To minimize the effects of future pandemics, it is not enough that we recognize deficiencies in our responses to COVID-19; we must start to build policies for the next pandemic as soon as possible.
Resistance to policies like safe supply still create barriers for vulnerable people, despite evidence that harm reduction saves lives.
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Harm reduction is grounded in evidence. But policies, stigma and ignorance about substance use still create barriers in battling Canada’s drug poisoning crisis.
People can be reluctant to discuss symptoms with their doctor. When they do, their symptoms can be mistaken for other illnesses. Even when people are diagnosed, they don’t always get the right treatment.
‘I have no idea if this will work.’
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A national coalition of scientists, communicators and health experts is empowering Canadians to work together against online misinformation about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines with #ScienceUpFirst.
Scientists talk about their research because they want their expertise to guide real-world decisions.
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A survey of over a thousand scientists reveals that their goal when communicating about their work is to help the rest of us make evidence-based decisions that draw on scientific findings.
Finding a cure for the coronavirus requires more than anecdotal evidence.
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Drugs and vaccines to fight the coronavirus are already in clinical trials. It is important to understand the difference between each step in this process as efforts to fight COVID-19 continue.
It can be difficult to work out whether you should believe a study’s reported findings.
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Wondering if that latest study finding is too good to be true, or whether it’s as bad as we’re told? Here are five questions to ask to help you assess the evidence.
The effectiveness of a drug may be evaluated based on its potential to shrink tumours – but this doesn’t necessarily equate to improved survival rates.
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National drug regulators use evidence from clinical trials to decide whether new cancer drugs will be approved for use. But these studies are often flawed.
If doctors questions evidence-based medicine guidelines, they are often viewed as incompetent practitioners.
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Kevin Dew, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
Ageing populations and efforts to medicate to prevent disease are both factors that have driven up the use of pharmaceuticals, but we have inadequate means of reporting side effects.
A review into pharmacy practices last year recommended pharmacies stop selling ineffective remedies such as homeopathy. The government didn’t support the recommendation.
Breathing in through your nose has many medical benefits over mouth breathing. As usual, be wary of misinformation and bias when looking up health on the internet.
Precision medicine matches patients with interventions, rather than just matching treatments to illnesses.
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People with the same condition can respond differently to the same treatment. This is why personalised treatment is so important in all fields of medicine, including psychology.
Dozens of studies and numerous reviews have demonstrated the safety of vaccines.
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In an era when opinion often trumps evidence in public health issues, it’s time to support and invest in evidence-based medicine to protect the public from dangerous, poorly informed beliefs.