In this issue

Issue 21

September 2002

On The Web - Warnings & Advisories From Health Canada

Health Canada is the federal department responsible for helping the people of Canada maintain and improve their health. Health Canada sees its responsibility in protecting Canadians from avoidable risks as one it shares with industry and with Canadian consumers themselves. One of the many ways Health Canada helps protect Canadians from potential health hazards is by releasing warnings/advisories on food, drugs, medical devices, natural health products and consumer products.

In September of 2001 an advisory was issued jointly by Health Canada and Transport Canada regarding the potential hazard of scooters. With the onset of summer holidays and an increase in scooter use, the advisory was reissued in June 2002. The advisory warns of potential injury and offers tips on using scooters safely. CHIRPP data were instrumental in formulating the decision to issue the advisory. Information sharing within Health Canada and strong liaisons with other government departments such as Transport Canada enables Health Canada to distribute timely warnings and advisories. These advisories, including the scooter advisory, can be accessed on the Health Canada website at www.hc-sc.gc./english/protection/warnings.html (www.hc-sc-sc.gc.ca/francais/protection/avertissements.html) For more information on scooter injuries, a report from the CHIRPP database is available on the Internet at www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/injury-bles/chirpp/injrep-rapbles/scoot_e.html.

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