimer Society of BC wants Kootenay/Boundary residents to be aware of services that will be available in 2017. “We will be offering several workshops for families living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia in the New Year,” said local support and education coordinator Julie Leffelaar. Highlights of programming […]
Illicit drug death numbers hit new record
The month of November brought the highest number of illicit drug deaths in B.C. for a single month in recent memory, according to the latest statistics from the BC Coroners Service. Provisional data shows that a total of 128 persons died as a result of illicit drug use during November, an average of more than four a day. The...
