Would you know what to do if someone collapsed right in front of you? Of course, call 9-1-1, but what about those critical moments spent waiting for the ambulance? Performing CPR and defibrillation within one to two minutes of a cardiac arrest helps to increase survival rates to 90 per cent, but that rate plummets […]

Now that fall is upon us, it is time to bolster the system for the winter.  I’ve already seen the start of viral flu, so this will help prevent and minimize the typical viral and bacterial flu common at this time of year.  I try to remind folks that having a cold or flu once […]

The Boundary region’s emergency cold weather shelter is preparing for its second season of operations and will open on schedule to welcome people Nov. 1.  Operated by the Boundary Emergency and Transition Housing Society (BETHS), the shelter is calling for help from new volunteers and donors as it gets organized for the coming winter season. […]

Last week, Nature Genetics carried twin studies into the genetics of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. This special report examines the month's research into the illnesses in detail, with Wikinews obtaining comment from experts based in Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom ahead of the U.S. Mental Illness ...

A team of Trail IHA nurses who supported transport of acutely ill patents from outlying rural and remote health sites to higher levels of care have moved from full time to casual positions last month, according to the IHA’s acute care director for Kootenay-Boundary. The three nurses had been an integral part of the High […]

Many of us can experience a shift in mood as we enter into the West Kootenay fall. This October offers a unique opportunity to get ahead of the season and learn more about depression, anxiety, and risky drinking at the 17th annual Beyond the Blues: Depression Anxiety Education and Screening Day in Nelson. This province-wide event […]

B.C. smokers lit up phone lines calling 8-1-1 this week to get help quitting.  A total of 7,107 nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) orders were taken during the first week of the Province’s smoking cessation program coming into effect Friday, Sept. 30.  The vast majority of smokers who called HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 to register for […]

A team of diverse partners in the Kootenay region taking action to reduce the cosmetic use of pesticides has been recognized with a prestigious national award from the Canadian Cancer Society.  The award, called the Circle of Distinction, recognizes team effort between Canadian Cancer Society volunteers and staff and their ...

The Liberal government must act now to address the growing crisis for developmentally disabled British Columbians by putting an immediate stop to further group home closures and beginning a review of how Community Living B.C. is being run, say the New Democrats. “The Liberals’ chronic failure to effectively manage CLBC has come at the expense […]

Canadians are pushing themselves to the brink of their physical and financial health, says Canada’s Vital Signs 2011, the annual report card on quality of life from Community Foundations of Canada. National obesity rates and personal bankruptcy numbers continue to rise unabated – and although Canada’s youth unemployment rates haven’t reached the epic proportions of […]