Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Sandra Smiley (she/her) @sandrasmiley.bsky.social · 17h

"Make compassion great again" -- where can I buy THAT cap? 🧢🤩

Q&A with @madhupai.bsky.social
via @cellpress.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Q&A with Madhukar Pai

Professor Madhukar Pai, MD, PhD, FCAHS, FRSC, is the inaugural chair, Department of Global and Public Health at the McGill School of Population and Gl…

www.sciencedirect.com

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Sandra Smiley (she/her) @sandrasmiley.bsky.social · 7d

Re-upping my conversation with @drmelissalem.bsky.social in advance of 🇨🇦‘s National Day of Action on Planetary Health, 6 October: planetaryhealthday.ca

#planetaryhealthday @cape-acme.bsky.social

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Sandra Smiley (she/her) @sandrasmiley.bsky.social · 7d

“We need to recognize that the people most impacted, they're not able to speak for themselves … to say, 'Hey, this is the dignified care needed after someone dies’”

BC funeral homes say provincial burial support falls short of covering costs
via @cdnpress.bsky.social
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

B.C. funeral homes say provincial burial support falls thousands short of covering costs | CBC News

British Columbia's government helps to pay families who can't afford funeral costs, but those who offer the services say the funding isn't enough and could mean the demise of rural operators.

www.cbc.ca

Sandra Smiley (she/her) @sandrasmiley.bsky.social · 7d

Toronto ER costs, visits by frequent patients reduced with new housing model
via @liamdevlincasey.bsky.social
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Toronto ER costs, visits by frequent patients reduced with new housing model | CBC News

The Dunn House, a long-term housing project with easy access to healthcare, is helping 48 of Toronto's most-frequent visitors to the ER. The program has greatly reduced the number of hospital visits a...

www.cbc.ca

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Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)

Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) @msf.ca · 10d

Today marks 10 years since the bombing of the Kunduz trauma centre, #Afghanistan. We remember the 42 lives lost, including 14 MSF colleagues.

Since reopening in 2021, our teams have treated over 95,000 emergency patients. Hear how the new hospital is helping the community.

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Sandra Smiley (she/her) @sandrasmiley.bsky.social · 10d

What to know about the war in Sudan
via @geoffreyyork.bsky.social @theglobeandmail.com
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...

The war in Sudan is the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis. Here’s how it started and the toll so far

The conflict is in its third year, with the latest ceasefire talks going nowhere. Meanwhile, aid is falling far short of what’s needed

www.theglobeandmail.com

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Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)

Now Toronto @nowtoronto.bsky.social · 12d

Children with sickle cell disease will have access to a dedicated clinic at SickKids thanks to The Prince Hall Family, and it will be named after a distinguished Ontario public servant. #SickKids #SickleCellDisease #PrinceHallFamily

nowtoronto.com/news/sickkid...

SickKids is opening first-of-its-kind sickle cell clinic in Canada, and naming it after renowned Black community member - NOW Toronto

For the first time in Canada, children with sickle cell disease will have access to a dedicated clinic at SickKids — named in honour of a distinguished Ontario public servant.

nowtoronto.com

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Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)

Robb Barnes 🇨🇦 @robb-barnes.bsky.social · 11d

At @cape-acme.bsky.social we're sometimes asked, Why don't doctors stay in their lane?

The answer: health is about more than health care.

Planetary health is public health, which is why the first National Day of Action on Planetary Health is happening Oct. 6.

healthydebate.ca/2025/10/topi...

Planetary health is public health - Healthy Debate

Ignoring planetary health would be a gross dereliction of duty by the public health profession.

healthydebate.ca

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Sandra Smiley (she/her) @sandrasmiley.bsky.social · 11d

Gaza doctors are starving while fighting to save lives, evacuated medic tells BBC
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Gaza doctors are starving while fighting to save lives, evacuated medic tells BBC - BBC News

Dr Mohammed Abu Mughaisib, who worked in hospitals in Gaza for two years, says Israeli strikes have made conditions "indescribable" for colleagues still there.

www.bbc.com

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Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)

Guy Felicella @guyfelicella.bsky.social · 11d

My latest op ed 👇🏼

I almost spit out my coffee when I read the headline and premise of last week’s opinion column by Marshall Smith, the former chief of staff to the premier of Alberta: “Banning public drug use is bold, courageous and obvious.”

calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu...

Opinion: Criminalizing drug use won't solve addiction

It’s easy to cheer for more enforcement against drug users and for abandoning them to deadly consequences if they don’t comply.

calgaryherald.com

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Sandra Smiley (she/her) @sandrasmiley.bsky.social · 11d

“It’s very clear. Give people money for food. When people have money, they use it for food.”

Centre in Iqaluit says territory is in a food crisis
via @aptnnews.bsky.social
www.aptnnews.ca/national-new...

Centre in Iqaluit says territory is in a food ‘crisis’

Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre and Arctic Youth and Child Foundation in Iqaluit say territory is in a food ‘crisis’

www.aptnnews.ca

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Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)

Vivre dans la Dignité / Living with Dignity @vivredignite.bsky.social · 12d

« Le père des soins palliatifs, le Dr Balfour Mount, n’est plus »

Article @cdnpress.bsky.social @katrinedesautels.bsky.social (FR + EN)

Témoignages du Dr Patrick Vinay @vivredignite.bsky.social & @jstnsndrs.bsky.social @caremcgill.bsky.social
www.lapresse.ca/actualites/s...

