Health – Articles, Analysis, Comment – The Conversation

Private medical schools in the Caribbean promise low fees and tropical beach locations, amongst other benefits. (Valorie Crooks)

The risky lure of Caribbean offshore medical schools

Valorie A. Crooks, Simon Fraser University and Jeffrey Morgan, Simon Fraser University

Competition for spaces is driving Canadian undergraduates to medical school in the tropics. And there are risks - for student career prospects and Caribbean health systems.

There’s an urgent need for a new ethic of dementia care that supports the facilitation of sexual expression. (Shutterstock)

A new way to think about dementia and sex

Alisa Grigorovich, University of Toronto and Pia Kontos, University of Toronto

The sexuality of persons living with dementia is demonized by media and ignored by clinical guidelines. But sexuality is fundamental to being human and vital to a humane culture of residential care.

The modern medical system is built on a one-on-one relationship between patient and physician. (AP Photo/Jeff Barnard, File)

Common courtesy can humanize cancer care

Richard J. Wassersug, University of British Columbia

Cancer care is often impersonal, industrial and needlessly stressful. Allowing patients to witness personal introductions between their physicians would help ease their anxiety and build trust.

A photo entitled “Apprehension” is part of the Still Here project at the University of British Columbia’s Men’s Health Research Program. The project uses photos to engage gay and bisexual men who have previously struggled with suicide.

Why do so many gay and bisexual men die from suicide?

Olivier Ferlatte, University of British Columbia

Pride Month: It’s time to talk about the shockingly high rate of suicide among gay and bisexual men. Photos and stories in the Still Here project document the complex reasons.

The use of more than four medications by one patient is frequent. (AP Photo/Chris Post)

How to fix Canada’s opioid crisis: It starts with pain and the prescription pad

Andrea Furlan, University of Toronto

One in five Canadians suffers chronic pain and almost 2,500 died last year from opioid overdose. A National Pain Strategy promises to tackle both problems.

Abused women were concerned that their pets may also be harmed by their abuser. (Shutterstock)

Fears for pets can put abused women at further risk

Allison Gray, University of Windsor; Amy Fitzgerald, University of Windsor, and Betty Jo Barrett, University of Windsor

Concern for their pets’ safety can lead women to delay leaving their abusers. Better on-site pet services in women’s shelters would enable them to seek help without fear for their animals’ well-being.

Did the TPP die - or is it now a zombie? (Visual Hunt/Killaee)

Zombie Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement lurches on

Ronald Labonte, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

NAFTA renegotiations may see provisions from the Trans-Pacific Partnership revive like zombies. We must remember their failures - on income inequality, labour and environmental protection.

Canada spends more per capita on prescription drugs than most other OECD countries. (Shutterstock)

Why Canada should introduce universal drugs coverage

Katherine Boothe, McMaster University

Canada is the only nation with a broad public health system lacking universal coverage for pharmaceuticals. Despite fears that pharmacare would be too costly, it could end up saving Canadians money.

Climate change is making cities sick and we need to act

Malcolm Araos, New York University; James Ford, McGill University, and Stephanie Austin, McGill University

As summer heatwaves intensify across Canada, smaller cities need to follow the lead of Toronto and Vancouver - to protect vulnerable citizens from injury, disease and death.