Tuesday, 12 May 2015
Obese students far less likely to finish high school, Swedish study says
http://www.latimes.com/science/la-sci-sn-childhood-obesity-high-school-graduation-rate-20150507-story.html
Thursday, 7 May 2015
Soda tax legislation introduced to help fight diabetes in Califo - KUSI News - San Diego, CA
Soda tax legislation introduced to help fight diabetes in Califo - KUSI News - San Diego, CA
Prevention makes good sense ! Canada just gave away 4.5 MILLION DOLLARS to conduct research on weight loss surgery. Paul Murphy
Prevention makes good sense ! Canada just gave away 4.5 MILLION DOLLARS to conduct research on weight loss surgery. Paul Murphy
Soda tax linked to reduced consumption, calories - SFGate
Soda tax linked to reduced consumption, calories - SFGate
"
More than any other sugary food or beverage, experts are most worried
about the health ramifications of soda. It's the devil, they say.
Doctors and scientists say they have reason to be concerned about soda consumption in the United States, and figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
back them up: More than two-thirds of Americans are overweight, and
more than 36 percent of Americans are obese. In addition, doctors and
scientists say, 35 to 45 percent of the average person's intake of added
sugar in the U.S. comes from soda.
Obesity has been linked to a higher prevalence of chronic disease"
Source Below:
http://m.sfgate.com/health/article/Soda-tax-linked-to-reduced-consumption-calories-5267530.php
"
More than any other sugary food or beverage, experts are most worried
about the health ramifications of soda. It's the devil, they say.
Doctors and scientists say they have reason to be concerned about soda consumption in the United States, and figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
back them up: More than two-thirds of Americans are overweight, and
more than 36 percent of Americans are obese. In addition, doctors and
scientists say, 35 to 45 percent of the average person's intake of added
sugar in the U.S. comes from soda.
Source Below:
http://m.sfgate.com/health/article/Soda-tax-linked-to-reduced-consumption-calories-5267530.php
Wednesday, 6 May 2015
Paramedics help create their own PTSD training in Thunder Bay - Thunder Bay - CBC News
Paramedics help create their own PTSD training in Thunder Bay - Thunder Bay - CBC News
My name is Paul Murphy and I have worked at a youth jail for the Province of Ontario . My training did not include Trauma training , nor did it include an awareness and an appreciation regarding Mental Health. The Ontario Workplace Safety Board has failed to create an environment that addresses Mental Health in the workplace.
My name is Paul Murphy and I have worked at a youth jail for the Province of Ontario . My training did not include Trauma training , nor did it include an awareness and an appreciation regarding Mental Health. The Ontario Workplace Safety Board has failed to create an environment that addresses Mental Health in the workplace.
Cheri DiNovo tables bill to
help police and others with PTSD
help police and others with PTSD
Published
on Monday October 08, 2012
on Monday October 08, 2012
NDP MPP
Cheri DiNovo (Parkdale-High Park) has tabled a private member's bill to help
police and other front-line responders suffering from work-related PTSD.
Cheri DiNovo (Parkdale-High Park) has tabled a private member's bill to help
police and other front-line responders suffering from work-related PTSD.
Curtis
Rush
Police Reporter
Rush
Police Reporter
Related Articles
New
Democrat MPP Cheri DiNovo has tabled a bill that would fast-track benefit
claims for police and other front-line responders with post-traumatic stress disorder arising out of work.
Democrat MPP Cheri DiNovo has tabled a bill that would fast-track benefit
claims for police and other front-line responders with post-traumatic stress disorder arising out of work.
On
Wednesday, DiNovo (MPP-Parkdale-High Park) will
hold a news conference with key stakeholders to announce her private member’s
bill to amend the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.
Wednesday, DiNovo (MPP-Parkdale-High Park) will
hold a news conference with key stakeholders to announce her private member’s
bill to amend the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.
The bill
was tabled late last week.
More: Police officers open up about
secret work stresses
was tabled late last week.
