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November 15, 2007
- World COPD Day (14 Nov.)
- National Addictions Awareness Week (18-24 Nov.)
- National Child Day (20 Nov.)
- National Home Fire Safety Week (24-30 Nov.)
- AIDS Awareness Week
(24 Nov.-1 Dec.)
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November 2007
You can save a life
Learning CPR is key to saving the life of someone who is in cardiac arrest. Most cardiac arrests happen at home, so that someone is likely going to be a person you know.
People of all ages are at risk. Cardiac arrest occurs when someone stops breathing and has no heartbeat. Causes of cardiac arrest include heart attack, stroke, drowning, electrocution, suffocation, drug overdose and physical trauma.
CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Don’t let the words scare you off from learning the technique. CPR can be learned easily through short courses offered by training organizations across the country, including St. John Ambulance, Canadian Red Cross, Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Lifesaving Society.
Related resources
- What is cardiac arrest?
-
Defines cardiac arrest and lists various causes for the condition. Stresses the importance of learning CPR in order to be able to respond appropriately during a cardiac emergency situation.
Source: Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (HSFC)
From: Heart disease
- CPR and survival: you are the strongest link
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Emphasizes the importance of members of the public being trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Explains the need for defibrillation and describes the introduction and use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in community settings. Created for the CHN by the Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke Affiliate.
Source: Canadian Health Network (CHN)
From: Partner feature of the month: archives
- What is CPR?
-
Defines cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and cardiac arrest. Discusses the importance of training in CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
Source: Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (HSFC)
From: Heart disease
- CPR training
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Offers CPR course and course instructor information through provincial links.
Source: Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (HSFC)
From: Heart disease
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November 2007
More than two million Canadians have diabetes, and the numbers are growing steadily.
Are you at risk?
Approximately 10% of people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes. However, the number of people with type 2 diabetes is increasing dramatically. It is important to know what can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes so that you can take the steps to delay or prevent it.
You are at risk if you:
- are age 40 or over.
- have a parent, brother or sister with diabetes.
- are a member of a high-risk group (aboriginal, Hispanic, asian, south asian or African descent).
- have a health complication that is associated with diabetes, like heart disease.
- gave birth to a baby that weighed over 4 kg (9 lbs) at birth.
- had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy).
- have impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG).
- have high blood pressure.
- have high cholesterol or other fats in blood.
- are overweight (especially if weight is carried around the middle)
- have been diagnosed with any of the following conditions:
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Acanthosis nigricans (darkened patches of skin)
- Schizophrenia
If you are at risk for type 2 diabetes, you should be tested at least every three years. Left untreated or improperly managed, diabetes can result in a variety of serious complications, including heart disease, kidney disease, eye disease, problems with erection (impotence) and nerve damage.
Diabetes in Canada
During Diabetes Month 2007, the Canadian Diabetes Association wants Canadians to get serious about preventing type 2 diabetes. To delay or prevent diabetes:
- Eat healthy
- Be active regularly
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Don’t smoke
- Reduce your stress
For information on type 2 diabetes in children, see this month’s feature article, Type 2 diabetes—why too many kids are at risk.
Related resources
- Prevent type 2 diabetes? Yes, you can.
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Presents risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes. Briefly explores recent research involving changes to diet and exercise patterns among people diagnosed with prediabetes. Offers tips on healthy meal planning and simple ways to increase physical activity levels. Prepared by the Canadian Diabetes Association.
Source: Canadian Health Network (CHN)
From: Partner feature of the month: archives
- Prediabetes: a chance to change the future
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Describes the dangers associated with elevated blood glucose levels and the tests used to diagnose someone with type 2 diabetes. Suggests that healthy living can help lower elevated blood glucose levels and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Source: Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA)
From: About diabetes
- Diabetes
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Describes the three types of diabetes, symptoms, risk factors, prevalence, and methods used for risk reduction. Introduces the federal government's strategies for preventing type 2 diabetes and all diabetes-related complications.
Source: Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
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November 2007
Smoking causes lung cancer
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women.
The main cause of lung cancer is smoking. Most people who develop lung cancer are long-term heavy smokers – the more you smoke and the longer you smoke, the higher your risk. But no amount of tobacco is safe. People who live with or work closely with a smoker are also at increased risk from exposure to second-hand smoke.
Other factors that appear to increase the risk of lung cancer are:
- Working with materials such as asbestos, arsenic, nickel and petroleum products, especially if you are a smoker.
- Exposure to radon gas.
Other workplace exposures and air pollutants are being studied. Some people develop lung cancer without any of these risk factors.
Quit smoking
Quit now and reduce the risk of developing cancer. In general, the longer you don't smoke the more you lower your risk.
- Within 10 years of quitting, the overall risk of an ex-smoker dying from lung cancer is cut in half.
- After 10 years, the overall risk of an ex-smoker developing cancer approaches that of a non-smoker.
