Keenan: Is RFK Jr. 'bonkers' or is it time for a wearable?
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A study published in Digital Health in 2022 found that 'Apple Watch Series 6 can reliably detect states of reduced blood oxygen saturation with SpO2 below 90 per cent when compared to a medical-grade pulse oximeter.'
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Smartwatches vary in what other medical parameters they can measure. The higher-end models feature electrocardiogram functionality, and this capability is improving as artificial intelligence is integrated. Several studies show that they can play a role in detecting serious conditions, such as atrial fibrillation (AFib). A recent article by researchers at the Yale School of Medicine concluded that 'AI-enhanced wearable and portable devices represent a transformative force in cardiovascular care by enabling efficient, equitable, and accessible care directly in the communities.'
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Closer to home, a beloved University of Calgary professor had some cardiac problems. His class passed the hat to buy him an end-of-term gift. It was a large class, so they were able to get him an Apple Watch, which he still wears.
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Sleep tracking was a major appeal of a smartwatch for me. Mine produces a daily sleep score, which can range from 0 to 100. I made it to 79 last night, which pleased me greatly. The manufacturer's website, garmin.com, explains the calculation, saying 'It includes how much time you spent in, and the patterns formed between, the light, deep and REM sleep stages. Experts say these affect your mental and physical recovery. Deep sleep, for example, helps with muscle recovery.'
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Critics of health trackers note that some people become obsessed with their numbers in an unhealthy manner. Also, we may be sending intimate information to a company that might not respect our privacy. At the very least, I recommend using a newly created email address that's not linked to your name when you sign up for a fitness tracking website.
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If you need another reason, consider my all-time favourite headline from Gizmodo, 'Your fuelband knows when you're having sex.' As author Adam Clark Estes wrote back in 2013, 'How else do you explain getting a half hour of exercise late at night without taking a single step?'
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Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Globe and Mail
How digital health startup VitalHub became one of the hottest tech stocks on the TSX
When Dan Matlow was trying to raise money for his fledgling company, he jokingly asked his wife if he came home smelling like weed. It was mid-2017 and the cannabis craze was in full swing on Canada's public markets. Mr. Matlow was trying to finance something totally different: a digital health startup called VitalHub Corp. VHI-T He had a strategy to buy up other small health care IT companies, cross-sell their products to each other's clients and offshore software development. He'd even struck deals to buy two companies, including one with a low-cost development shop in Sri Lanka. But as investors poured into cannabis stocks, Mr. Matlow struggled to raise $10-million. Trading in VitalHub's TSX Venture Exchange-listed penny stock was halted for six months. 'It was a tough slog,' he said in an interview. 'We had some pissed-off shareholders.' VitalHub raised one-third of its target that October and had to defer one acquisition for a few months. It wasn't the most auspicious start, but VitalHub wasn't blowing smoke. Eight years and 21 acquisitions later, Toronto-based VitalHub is one of Canada's strongest-performing tech companies. Its stock has appreciated by 25 per cent this year and quintupled in the past 24 months, giving VitalHub a $775-million market capitalization. The company, now listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, has built a reputation as a disciplined health care IT consolidator, specializing in software that organizations in single-payer markets such as Canada, Britain, Australia and the Middle East use to manage the flow of patients from admission to discharge. It has steadily grown annual recurring revenues and delivered 11 straight quarters of operating-earnings growth. Analysts liken it to Descartes Systems Group Inc., which is worth $12.5-billion. 'If you're an investor that already owns Descartes there's no reason why you don't look at VitalHub,' said National Bank of Canada financial markets analyst John Shao. VitalHub is now 70 per cent owned by institutional investors, including Mawer Investment Management and Burgundy Asset Management, and has doubled its analyst coverage in the past year. 'They fit with our philosophy and tagline, which is, 'Be boring, make money,'' said Samir Taghiyev, portfolio manager of Mawer's Canadian small-cap fund, which owns 14 per cent of VitalHub stock. League growing rapidly as digital health care company seeks to raise US$100-million Now, investors hope VitalHub can continue that streak after a slew of big deals. Having previously paid $10-million or less for most acquisitions, it has made its four largest deals in the past 10 months, shelling out $30-million-plus apiece for three of them. That includes $43.6-million last month for Kingston-based Novari Health, a vendor of referral and wait-time-management software. The four deals have doubled VitalHub's ARR to $90-million-plus in 18 months and account for most of the $175-million it has spent on deals. Mr. Matlow expects to face questions when VitalHub reports results Thursday about its two most recent deals, Novari and Britain-based Induction Healthcare Group PLC, which boosted ARR by a combined 25 per cent. Both were losing money and are expected to drag on VitalHub's operating profitability. 