#RIPBalfourMount 1/

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Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)

The Guardian @theguardian.com · 12d

‘Will my baby be born in a tent? Will it have food?’: what it’s like to be pregnant in Gaza

The World Health Organization has warned that more than 40% of pregnant women in the Gaza Strip are malnourished. Here, Nour Ziad al-Batsh, who is expecting her third child in March, describes her daily struggle to find food and healthcare

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)

The Walrus @thewalrus.ca · 12d

For Eva Jewell, the public and political indifference to the dignity of Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people is rooted in a specific problem: Canadian exceptionalism that touts progressive feminist politics except if you’re Indigenous. thewalrus.ca/trc-gender/

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Sandra Smiley (she/her) @sandrasmiley.bsky.social · 12d

Today, I’m revisiting my convo with the wonderful Derek K. Thompson – Čaabať Bookwilla | Suhiltun, Director of Indigenous Engagement @ubcmedicine.bsky.social.

In it, Derek shares reflections on Truth & Reconciliation, & the part that medical learners can play in moving the process forward. 🍁🧡🩺

Just Medicine Podcast @justmedicinepod.bsky.social · Feb 17

New episode, out now! 🎙️🩺

Realizing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of 🇨🇦's health-related Calls to Action:
creators.spotify.com/pod/show/jus...

32. Realizing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s health-related Calls to Action by Just Medicine

In this episode, our host Sandra chats with Derek K. Thompson – Čaabať Bookwilla | Suhiltun, a member of the diitiidʔaaʔtx̣ – Ditidaht First Nation and Director of Indigenous Engagement at the Univers...

creators.spotify.com

Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)

Canada Healthwatch 🍁 @canadahealthwatch.ca · 12d

Another Ottawa supervised consumption site faces closure as province withholds support https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/another-ottawa-supervised-consumption-site-faces-closure-as-province-withholds-support-1.7646739

𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca/newsletter

The Ottawa Public Health supervised consumption site is seen upon its opening in 2017.

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Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)

Anna Mehler Paperny @mehlerpaperny.bsky.social · 12d

www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...

For volunteer paramedics in Gaza, every lost second can mean a lost life

The ambulance has become an extension of Mohammed Hosni, who rarely rests or sees his family

www.theglobeandmail.com

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Sandra Smiley (she/her) @sandrasmiley.bsky.social · 12d

Doctors renew calls for overdose prevention with 'pop-up' sites at Vancouver Island hospitals
via CBC News
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Doctors renew calls for overdose prevention with 'pop-up' sites at Vancouver Island hospitals | CBC News

A group of physicians on Vancouver Island have rekindled their advocacy for overdose prevention sites in health-care settings by creating their own unsanctioned sites outside of major hospitals in Vic...

www.cbc.ca

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Sandra Smiley (she/her) @sandrasmiley.bsky.social · 12d

Indigenous surgeon draws on lessons from her mother to make history
via @kkirkup.bsky.social @theglobeandmail.com
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...

Indigenous surgeon draws on lessons from her mother to make history

Nadine Caron is working to advance health equity in Indigenous patients

www.theglobeandmail.com

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Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)

Canada Healthwatch 🍁 @canadahealthwatch.ca · 13d

B.C. is expanding its involuntary care program. What does the treatment involve? https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/involuntary-care-treatment-bc-1.7553745

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca 🍁

Involuntary care was put in the spotlight last fall during the provincial election campaign when Premier David Eby announced plans to expand that type of care for people with addiction.

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Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)

Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) @msf.ca · 13d

Last night, Al-Helou hospital in #Gaza City, supported by MSF, sustained severe collateral damage from nearby attacks. This came despite multiple assurances from Israeli forces that the hospital was not in danger.

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Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)

CHEK News @cheknews.ca · 14d

Doctors for Safer Drug Policy installed two overdose prevention sites near Royal Jubilee Hospital and Nanaimo Regional General Hospital over the weekend.

Unsanctioned overdose prevention sites open again in Victoria, Nanaimo

Doctors for Safer Drug Policy installed two overdose prevention sites near Royal Jubilee Hospital and Nanaimo Regional General Hospital over the weekend.

cheknews.ca

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Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)

Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research @uviccisur.bsky.social · 13d

"Liver harm caused by alcohol is a public health problem. Collectively, we need to take better care of our livers by taking steps to reduce alcohol consumption in the population."
CISUR's Tim Naimi in @ca.theconversation.com #alcoholpolicy #alcoholresearch

The Conversation Canada @ca.theconversation.com · 14d

How alcohol contributes to the epidemic of liver disease

Liver harm caused by alcohol is a public health problem. Collectively, we need to take better care of our livers by taking steps to reduce alcohol consumption in the population.

theconversation.com

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Sandra Smiley (she/her) @sandrasmiley.bsky.social · 16d

“Our clinics are encircled … we have been left with no choice”

Palestine: MSF forced to suspend activities amid intensified Israeli offensive in Gaza City
via @msf.ca

www.doctorswithoutborders.ca/palestine-ms...

Palestine: MSF forced to suspend activities amid intensified Israeli offensive in Gaza City | Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF ...

The relentless Israeli offensive in Gaza City has forced Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to suspend essential medical activities in the area due to the rapidly deteriorating sec...

www.doctorswithoutborders.ca

Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)

Dr Javid Abdelmoneim @intlpresident.msf.org · 27d

The Global Sumud Flotilla on its way to Gaza is an act of protest and a show of support for Palestinians enduring annihilation through Israel’s genocide.

I’m wishing the flotilla success. At @msf.org, we support this action of solidarity and humanity.

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