Related resources
- Canadian Lung Association
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Dedicated to improving the lung health of Canadians through research, prevention, and education. With a focus on the prevention and control of lung diseases such as asthma, COPD, tuberculosis, and influenza. The Association also offers help in the area of smoking prevention and cessation, and air quality.
Source: Canadian Lung Association
- Quit smoking guides: One Step at a Time
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Presents the One Step at a Time self-help program,
which offers advice and health information about
quitting smoking. Includes a guide for those who
don't want to quit, for those who want to quit and
for those who want to help someone quit.
Source: Canadian Cancer Society (CCS)
From: Quit smoking
- The real cost
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Provides information on the amount of money that can be saved by not smoking. Calculates the real cost of smoking by using a Flash tool in a new browser window or using an HTML or text version.
Source: Health Canada
- What is lung cancer?
-
Explains what lung cancer is and outlines risk factors, symptoms, diagnostic tests, staging, and treatments.
Source: Canadian Cancer Society (CCS)
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November 2007
Beat the break!
November is Osteoporosis Month and Osteoporosis Canada is letting Canadians know that they can beat the break.
Osteoporosis affects more than 1.4 million Canadians, including one in four women and at least one in eight men over the age of 50. Its symptoms are low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue which increases the risk of breaking bones. It can drastically change people's lives, resulting in loss of independence, low self-esteem, and reduced or lost mobility.
Build strong, young bones
Building strong bones in childhood and young adulthood is your best defense against osteoporosis. As children and teenagers, we build the bone that lasts us throughout our life. However, maintaining bone health as you age is also a key part of fighting osteoporosis.
Here are a few of the simple steps you can take to reduce your risk:
- Get adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D.
Osteoporosis Canada recommends that adults over 50 have a daily calcium intake of 1500 mg and a daily vitamin D intake of 800 mg.
- Be physically active.
Resistance training and weight-bearing exercises such as walking or dancing help build bone mass and reduce the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures.
- Limit your alcohol and caffeine consumption.
Excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption decreases bone mineral density.
For more information, visit the Osteoporosis Canada website at www.osteoporosis.ca.
Related resources
- What can I do to reduce my risk of osteoporosis?
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Suggests lifestyle choices which can help in reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Provides information on the recommended daily requirements of nutrients needed for healthy bones. Includes a list of resources for consumers and health intermediaries. Prepared by the Healthy Eating Affiliate for the CHN.
Source: Canadian Health Network (CHN)
From: FAQs: healthy eating
- 60 second osteoporosis risk quiz
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Offers an online 60-second osteoporosis risk quiz. The quiz is based on major risk factors for the disease, which are strong predictors of bone loss.
Source: Osteoporosis Canada
- Osteoporosis health centre
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Provides general information on osteoporosis including a medical description, diagnosis, prevention, treatment options, current research, FAQs, and a glossary.
Source: womenshealthmatters.ca at Women's College Hospital
- Bone health
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Provides an overview of bone health. Offers information on osteoporosis prevention and treatment for women at various life stages (adolescence, premenopause, midlife, and menopause).
Source: Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research
- Calcium for your bones
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Explains the importance of calcium and its role in preventing osteoporosis. Provides the daily recommended intake of calcium for different ages. Suggests good food sources of calcium and discusses calcium supplements. Offers tips for improving calcium absorption.
Source: Saskatchewan Health
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5-9 November 2007
The purpose of National Media Education Week is to promote media literacy for young people, and to encourage media education in Canadian homes, schools and communities. Young people today need to develop knowledge and critical thinking skills to understand and reflect on the impact of media on their lives.
The National Media Education Week website has many ideas to promote awareness. Here are just a few:
- Host a media fair to highlight student-produced media productions. For examples of media fairs taking place during National Media Education Week, see the Events Calendar.
- Organize a parent information evening or workshop, such as the free Parenting the Net Generation workshop is available to English provincial home and school associations through a partnership with the Canadian Home and School Federation.
- Hold a public forum, panel discussion or town hall meeting and choose a media-related topic of interest to your community.
- Hold a media or Internet literacy professional development workshop for teachers or librarians in your community. Workshops are available through media literacy organizations such as the Media Awareness Network, and the Association for Media Literacy.
For more information, visit the website for National Media Education Week.
Related resources
- Me, my kids and the media: a workshop for parents
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Provides tips to parents to help children become engaged, active, and careful media users. Presents background information about how children and youth use media. Link requires PDF reader.
Source: Canadian Teachers' Federation
- Kids on the Net: fifteen-to seventeen-year-olds
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Presents different decisions young adults make about their future careers, lifestyles and defining their sexual identity. Discusses the impact of how media portrays sexual relationships on teens. Examines the results of how teens use the internet and recommends education resources.