'I think the big discussion points will be Induction, Novari, how much will it hurt your bottom-line profile, how long will it take to clean it up,' he said. Like other successful consolidators, VitalHub has a playbook it follows closely. It targets companies within its core markets that generate between $2-million and $20-million in revenue, of which at least 60 per cent must be recurring. It prefers owner-operated businesses that are breaking even or profitable, paying between 1 and 2.5 times revenue. VitalHub then works to increase operating profitability to 20 per cent of revenues, primarily by shifting development to its Sri Lankan operation, which houses 200 of its 500 employees. VitalHub has a pipeline of 400 potential deals and believes it is competing for a potential market of $10-billion of revenues. Its main rivals are DrDoctor in Britain and Wellstar Technologies, a Canadian-focused subsidiary of TSX-listed Well Health Technologies Corp. This little-known Canadian stock is soaring and fund managers are taking notice. Here's how its CEO expects to deliver growth But VitalHub also sets itself apart from other consolidators such as Constellation Software Inc. and OpenText Corp. by not just bulking up sales through acquisitions but also driving robust organic growth from existing businesses. Its organic revenue growth typically runs at around 15 per cent, and its adjusted operating margin has been above 25 per cent of revenues since 2023. That makes it similar to Descartes, which also acquires in a core area – transportation and logistics – while generating organic growth. A key driver of VitalHub's revenue growth is its deep relationship with Britain's National Health Service. The company also counts Nova Scotia Community Services, the Ontario correctional system and Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children among its 1,000-plus customers. Mr. Matlow, 62, is a born hustler from Kitchener, Ont., who regularly won sales contests starting with chocolate-bar drives during his school years. After earning a business degree from York University, he sold education software, then got his first exposure to the health care system while working for a Boston startup that was bought by OpenText in 2003. He led OpenText's health care division before leaving a year later to join TSXV-listed health care IT startup Medworxx, staying until 2016, a year after Vista Equity Partners bought it for $20-million. Influenced by his experiences at OpenText and Vista, he set out in 2016 with Medworxx chief financial officer Brian Goffenberg – now CFO of VitalHub – to build their own consolidator. They bought VitalHub, a Toronto startup, and took it public in a reverse takeover of a TSXV-listed shell company in 2016.
Globe and Mail
4 days ago
- Globe and Mail
Stethoscope Market to Reach USD 826.84 Million by 2030, Driven by Demand for Electronic Devices and Smart Diagnostics
Mordor Intelligence has published a new report on the Stethoscope Market offering a comprehensive analysis of trends, growth drivers, and future projections. Introduction According to a 2025 report on Stethoscope Market by Mordor Intelligence, the global market is projected to grow from USD 663.5 million in 2025 to USD 826.84 million by 2030, registering a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period. The report highlights the rising adoption of electronic stethoscopes, along with expanding telemedicine practices and increasing emphasis on digital healthcare infrastructure, as key factors supporting market growth. The stethoscope remains one of the most essential tools in medical diagnostics, widely used by healthcare professionals across the world. From primary care physicians to specialists in cardiology and pulmonology, stethoscopes are vital for auscultating internal body sounds such as heartbeats, lung function, and bowel activity. Over the years, Stethoscope market has expanded beyond traditional acoustic devices to include electronic and smart stethoscopes that offer enhanced sound amplification, noise filtering, and digital recording Market Trends Rising Adoption of Electronic Stethoscopes: Healthcare professionals are increasingly shifting to electronic stethoscopes for their ability to amplify sounds, reduce ambient noise, and provide more accurate diagnostics. Integration with Telemedicine Platforms: Smart and digital stethoscopes are being used in remote consultations, allowing physicians to perform auscultations virtually by transmitting high-fidelity audio data. Growing Focus on Chronic Disease Monitoring: With the rising prevalence of cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, stethoscopes remain a key diagnostic tool, especially in routine monitoring and early-stage detection. Increased Demand from Home Healthcare Settings: The home healthcare segment is witnessing higher usage of user-friendly and connected stethoscopes, particularly for patients managing long-term illnesses at home. Market Segmentation By Type Acoustic / Manual Stethoscopes: Traditional and widely used, these stethoscopes rely on sound transmission through