Latest news with #medicalofficer
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Trevor Arnason confirmed as Ottawa's top doctor
Dr. Trevor Arnason has been named Ottawa Public Health's (OPH) new medical officer of health, the city announced Wednesday during a meeting of city council. Arnason has been in the job in an interim capacity since February when Dr. Vera Etches left to become president and CEO of CHEO, eastern Ontario's children's hospital in Ottawa. Etches served as the city's top doctor through the COVID-19 pandemic, and her frequent public updates during that period made her a household name. Arnason joined OPH in 2019 as an associate medical officer of health, becoming deputy medical officer of health in May 2024, according to the city. Before joining OPH, he was the regional medical officer of health in Halifax. He served as the lead medical consultant for the city's COVID-19 vaccine distribution task force and was responsible for immunization programs, among other portfolios. Arnason was born and raised in Ottawa, completing his undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Ottawa before getting his doctorate at the University of Toronto. He certified in public health, preventative medicine and family medicine during his residency. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Medicine and served as program director for its public health and preventive medicine residency program from 2021 to 2024.
CTV News
23-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Dr. Trevor Arnason named Ottawa's new medical officer of health
Dr. Trevor Arnason speaks to CTV News Ottawa. May 1, 2025. Arnason has been appointed as the new medical officer of health for the City of Ottawa. (Shaun Vardon/CTV News Ottawa) Ottawa City Council has approved the appointment of Dr. Trevor Arnason as the city's new medical officer of health. Arnason has been serving as the interim medical officer of health since Feb. 1, after Dr. Vera Etches left Ottawa Public Health earlier this year to become the new president and CEO of CHEO. Arnason served as deputy medical officer of health in Ottawa since May 2024 and associate medical officer of health (AMOH) since 2019. 'As AMOH, he was the physician responsible for immunization programs and served as the lead medical consultant for the City of Ottawa's COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Taskforce. He has also been the AMOH responsible for portfolios in sexually transmitted and bloodborne Infections, chronic disease and injury prevention and mental health and substance use,' Ottawa Public Health says on its website. Prior to joining Ottawa Public Health, Arnason was the Regional Medical Officer of Health for Halifax, N.S. from 2016 to 2018. OPH says Arnason was born and raised in Ottawa and holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biology and a Master of Science in Epidemiology from the University of Ottawa and a Medical Doctorate from the University of Toronto. Arnason earned a salary of $270,912 in 2024 as deputy medical officer of health. Etches, in her final year as medical officer of health, earned $325,484, according to Ontario's Sunshine List.
CNET
22-07-2025
- Health
- CNET
Extreme Heat Got You Down? Try These Mental Health Hacks to Cope
When the heat cranks up, the first things we usually worry about are sunburn and dehydration. But scorching temperatures don't just wear your body down, they can mess with your mental health, too. Studies have found that extreme heat can raise stress levels, disrupt sleep, and make anxiety or depression feel even worse. Much of the impact comes down to access. Those without reliable air conditioning, clean water or safe shelter are especially vulnerable, and heat-related stressors tend to pile up fast. Whether you're navigating a heat wave alone or caring for others, knowing how to protect your mental well-being is just as critical as staying physically cool. Simple actions like staying hydrated, limiting outdoor activity and creating cooler rest zones can go a long way toward protecting your peace of mind during the hottest months. Mental health conditions may increase your risk for heat-related illness Your risk of heat-related illness can increase if you have a mental health condition. But it's not a simple line from point A (having a mental illness) to B (having a higher risk). It all comes down to what resources you have access to, your awareness of your condition and the medications you take. I spoke with Dr. Ken Duckworth, chief medical officer at National Alliance on Mental Illness. During our conversation, he stressed the importance of access: "People with mental health conditions are more likely to not have access to air conditioning, and isolation can result for people who feel like they can't move or leave." One mental health condition can make it harder for your body to deal with high temperatures. A review published in the Journal of Schizophrenia Research revealed that those with schizophrenia have more difficulty adapting to heat. This then contributes to the higher risk of hospitalization during extreme heat. "People who take medications for psychiatric needs have to be especially careful. It's not all medications, but some antipsychotic medications reduce the ability to control temperature," Duckworth said. If a person who takes one of these antipsychotic medications is in the heat, their body temperature is more likely to mimic outdoor temperature. Examples of antipsychotic medications are Risperdal and Seroquel. Add in that