Source: Media Awareness Network
- Special issues for teens
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Presents information to parents concerning the impact of television on the habits and behaviours of teens. Offers parents resources they can use to help minimize the negative effects of television on teenagers
Source: Media Awareness Network
From: Television - Overview
- Body image and the media
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Discusses the unrealistic portrayal of women in the media. Explains why the media can affect how women feel about their bodies and how poor body image can affect their health. Suggests what women can do to feel better about their bodies.
Source: Canadian Women's Health Network (CWHN)
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6-12 November 2007
Seniors living alone can be victims of fraud
During National Seniors’ Safety Week, the Canada Safety Council reminds Canadian seniors living on their own to be careful to avoid telemarketing and other scams.
Seniors can be a victim of a fraud or get-rich-quick scheme. PhoneBusters, a Canadian anti-fraud centre, estimates that 84% of the money lost to bogus prize and lottery telephone scams was from people aged 60 and over.
Protect yourself from fraud!
Be very wary about information that you give out over the telephone. Some warning signs of fraud are when the person contacting you:
- asks for your credit card number
- wants you to pay for a prize they say you have already won
- pressures you into deciding quickly
- seems extremely excited about the opportunity they are offering
- is overly friendly
- wants to give you money in exchange for letting them use your bank account to transfer a large amount of money.
To find out more about the financial abuse of seniors, read the Canadian Health Network article Stolen money and stolen health, or visit the website for National Seniors' Safety Week.
Related resources
- How to remain independent and live at home a very long time
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Provides advice to seniors who want to live independently in their own home. Includes home safety tips.
Source: Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal
From: Health promotion
- Home adaptation checklist
-
Outlines adaptations in the kitchen, bathroom, and other areas of the home for seniors to help prevent accidents and enhance independence. Includes guidelines on how to hire a reputable contractor.
Source: Canada Safety Council (CSC)
From: Seniors' safety
- The safe living guide: a guide to home safety for seniors
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Suggests changes in the home and in lifestyle seniors can make to prevent injuries. Includes home safety checklist, fact sheets, tips, a list of safety-related consumer products and a resource section.
Source: Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
- Seniors' safety
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Provides links to information on safety and the aging driver, medications, travelling, maintaining senior's independence through home adaptations, preventing falls, and street smarts for senior pedestrians.
Source: Canada Safety Council (CSC)
- Seniors guidebook to safety and security
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Gives tips on safety in the home, on the street and in cars in order to reduce the risk of violence and crime. Provides answers to scenarios, and describes con games and common consumer frauds. Lists types of programs and services that work to create safer communities.
Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
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14 November 2007
World Diabetes Day is celebrated every year on November 14, the birthday of Canadian Sir Frederick Banting (1891-1941) who, along with Sir Charles Best, first conceived the idea which led to the discovery of insulin in 1921.
On December 20, 2006, the General Assembly of the United Nations passed a landmark Resolution recognizing diabetes as a chronic, debilitating and costly disease. The Resolution designates World Diabetes Day as a United Nations Day to be observed every year starting in 2007.
2007 theme for World Diabetes Day is The Year of the Child
This year World Diabetes Day's focus is to raise awareness about Diabetes in Children and Adolescents.
More children and youth are living with diabetes
Today, more than 240 million people worldwide are living with diabetes. Within 20 years, this number is expected to grow to 380 million. Children are not spared from this global epidemic, with its debilitating and life-threatening complications. Type 1 diabetes is growing by 3% per year in children and adolescents, and at an alarming 5% per year among pre-school children. It is estimated that 70,000 children under 15 develop type 1 diabetes each year (almost 200 children a day).
Type 2 diabetes was once seen as a disease of adults. Today, this type of diabetes is growing at alarming rates in children and adolescents. Over a 20-year period, type 2 diabetes has doubled in children in Japan, so that it is now more common than type 1. In Aboriginal children in North America and Australia, the prevalence rate of type 2 diabetes ranges from 1.3 to 5.3%.
For more information on diabetes in Canada and events during November, visit the Canadian Diabetes Association. For information on type 2 diabetes in Canadian children, see this month's feature article, Type 2 diabetes-why too many kids are at risk.
Related resources
- Can diabetes be prevented?
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Defines diabetes and discusses the causes and effects of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Suggests lifestyle habits which help prevent the development of type 2.
Source: KidsHealth
From: International resource
- Type 1 diabetes: what is it?
-
Describes the causes and symptoms of type 1 diabetes. Explains what people with type 1 diabetes have to do in order to stay healthy. Discusses the feelings young people, in particular, might have when they learn they have diabetes.
Source: KidsHealth
From: International resource
- Type 2 diabetes: what is it?
-
Describes the causes and symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Explains what people with type 2 diabetes should do in order to stay healthy. Discusses the feelings young people, in particular, might have when they learn they have diabetes.
Source: KidsHealth
From: International resource
- Long-term complications of diabetes
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Discusses the long term complications of diabetes and describes which parts of the body can be affected. Briefly mentions the importance of having, and following, a diabetes management plan and of people with diabetes taking an active role in their health.
Source: KidsHealth
From: International resource
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