Dr. Martin Lavoie, British Columbia’s deputy provincial health officer, has issued the following statement to make sure children in B.C. are up to date on all their vaccines as part of back-to-school preparations: “As families start their preparations for back-to-school, I encourage parents and guardians to ensure their children are up to date on routine […]

New Denver and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Slocan Community Health Centre.  Emergency services will be unavailable now until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. Patients can access care at Arrow Lakes Hospital in Nakusp during this time. All other inpatient services will continue at Slocan Community Health Centre. People […]

The Province and the Nelson Police Department have launched HealthIM, a digital public-safety tool designed to improve officer response to people in crisis. “When people are in distress because of a mental-health or substance-use emergency and they call the police, we need a rapid risk-screening tool to make sure they are safe and connected to […]

The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) has issued a Boil Water Notice beginning Friday, August 8 for users on the West Robson Water System. The system is located on Broadwater Road in the community of West Robson on the western border of Robson-Raspberry, within RDCK Electoral Area J. West Robson is downstream of the Keenlyside Dam on the Columbia River. […]

By James Kendry, Assistant Professor in Nutrition and Healthy Aging, University of British Columbia Protein is having its moment: From grocery store shelves to Instagram feeds, high-protein foods are everywhere. Food labels shout their protein content in bold, oversized fonts, while social media overflows with recipes promising to pack more protein into your favourite dishes. […]

According to preliminary data, 145 people in May and 147 people in June 2025 died due to unregulated drug toxicity, as reported by the BC Coroners Service. The unregulated drug deaths dashboard includes a new occupation industry page, which includes deaths where occupation industry was known. The two most common industries of current or past […]

Plastic has only been in widespread use for about 75 years. Now it’s everywhere, from the highest mountaintops to the deepest ocean, from the Arctic to Antarctic. In swirling ocean patches, in the air and soil, in our food and drink — even in our bodies — plastic in its many forms, including tiny micro- […]

By Dr. Ruchika Gupta,  Assistant Professor, Western Univeristy Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest health threats we face today. It’s often blamed on the overuse of antibiotics, and for a good reason. But there’s another major factor quietly driving this crisis that doesn’t get as much attention: low vaccination rates. In early 2025, Ontario […]

As Canada’s first physician-based Special Operations Medical Retrieval Service, KERPA delivers a level of ground critical emergency care unmatched in the region. At the heart of our mission lies a simple truth: Every Life Matters. And every minute saved, every intervention delivered, brings us one step closer to ensuring that no patient is left without […]

Incidence of melanoma is increasing in both men and women.  Here’s what we all need to know. By Dr. Elaine McWhirter  There is certainly growing awareness of the damaging effects of overexposure to the sun, including skin cancers. Still, I see in both my medical practice as a skin cancer specialist and in the course […]