More: Police officers open up about
secret work stresses
If
passed, the “presumptive” legislation would mean that it would be presumed that
front-line responders suffering from PTSD acquired the illness on the job.
passed, the “presumptive” legislation would mean that it would be presumed that
front-line responders suffering from PTSD acquired the illness on the job.
PTSD
claims now are decided on a case-by-case basis, and appeals can take years to
settle.
claims now are decided on a case-by-case basis, and appeals can take years to
settle.
DiNovo’s
proposed legislation is similar to an Ontario law passed in 2007 affecting
firefighters who develop any of eight types of cancer or have a heart attack
within 24 hours of battling a fire.
proposed legislation is similar to an Ontario law passed in 2007 affecting
firefighters who develop any of eight types of cancer or have a heart attack
within 24 hours of battling a fire.
Prior to
the change, the onus was on firefighters to prove they got sick on the job in
order to get compensation from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).
the change, the onus was on firefighters to prove they got sick on the job in
order to get compensation from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).
Jim
Christie, head of the Ontario Provincial Police Association, said his group
supports DiNovo’s bill because police employers currently “drag out the process.”
Christie, head of the Ontario Provincial Police Association, said his group
supports DiNovo’s bill because police employers currently “drag out the process.”
“Why
would you not want any employee, if they’re suffering from an illness, to be
diagnosed, be treated and get back to work?”
would you not want any employee, if they’re suffering from an illness, to be
diagnosed, be treated and get back to work?”
DiNovo
has tried to get this amendment passed in 2008 and 2010, but her bill did not
get to second reading.
has tried to get this amendment passed in 2008 and 2010, but her bill did not
get to second reading.
However,
with a minority Liberal government and more public understanding of PTSD,
DiNovo believes her bill has a better chance this time.
with a minority Liberal government and more public understanding of PTSD,
DiNovo believes her bill has a better chance this time.
“It’s one
of those important issues we have to keep pounding on until it happens,” she
said. “These are critical battles for the people affected.”
of those important issues we have to keep pounding on until it happens,” she
said. “These are critical battles for the people affected.”
The news
conference follows a Star
investigation this
past weekend into complaints to Ontario ombudsman André Marin by former and
current Ontario Provincial Police officers about how the force deals with PTSD.
conference follows a Star
investigation this
past weekend into complaints to Ontario ombudsman André Marin by former and
current Ontario Provincial Police officers about how the force deals with PTSD.
Marin’s
report is expected to be released publicly in the next few weeks.
report is expected to be released publicly in the next few weeks.
Post-traumatic
stress disorder can emerge after exposure to a traumatic event or series of
events, and may include paranoia, nightmares, rage, flashbacks and panic
attacks.
stress disorder can emerge after exposure to a traumatic event or series of
events, and may include paranoia, nightmares, rage, flashbacks and panic
attacks.
Andy
Emmink, a
lawyer who handles many police WSIB claims, said officers can now be forced at
hearings to reconstruct the policing experiences that led to their PTSD.
Emmink, a
lawyer who handles many police WSIB claims, said officers can now be forced at
hearings to reconstruct the policing experiences that led to their PTSD.
“It’s
difficult to get an incident number for an event that happened back in the
1980s,” Emmink said. “Often the WSIB will say, ‘We can’t corroborate any of
this, so your claim is denied.’ ”
difficult to get an incident number for an event that happened back in the
1980s,” Emmink said. “Often the WSIB will say, ‘We can’t corroborate any of
this, so your claim is denied.’ ”
In trying
to reconstruct their traumatic history, some officers relive the horror and
suffer total relapse.
to reconstruct their traumatic history, some officers relive the horror and
suffer total relapse.
Since
DiNovo last presented the presumptive legislation, police leaders have
expressed concerns, predicting a “financial tsunami” for cities and staffing
problems for police if presumptive legislation is passed.
DiNovo last presented the presumptive legislation, police leaders have
expressed concerns, predicting a “financial tsunami” for cities and staffing
problems for police if presumptive legislation is passed.
