We have been witnessing the emergence of a new profession related to end-of-life care: the end-of-life doulas (sometimes referred as "death doulas"). End-of-life doulas offer continuous support and comfort to people at the end of life and their families.

It is estimated that 80% of Canadians consume alcohol, and of those who drink, nearly six million are considered heavy drinkers. If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol, consider exploring an AA support group in your community or consulting with a health care provider for guidance about available recovery support programs.

Are you looking for clarity around face masks and their role in preventing the transmission of respiratory viruses? If yes, then you should know that research supports the use of masks for this purpose.

April is National Oral Health Month, a good time to check-in on your teeth and gums. Your oral health is an important part of your overall health and something that should be prioritized as a part of your regular routine. Older adults are at particularly high risk for oral health problems, and poor oral health in seniors has been linked to general systemic health risks.

Decision-makers are also facing the challenge of communicating to the public about their vaccination plans, and the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. This is particularly challenging in a context where new information (and misinformation) about COVID-19 vaccines is emerging on a daily basis.

As the snow begins to disappear and temperatures rise, many older adults are eager to get outdoors. Whether you plan to work in the garden, go walking in your neighbourhood, local park or trails, people of all ages report experiencing relaxing or invigorating effects after enjoying the great outdoors. We have compiled a few ways to make the most of the Spring weather and reap the health benefits too.

Have peripheral artery disease in the legs? At home exercise programs can help improve aspects of your walking performance and activity levels.

Given the deep connection that most of us have with music, it should come as no surprise that researchers around the world continue to investigate music's therapeutic benefits. Music is a safe, simple, and inexpensive strategy; however, it continues to be an underused tool. Whether for yourself, or a loved one, consider incorporating more music into your everyday life and enjoy the many benefits it provides.

"Successful aging" has become an important concept to describe the quality of aging. Despite a growing literature on this topic, there is no standard definition of successful aging. What does it mean for older adults?

Although using our devices in moderation is important, research has shown that the technologies we are using can also support our health goals. From helping manage medications, enabling socializing, providing access to health information, supporting weight loss, and more, technology can be a valuable part of our health and wellness journey.

Are you interested in the evidence behind the use of mobile phone apps for blood sugar control? This strategy holds promise for those with type 2 diabetes, but its effectiveness for those with prediabetes or type 1 diabetes requires further investigation.

Every year in Canada, March is coined “Nutrition Month” and aims to raise visibility about the importance of healthy eating. This year’s campaign theme, “Good For You,” explores how healthy eating looks different for everyone depending on things such as one’s culture, personal circumstances, and nutritional needs. We explore what the research says about each of these three key areas below.

The environmental benefits of urban green spaces are well known: greenhouse gas reduction, stormwater control, biodiversity conservation, and more. But did you know that urban trees are also associated with human health and well-being?

There has been a lot of anticipation for vaccine roll-out to begin, and now that it is under way, many people have questions about distribution and allocation. If you missed it, read more to learn about how decisions are being made and how challenges are being overcome to help Canada achieve “herd immunity” for COVID-19.

If you’re interested in aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as a dementia prevention strategy, you should know that current evidence doesn’t support their use for this purpose and raises red flags around potential health risks.

Walking is a relatively easy way to stay active - it doesn’t require any fancy equipment or a gym membership to do. If you are looking for ways to make it more interesting, try Nordic walking for a full body workout, or walking to music to increase your pace. If you are looking to track your performance over time, a wearable device can help.

After months of waiting, vaccination campaigns have finally started in order to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. While health systems are used to running vaccination campaigns, the global COVID-19 pandemic raises many challenges. In a context of a limited supply of vaccine doses, who should be prioritized and on what grounds?

Heart disease affects over 2.5 million Canadians each year and is the second-leading cause of death in Canada. Luckily, healthy lifestyle choices – like diet modifications and exercise – are a good way to combat heart disease. Other strategies that involve medication reviews and lowering salt-intake can also help lower your risk.

Peppers, and tomatoes, and grapes. Oh my! If you’re looking for strategies to help protect your bones against breaks, see what the research has to say about fruit and vegetable intake.

Today, February 4, 2021, is World Cancer Day, a day to inspire change and mobilize people to action all year long. In Canada, cancer is the leading cause of death, but the good news is that up to 50% of all cancer cases are preventable. You can reduce your risk by improving key lifestyle factors, including your diet, the amount of activity you do, and by eliminating harmful substances.