schizophrenia is disproportionately represented in homeless populations, and you can see how someone might be at greater risk. However, if someone with schizophrenia can access air conditioning and community support, they don't have an increased risk. Medications can also interact with the heat in other ways. Another example that Duckworth spoke about was lithium, the gold standard for treatment for bipolar disorder. Those who take lithium can experience higher rates of lithium toxicity in the heat because as dehydration sets in, lithium levels increase. "People with bipolar disorder who know to stay hydrated are not really at risk of becoming lithium toxic," Duckworth said. The risk increases if you aren't aware of how your medication can interact with heat. "People who haven't been told that by their doctor or don't remember are more likely not to recognize they need to get their lithium levels checked." Health risk in the extreme heat doesn't directly depend on whether you have a mental health condition. It depends if you have access to air conditioning, community and knowledge of your condition. How can heat affect your daily mental health? The impact of heat on mental health isn't limited to those with an established history. The temperature outside can negatively impact your mental wellness in subtle ways you might not notice. Studies have found that heat influences a person's mental health regardless of age, sex and geographical location. A study published in JAMA Psychiatry that analyzed medical records of more than 2.2 million adults from 2010 to 2019 found that mental health-related emergency room visits increased by 8% during the hottest summer days. Mixmike/Getty Images It's harder to sleep in the heat To have good mental health, you need to sleep well. Unfortunately, that's easier said than done in the heat, especially if you live without air conditioning or sleep beside a human furnace. Sleep deprivation can amplify symptoms of anxiety and depression. Poor sleep makes it harder to regulate emotions, perceive stimuli and cope with stress. Aside from AC, there are ways to sleep cooler on hot nights: Freeze your bedding or socks before you get in bed. Block out as much heat from your bedroom as possible during the day. Blackout curtains are a great option. Use fans in your bedroom to keep air circulating. You can even add a bowl of ice in front of the fan for extra cooling. Anxiety is worse in the heat When you're hot, cortisol (the stress hormone) levels in the body spike. Our body fights to regulate our internal temperature, which adds stress and inflammation. This can leave you feeling irritated and uncomfortable. It can also trigger feelings of anxiety. There's also a broader toll that extreme heat conditions have on mental health. Climate anxiety is a real thing. According to Duckworth, rates of anxiety are higher in younger people. He attributes heat and climate change as one logical explanation that rates of generalized anxiety disorder are on the rise. "It's a sense of something terrifying that's out of our control," he said. Heat doesn't just affect anxiety in the moment. For many, it's a lasting concern that becomes a source of enduring anxious feelings. It's hard to regulate your mood in the heat Several things contribute to depression symptoms associated with heat. First, heat suppresses the brain's serotonin circulation, the hormone essential for regulating mood. There are also things that happen during summer that can contribute to depressive episodes -- financial worry, body image issues, and disrupted eating and sleep schedules. Seasonal affective disorder is a mood disorder marked by depressive symptoms that occur during the same period each year. It's not a one-off thing; it has to be observed for multiple years and established as a pattern. When you hear seasonal affective disorder, you likely think of winter, but SAD isn't limited to cold months. It can happen in the summer as well. "The key to all mental health conditions in general and mood disorders, in particular, is to get a good understanding of the pattern, if there is one for you," Duckworth said. "Learn about yourself, understand your patterns and don't feel bad if your pattern happens to be when everyone else is going to the beach." Some mood disorders like bipolar disorder are also aggravated when there is more light. A systematic review of studies found that heat triggers bipolar episodes that require hospital stays at a higher rate than other temperatures. However, as Duckworth explained, light is just one variable and doesn't mean you'll have more episodes. Those with bipolar disorder can plan and anticipate to reduce their risk. Tips to manage your daily mental health in the heat Just because it's hot outside doesn't mean your mental health will suffer. Being intentional about nourishing your health and looking for triggers can help you manage your wellness and beat the heat. Many tactics used to protect your body also apply to your mental health. Use these practical tips to enjoy the summer while boosting your mental health. Know how heat impacts your condition: Knowledge is one of the most essential components in the fight against heat. Talk to your doctor about how the heat may impact you or your medications, then plan accordingly. Knowledge is one of the most essential components in the fight against heat. Talk to your doctor about how the heat may impact you or your medications, then plan accordingly. Pay attention to your water intake : Dehydration is more prevalent