After many years of success, EvidenceNetwork.ca is no longer in operation. We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the organization over the past decade including our dedicated researchers, newspaper editors, readers and funders. However, now it is time to move onto new ways of looking at knowledge mobilization and policy. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Shannon Sampert at s.sampert@uwinnipeg.ca.

Winners and losers in the changing world of the Canada Health Transfer

A version of this commentary appeared in the Hill Times, Huffington Post, and the Canadian Healthcare Network   The last few years have seen some dramatic changes to the Canada Health Transfer (CHT), which in 2017-18 will total $37.150 billion — no small figure. The Harper era saw the move to a full per capita funding formula without […]

Exercise is not just for the fit, it helps the frail elderly and critically ill too

In-bed cycling in critical care units could be a way to improve patient health and save money A version of this commentary appeared in the Winnipeg Free Press, the Huffington Post and Vancouver Province  Frail and critically ill patients can safely bike in the intensive care unit, even early in their ICU stay.  These are the […]

Canada has more doctors and health specialists than ever – but is that good news?

The recent negotiations between the Ontario Medical Association and the Ontario Government highlight the complex relationship between physicians and health spending.

Many patients with chronic health conditions also have mental health issues that go undiagnosed and untreated

Our health system often divides mental health from physical health into distinct silos of care and treatment, yet no such mind-body duality exists in actual patients.

It shouldn’t matter where you go to school, but for kids with diabetes, it does

Summer is a time to put thoughts of school aside, but some families are already worrying about September. For parents of kids with diabetes, the beginning of each new school year brings not only the usual preparations, but also fears for their child’s health and safety.

How Canada fails people with mental illnesses

In any developed country, politicians and clinicians are struggling to improve quality of care while reducing costs of healthcare systems.

Five challenges for bending the healthcare cost curve in Canada

Canadian economists received a pleasant surprise this year: expenditure growth on public healthcare in Canada finally appears to be slowing down. However, it is unclear if this slowdown is the result of explicit success in sustainably bending the cost-curve or more short-term cost-cutting in response to slower economic growth or future federal health transfers.

Most Canadians don’t understand food nutrition labels

As January comes to an end, those who vowed to eat better in 2015 have probably already given up. Not very surprising, considering that most people grossly underestimate the amount of calories they consume, and underestimate their fat, salt and sugar consumption, even after consulting nutrition labels.

Health Canada fails to enforce its own rules on pharmaceutical advertising

A handsome man struts over to the office water cooler with a smirk on his face. When his colleagues ask about his weekend, he replies enthusiastically, with audio muted. A large blue pill appears with the tagline, “Viagra, Ask Your Doctor.” Vibrant, energetic older people are shown swimming, bowling and having a good time. With a twinkle in their eye, they suggest the viewer “ask your doctor” about Celebrex.

Blaming diabetes on poor eating habits has delayed real action

Journalist H.L. Mencken wrote that “for every complex problem there is a solution that is clear, simple and wrong.” That observation aptly describes a prevailing attitude toward type 2 diabetes, which characterizes diabetes as a problem that could clearly be fixed if people would simply move more and eat less.