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Canadian Public Health Association

In the news


2024

A British tech company and liquor giant are collaborating on bringing accessible QR codes to alcohol packaging

October 3, 2024

While one tech firm and a liquor giant are raising a glass to universal design in accessibility, a public health expert is warning of the dangers of allowing easier access to unhealthy products like alcohol. CBC accessibility reporter Luke Williams explains.


Alcohol at corner stores is coming, is Ontario prepared for the health cost of convenience?

August 25, 2024

For the health experts watching, the expectation couldn’t be more simple: More alcohol means more harm. The question is, are we prepared?


Canadian Public Health Association: Closure of consumption sites will cost lives

August 23, 2024

The province is closing the sites that are within 200 metres of schools and child-care centres. Culbert contends safety can be increased with bigger budgets and full-time security guards. He says the closure of these sites will do more harm than good to users looking for help.


Experts warn alcohol liberalization comes with risks. Ontario is forging ahead anyway

August 14, 2024

The Canadian Public Health Association also opposed Ford’s plan and cautioned that increased access to alcohol would, as expected, lead to more alcohol-related harms. Those harms include drunk driving and violence, as well as a rise in substance abuse, which produces more of the same, along with long-term health-care issues that are costly for individuals and the public alike.


'Bag of money up front:' Rural communities boost incentives to attract medical staff

August 5, 2024

Ian Culbert, executive director of the Canadian Public Health Association, said the growing role of incentives to attract doctors is putting communities that are seen as less desirable in "an impossible situation."


Partial truths from politicians won’t fix the toxic drug crisis

June 19, 2024

by Ian Culbert and Natalie Brender
The Hill Times, Opinion 
June 19, 2024

Recent efforts by political leaders to reverse progressive policies intended to address the toxic drug crisis are misguided. People who use drugs are not the only ones being harmed by several actions: British Columbia’s request that Ottawa re-criminalize the public use of illicit drugs in that province; Ontario’s refusal to support the City of Toronto’s decriminalization application; and Premier Doug Ford’s promise to review and limit supervised consumption facilities. In fact, political…


What’s at stake in supporting sex workers’ right to health

February 16, 2024

Sex work is made more dangerous by a law that must change. But police, health and social-service bodies can do more now for workers’ minority rights.


The thrills and benefits of risky play for children

January 31, 2024

The Canadian Public Health Association notes that learning to confront and manage risk promotes coping skills, self-esteem and self-confidence, and that may well reduce anxiety and depression.