DiNovo
discounts that reasoning.
discounts that reasoning.
“This
doesn’t mean there is going to be a run on the bank,” she said, adding that
society will be paying in social assistance if these front-line workers aren’t
treated and treated quickly.
doesn’t mean there is going to be a run on the bank,” she said, adding that
society will be paying in social assistance if these front-line workers aren’t
treated and treated quickly.
She
called for “dignity” for these workers and not making them “grovel” for
benefits.
called for “dignity” for these workers and not making them “grovel” for
benefits.
Financially,
the WSIB is staggering under the weight of an unfunded liability of $13.74
billion, which has grown from $9 billion in 2007.
the WSIB is staggering under the weight of an unfunded liability of $13.74
billion, which has grown from $9 billion in 2007.
The WSIB
is financed through premiums charged on the insurable payrolls of employers.
is financed through premiums charged on the insurable payrolls of employers.
Unless it
addresses this liability, the WSIB may be unable to meet its existing and
future financial commitments to provide workers benefits, Ontario Auditor
General Jim McCarter has warned.
addresses this liability, the WSIB may be unable to meet its existing and
future financial commitments to provide workers benefits, Ontario Auditor
General Jim McCarter has warned.
Unfunded
liability is the difference between the assets currently available to make
future payments on claims that are already in the system and an estimate of the
WSIB’s financial obligation to make future payments as they become due.
liability is the difference between the assets currently available to make
future payments on claims that are already in the system and an estimate of the
WSIB’s financial obligation to make future payments as they become due.
This
unfunded liability is driven by rising claims and health-care costs that
outpaced premium revenues, the WSIB says.
unfunded liability is driven by rising claims and health-care costs that
outpaced premium revenues, the WSIB says.
In the
eye of the storm is WSIB president and CEO David Marshall, who was hired in
2009 in part to eliminate this unfunded liability, and the WSIB thought this
could be done by 2014.
eye of the storm is WSIB president and CEO David Marshall, who was hired in
2009 in part to eliminate this unfunded liability, and the WSIB thought this
could be done by 2014.
Marshall
receives a bonus of up to 20 per cent on his $400,000 salary to reduce claims,
and his critics say this bonus is being paid on the backs of workers.
receives a bonus of up to 20 per cent on his $400,000 salary to reduce claims,
and his critics say this bonus is being paid on the backs of workers.
Meanwhile,
much work behind the scenes is being done on post-traumatic stress involving
the WSIB.
much work behind the scenes is being done on post-traumatic stress involving
the WSIB.
Last
month, the labour ministry announced it is launching a roundtable with police
as key stakeholders to identify and share best practices for dealing with
post-traumatic stress in the workplace.
month, the labour ministry announced it is launching a roundtable with police
as key stakeholders to identify and share best practices for dealing with
post-traumatic stress in the workplace.
The
Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police is calling for more discussion to come
up with an appropriate diagnostic tool to identify PTSD in police personnel.
Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police is calling for more discussion to come
up with an appropriate diagnostic tool to identify PTSD in police personnel.
“We’re
not resisting,” said association executive director Ron Bain, adding that
“spin” from some corners suggest that police leaders have been insensitive on
the issue.
not resisting,” said association executive director Ron Bain, adding that
“spin” from some corners suggest that police leaders have been insensitive on
the issue.
“I think
that’s a bit unfair,” he said, adding police are trying to come up with a PTSD
model specific to policing.
that’s a bit unfair,” he said, adding police are trying to come up with a PTSD
model specific to policing.
Comparisons
to the military model don’t work, he said, because “people in the military
situation are not looking to go back to the front line. We’re looking for
something that fits policing.”
to the military model don’t work, he said, because “people in the military
situation are not looking to go back to the front line. We’re looking for
something that fits policing.”
A working
group of police leaders is trying to come up with an education component to
address stigma as well as preventable piece.
group of police leaders is trying to come up with an education component to
address stigma as well as preventable piece.
