CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne
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The increasing toxicity of opioids in the unregulated drug market has led to escalating numbers of overdoses in Canada and worldwide; takehome naloxone (THN) is an evidence-based intervention that distributes kits containing naloxone to people in the community who may witness an overdose. The purpose of this guidance is to provide policy recommendations for territorial, provincial and federal THN programs, using evidence from scientific and grey literature and community evidence that reflects 11 years of THN distribution in Canada. ⋯ This guidance development project provides direction for THN programs in Canada in the context of limited published evidence, with recommendations developed in collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
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Access to primary care protects the reproductive and non-reproductive health of females. We aimed to quantify health care disparities among "off-reserve" First Nations, Métis and Inuit females, compared with non-Indigenous females of reproductive age. ⋯ During reproductive age, Indigenous females in Canada face many disparities in health care access, use and unmet needs. Solutions aimed at increasing access to primary care are urgently needed to advance health care reconciliation.