hollow tubes and remain the go-to choice for many general practitioners. Electronic Stethoscopes: These offer sound amplification and noise cancellation, making them suitable for environments where accurate auscultation is critical, such as emergency and cardiology departments. Smart / AI-Enabled Stethoscopes: Equipped with digital sensors and connectivity features, these devices can record, store, and analyze auscultation data, often integrated with telemedicine platforms. Teaching & Training Stethoscopes: Designed with dual-headpieces or recording capabilities, these are used in academic settings to train medical students and professionals in diagnostic skills. Veterinary Stethoscopes: Tailored for animal physiology, these are used in veterinary clinics and practices to monitor heart, lung, and other internal sounds in pets and livestock. By End User Hospitals & Clinics: These settings represent the largest share of usage, with stethoscopes being essential tools for daily physical exams, diagnostics, and monitoring. Ambulatory Surgical Centers: Used during preoperative and postoperative assessments; stethoscopes support quick evaluations in these outpatient surgical facilities. Home Healthcare: With the growth of in-home care, especially for elderly and chronically ill patients, stethoscopes are increasingly used by nurses and caregivers for routine checks. Telehealth Providers: Digital and smart stethoscopes are facilitating remote auscultation, supporting virtual consultations and expanding care access. Veterinary Practices: Used by veterinarians for diagnostic evaluations across a range of animal species, particularly in specialized or large-animal care. Academic & Training Institutions: Medical schools and training centers utilize stethoscopes to teach diagnostic techniques and clinical practices to students. By Geography North America: A mature market driven by early adoption of electronic devices and integration with digital health systems. Europe: Maintains strong demand with a well-established healthcare system and growing use of smart medical devices. Asia Pacific: The fastest-growing region due to expanding healthcare infrastructure, rising patient population, and increased device adoption. Middle East: A developing market showing steady growth as healthcare facilities modernize and adopt new diagnostic technologies. Major Players 3M Known for its Littmann brand, 3M is a global leader in stethoscope manufacturing, offering a wide range of high-quality acoustic and electronic models widely used by healthcare professionals worldwide. GF Health Products, Inc. Also known as Graham-Field, the company supplies a variety of medical equipment, including stethoscopes, catering to both clinical and home healthcare markets with cost-effective diagnostic tools. American Diagnostic Corporation (ADC) ADC specializes in diagnostic instruments and is recognized for its durable and reliable stethoscopes, designed for use across hospitals, clinics, and academic institutions. ICU Medical, Inc. Though primarily focused on infusion systems and IV therapy, ICU Medical also operates in diagnostic equipment and continues to support clinical use through its healthcare solutions. Baxter (Hill-Rom) Through its Hill-Rom brand, Baxter provides electronic and smart stethoscopes integrated with digital features, supporting the demand for connected care and telehealth-compatible devices. Conclusion The stethoscope market continues to hold a crucial place in medical diagnostics, with consistent demand across hospitals, clinics, academic institutions, and emerging telehealth services. While acoustic stethoscopes remain widely used due to their reliability and affordability, there is a visible shift toward electronic and smart variants that offer enhanced sound quality, digital recording, and remote connectivity. This shift is aligned with the growing need for precision diagnostics, especially in chronic disease management and virtual consultations. Industry Related Reports Electronic Stethoscope Market : The Electronic Stethoscope Market report is segmented by Product (Amplified Electronic Stethoscopes and Digital Electronic Stethoscopes), by Technology (Integrated Chest-Piece System, Wireless Transmission System, and others), by End User (Hospitals and Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers, and more), by Connectivity (Wired, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi), by Distribution Channel (Offline Retail & Distributors, and others), and by Geography. Pocket Otoscope Market: The market is segmented by Application, by End User (Hospitals, ENT Clinics, and Others), and by Geography. Europe Telehealth Service Market : The Europe Telehealth Service Market report segments the industry by Service Type (Telemedicine, Video Conferencing, Remote Patient Monitoring, App-Based Consultation, and Others), by Application Type (Tele-consultation, Tele-pathology, Patient Care, and more), by End Users (Providers, Patients, and more), by Category (Hardware, Software), by Delivery Mode, and by Geography. About Mordor Intelligence: Mordor Intelligence is a trusted partner for businesses seeking comprehensive and actionable market intelligence. Our global reach, expert team, and tailored solutions empower organizations and individuals to make informed decisions, navigate complex markets, and achieve their strategic goals. With a team of over 550 domain experts and on-ground specialists spanning 150+ countries, Mordor Intelligence possesses a unique understanding of the global business landscape. This expertise translates into comprehensive syndicated and custom research reports covering a wide spectrum of industries, including aerospace & defense, agriculture, animal nutrition and wellness, automation, automotive, chemicals & materials, consumer goods & services, electronics, energy & power, financial services, food & beverages, healthcare, hospitality & tourism, information & communications technology, investment opportunities, and logistics. For any inquiries or to access the full report, please contact:media@
