Sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection (STBBI) rates have been increasing across Canada, particularly for hepatitis C (HCV), gonorrhea, and syphilis, including the highest rates of congenital syphilis ever reported. STBBI transmission is influenced by social, structural, and environmental factors, and these infections are increasingly associated with substance use, inadequate housing, and a history of incarceration….
Publications
Rural Immunization Programs Considerations for the Canadian Context
This review of evidence provides an overview of the rural risk profile for COVID-19 and vaccination in rural Canada, and explores factors contributing to success in rural vaccination campaigns and ways to reduce vaccine hesitancy.
A Call to Action: An Evidence Review on Pharmaceutical Disposal in the Context of Antimicrobial Resistance in Canada
Antibiotics are some of the most commonly prescribed pharmaceutical agents in the world, including in Canada. During manufacturing, antibiotics can seep or be discharged into the environment. However, a significant amount can also enter the environment through improper disposal practices (i.e., in sinks, toilets, and household garbage) and natural human excretion. Wastewater treatment systems are…
Understanding RT-PCR Tests and Results
This document provides a brief description of the Real Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test. It provides basic information on how this molecular biology test is used in laboratories to detect genetic material of a pathogen such as SARS-CO-2 virus, the cause of COVID-19 disease.
Opportunities for Public Health to Reduce the Burden of COVID-19 among Migrant Agricultural Workers in Canada
Migrant agricultural workers come to Canada annually to help farmers with planting, harvesting, and processing foods. Clusters of community-acquired COVID-19 among migrant agricultural workers in Ontario during the 2020 growing season signify that migrant agricultural workers are vulnerable to infectious disease outbreaks such as COVID-19. This does not mean that the men and women who…
Psychosocial Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a Broad Investigation in Québec
Context: This is a two-year project financed by the CIHR ($500,000) and carried out by an interdisciplinary team from the Université de Sherbrooke and other national and international partners. The Québec investigation is a supplement to this project, which is funded by the seven regional public health departments. Why: Like other types of catastrophes, the…
COVID-19 STBBI and Harm Reduction Resources
National Forum on STBBI Testing and Linkages to Care: Reaching the Undiagnosed: Meeting Proceedings
This meeting provided an opportunity for attendees to share current research and information on a range of STBBI testing modalities and programs from jurisdictions across Canada, and to discuss opportunities, challenges, and potential next steps for reaching the undiagnosed.
Corrections and correctional facilities as a public health setting in Canada
In the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic context, there has been increasing attention to correctional facilities and other congregate settings as catalysts for infectious disease transmission. It is well known that infectious and other diseases are prevalent in correctional facilities around the world and Canada is no exception. Rachlis et al. discuss the importance of considering…
Mathematical Modelling in Public Health Planning: Flu Vaccine
In public health, mathematical modelling helps us answer difficult, real-world questions and understand complex relationships between biological, demographic, and environmental factors. Modelling helps answer infectious disease-related questions like “What is the best vaccine to protect an elderly population at increased risk of infection from seasonal influenza?” Modellers interpret the model outcomes and draw conclusions to…
Mathematical Modelling in Public Health: Tuberculosis
In public health, mathematical modelling helps us answer difficult, real-world questions and understand complex relationships between biological, demographic, and environmental factors. Modelling helps answer infectious disease-related questions like “What are the potential effects of three different interventions on a specific disease?” Modellers interpret the model outcomes and draw conclusions to make accurate, evidence-driven and transparent…
Harm Reduction in a Rural Setting: Lessons learned from HCV and HIV outbreaks in Scott County, Indiana
The increased use of crystal methamphetamine and other drugs has led to an increased demand for needle and syringe harm reduction services across Canada. There have been a small number of HIV outbreaks in rural parts of Canada, but these environments have mostly limited services for harm reduction and sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection (STBBI) testing.