during heat waves. Those with mental health conditions must pay special attention to how much water they drink, as dehydration can exacerbate symptoms. It also can compromise brain functioning and hamper serotonin production. : Dehydration is more prevalent during heat waves. Those with mental health conditions must pay special attention to how much water they drink, as dehydration can exacerbate symptoms. It also can compromise brain functioning and hamper serotonin production. Keep taking your medication : Even though some psychiatric drugs can impact a person's ability to regulate body temperature, it's essential to keep taking your medication as prescribed. If you want to discontinue a prescription, you must speak with your doctor to establish a plan. : Even though some psychiatric drugs can impact a person's ability to regulate body temperature, it's essential to keep taking your medication as prescribed. If you want to discontinue a prescription, you must speak with your doctor to establish a plan. Take a cool shower or bath: Bathing in cool water can help you manage the heat. It's imperative if you don't have an air conditioner. Bathing in cool water can help you manage the heat. It's imperative if you don't have an air conditioner. Identify triggers: For those living with SAD or summertime blues, it's important to identify your triggers to establish coping mechanisms. Recognize the patterns you have and plan accordingly. FGHeat and mental health is everyone's problem Your mental wellness is more intertwined with the temperature outside than you may have expected. The relationship is two-fold. First, being in the heat can leave you feeling stressed and compromise your ability to regulate your mood. Second, having mental health conditions -- especially if you take medication for them -- can increase your risk for heat-related illnesses if you don't have resources and support. Those with mental health conditions like schizophrenia are overrepresented in at-risk and homeless populations. Change is a shared responsibility that we all should take seriously. To do your part, consider checking in on your neighbors and family members with mental health conditions to make sure they have access to water and fans and to reduce their social isolation. If your city has cooling centers, spread the word. Community support can be the key to making heat less dangerous to mental health.
CTV News
25-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Grand Erie Public Health welcomes new medical officer of health
Grand Erie Public Health has announced the hiring of a new medical officer of health. Dr. Jason Malenfant will step into the position on July 10 following the passing of Grand Erie's former medical officer of health, Dr. Malcolm Lock, in February. Malenfant was born and raised in Oakville and has multiple board certifications, as well as expertise in infectious diseases, epidemiology, preventative medicine and health systems change. In the past, he served as the epidemic intelligence service officer with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He was also deployed to multiple countries to support their emergency and outbreak responses. Most recently, Malenfant was the assistant professor of infectious diseases at Marshall University in West Virginia. 'I'm really excited to be joining Grand Erie Public Health at such an important time for the organization,' Malenfant said in a release. 'It's a great opportunity to help lead this next chapter for the communities we serve. I'm looking forward to working closely with community members, partners and local leaders across Brantford, Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk to protect and promote the health and well-being of everyone who lives here. I'm looking forward to building strong relationships and making a real difference—together.' Dr. Rebecca Comley had been filling in as the health unit's acting medical officer of health. Her last day in the role will be June 27. Meanwhile, the recruitment process continues for a part-time associate medical officer of health.
Free Malaysia Today
15-06-2025
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
10-month-old baby dies during bath by babysitter
Sungai Buloh police chief Hafiz Nor said a medical officer at the UiTM Hospital Puncak Alam informed them about the death. (Facebook pic) KUALA LUMPUR : A 10-month-old baby died after she was believed to have fallen while being bathed by her babysitter in Puncak Alam, Selangor, last Friday. Sungai Buloh police chief Hafiz Nor said the case was reported to the police by a medical officer at the UiTM Hospital Puncak Alam at 10.42pm. According to the medical officer, the baby, who was unconscious, was taken to the hospital's emergency department's red zone at 7.23pm in a hospital ambulance from a clinic in Puncak Alam. 'The complainant and emergency specialist doctors provided respiratory treatment and medication to the baby, which took about 22 minutes, but the baby showed no signs of breathing,' he said in a statement today. Hafiz said the baby's mother then filed a police report and stated she received a call from the babysitter at 5.40pm informing her that her child had fallen and was unconscious. 'According to the babysitter, the incident occurred when she wanted to bathe the baby. She took the baby to a clinic in Puncak Alam,' he said. Hafiz said the baby's body was taken to the UiTM Puncak Alam Hospital for a post-mortem, and the case was classified as sudden death pending the result of the post-mortem.
