Canadian journal of public health = Revue canadienne de santé publique
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Can J Public Health · Apr 2015
Comparative StudyGoverning population screening in an age of expansion: The case of newborn screening.
Newborn bloodspot screening is one of the most enduring and successful population screening initiatives. Yet technological innovation to permit simultaneous measurement of multiple biomarkers - and potentially, entire genomes - has spurred expansion and debate. Through a cross-jurisdictional comparison, we describe the varied roles and reach of screening-related governance structures in the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Canada, and highlight the distinct values and resources brought to bear by the genetics, public health and maternal-child health communities in adjudicating the benefits and burdens of expanded newborn screening. We call for the expansion of formal governance structures that are balanced in resources and perspective and mandated to ensure that the organization and delivery of newborn screening achieves optimal quality.
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Can J Public Health · Jan 2015
Space and time clustering of adolescents' emergency department use and post-visit physician care for mood disorders in Alberta, Canada: A population-based 9-year retrospective study.
We used a statistical cluster detection technique to identify geographic areas with higher numbers of adolescents who 1) presented to an emergency department (ED) for a mood disorder, and 2) were without a physician follow-up visit for mental health within 30 days of an ED visit. ⋯ The potential clusters identified may represent geographic areas with higher disease severity or more acute care sought because of less availability of other services. The clusters are not all likely to have occurred by chance and further investigations and discussions with local health care policy makers about reducing the number of ED visits for mood disorders and increasing physician follow-up after the ED visit is an important next step.
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Can J Public Health · Nov 2014
ReviewDifferential environmental exposure among non-Indigenous Canadians as a function of sex/gender and race/ethnicity variables: a scoping review.
To determine the extent, range and types of studies of differential environmental chemical exposures among non-Indigenous Canadians as a function of sex/gender and race/ethnicity. ⋯ The role of sex/gender and race/ethnicity in influencing environmental exposure levels among non-Indigenous Canadians has not been adequately addressed to date.