Global News
6 days ago
- Global News
Near-record rainfall in Calgary prompts soaring number of complaints about mosquitoes
'I hate mosquitoes,' said Hayato Nagashima as he and a friend prepared to take a walk in Fish Creek Park on Tuesday. It's a familiar refrain heard from many Calgarians following several weeks of unseasonably soggy weather. 'I can't even go into our backyard without getting eaten alive,' said Tracy Elliott-Suliak. 'We tried to go for a walk in the bird sanctuary the other day and I got chased right out. It's just, it's bad.' John Sohigian, an assistant professor in the faculty of veterinary medicine at the University of Calgary, confirms there are a lot more of the pests buzzing around the city lately — likely because of all the rain that fell during the month of July. In a normal year, Calgary would see about 66.2 mm of precipitation in July, but this year the city experienced its third wettest July on record with 167.5 mm of rain falling on the city — making in the third wettest July on record. Story continues below advertisement View image in full screen With close to three times the normal amount of rainfall falling in July this year, there are lots of possible breeding areas for mosquitoes in Calgary. Global News Aside from being extremely annoying, some mosquitoes can also carry nasty viruses. 'So one of the things that we are doing in my lab now is we're testing mosquitoes for West Nile virus, as well as for a group of viruses called California Cerro group viruses — so these are two of the viruses that we're somewhat concerned about being in Alberta,' added Sohigian. In most cases people who become infected with the West Nile virus won't even notice it — but in rare cases, West Nile can lead to severe illnesses that affects the brain or spinal cord. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The symptoms include fever, headache, feeling very tired, body aches, a rash and swollen glands. More serious symptoms may include severe headache, confusion, tremors or convulsions, muscle weakness or paralysis, and in the most severe cases, coma, brain damage and death. Story continues below advertisement This year, Sohigian and his fellow researchers are also tracking a different species of mosquito that's relatively new to Alberta called the culex pipiens — or northern house mosquito — and is known in other parts of the world to carry the West Nile virus. 'We haven't found any yet. It's still early in the year for that though because normally we see West Nile virus later in the year here,' said Sohigian. 'As mosquito populations pick up and then they start biting more birds and other animals that would have that virus, that's when the mosquitoes pick it up.' The northern house mosquito is also more commonly found in rain barrels and other suitable habitat that people have in their backyard. Culex pipiens, also known as the northern house mosquito, is a common carrier of the West Nile virus. University of Calgary Calgarians are also being asked to help track the different species of mosquitoes by taking part in a citizen science project at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary or Ralph Klein Park. Story continues below advertisement People who spot mosquitoes or get bitten while visiting the two parks are being asked to pick up a mosquito sampling kit, drop the mosquito in a small vial, fill out a little information form and drop it all in a collection box. 2:00 Pilot project launched to study mosquitoes in Calgary parks Sohigan said anyone who is worried about mosquitoes should also take a look around their backyard. 'If you have things like water barrels that are uncovered, you could put screens over them or that kind of thing, or if you have flower pots that hold water at the base, you could try dumping that water periodically. Changing (the water in) bird baths or dog bowls or put a screen over top of water barrels to keep the mosquitoes out. That kind of thing will help keep mosquitoes out of our backyards,' said Sohigan. View image in full screen People who are worried about being bitten by mosquitoes are being advised to reduce their risk by looking around their backyard and get rid of any standing water. Global News And the best way to protect yourself when you are outdoors — in places where you think mosquitoes might be around — is to use bug spray. Story continues below advertisement 'Just kind of take some simple precautions to protect yourself and I don't think Calgarians have too much to worry about if they do those steps,' added Sohigan Still, said Madison Shidler, as she and her daughter covered themselves with bug spray as they headed out for walk, the mosquitoes still seem to find a place to bite. 'We spray down every single day and they'll get like that little sliver of skin between your sock and your pant leg, or some have actually gone through the clothing before. It's kind of been rough lately,' added Shidler. 'They've been attacking pretty hard.'