The
biggest challenge is a diagnostic tool.
biggest challenge is a diagnostic tool.
The
generally accepted practice is that, during WSIB hearings, opinion evidence
from psychologists and psychiatrists is presented and the tribunal makes a
determination.
generally accepted practice is that, during WSIB hearings, opinion evidence
from psychologists and psychiatrists is presented and the tribunal makes a
determination.
“Our position
is that it would be preferable to have a diagnostic tool to facilitate these
processes,” Bain said. “That’s what we’ve been working on.”
is that it would be preferable to have a diagnostic tool to facilitate these
processes,” Bain said. “That’s what we’ve been working on.”
Earlier
this year, the Ontario Association of Police Services Boards, the umbrella
group for municipal policing boards across the province, objected to making
PTSD a presumptive workplace injury for police.
this year, the Ontario Association of Police Services Boards, the umbrella
group for municipal policing boards across the province, objected to making
PTSD a presumptive workplace injury for police.
Fred
Kaustinen, executive director of the association, said the government should
require all PTSD diagnoses in police personnel to be made by registered
psychiatrists or clinical psychologists.
Kaustinen, executive director of the association, said the government should
require all PTSD diagnoses in police personnel to be made by registered
psychiatrists or clinical psychologists.
A general
practitioner should not be qualified to diagnose PTSD, said Kaustinen, adding
he understands PTSD because he acquired the illness while serving in the army.
practitioner should not be qualified to diagnose PTSD, said Kaustinen, adding
he understands PTSD because he acquired the illness while serving in the army.
Province-wide
standards of diagnosis should be implemented to weed out possible misdiagnosis
or fraud, which can put financial stress on municipalities, he said.
standards of diagnosis should be implemented to weed out possible misdiagnosis
or fraud, which can put financial stress on municipalities, he said.
“We
recognize it (PTSD) is real and it’s extremely difficult, and also extremely
difficult to assess.”
recognize it (PTSD) is real and it’s extremely difficult, and also extremely
difficult to assess.”
Kaustinen
said police employers are concerned that the illness can be faked.
said police employers are concerned that the illness can be faked.
“What
I’ve heard from police chiefs is they get the family GP (general practitioner)
to write it up and then they use that to bridge into retirement,” Kaustinen
said. “Take a few years off early.”
I’ve heard from police chiefs is they get the family GP (general practitioner)
to write it up and then they use that to bridge into retirement,” Kaustinen
said. “Take a few years off early.”
David
McFadden, president of the Police Association of Ontario, said officers
suffering from PTSD want nothing better than to be treated quickly and get back
to work.
McFadden, president of the Police Association of Ontario, said officers
suffering from PTSD want nothing better than to be treated quickly and get back
to work.
He cited
the recent case of Peterborough-Lakefield tactical officer Keith
Calderwood, who was
shot multiple times, once by friendly fire, while carrying out a drug warrant
in Lindsay, Ont., on June 22, 2011.
the recent case of Peterborough-Lakefield tactical officer Keith
Calderwood, who was
shot multiple times, once by friendly fire, while carrying out a drug warrant
in Lindsay, Ont., on June 22, 2011.
Calderwood
got immediate psychological help along with physical assistance, and after
therapy is back at work doing light duties behind a desk.
got immediate psychological help along with physical assistance, and after
therapy is back at work doing light duties behind a desk.
“We as an
association were able to facilitate a psychologist to him right away,” McFadden
said. “We didn’t wait three or four days.”
association were able to facilitate a psychologist to him right away,” McFadden
said. “We didn’t wait three or four days.”
Calderwood
told the Star he was able to return to work because of early psychological
intervention.
told the Star he was able to return to work because of early psychological
intervention.
“I want
to return to the tactical squad,” he added.
ALSO ON THE STAR:
How the Ontario Provincial Police
deals with officers’ PTSD
to return to the tactical squad,” he added.
ALSO ON THE STAR:
How the Ontario Provincial Police
deals with officers’ PTSD
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