All Resources

Responding to Alberta’s opioid crisis : public progress report

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On October 27, 2016, Alberta announced it was implementing a range of new tools to address overdoses and deaths related to fentanyl and other opioids as part of an urgent government response to... More ≫

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On October 27, 2016, Alberta announced it was implementing a range of new tools to address overdoses and deaths related to fentanyl and other opioids as part of an urgent government response to reduce the harms associated with opioid misuse. These reports from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health provide updates on Alberta’s actions in response to the opioid crisis.

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Review of deaths occurring in Alberta during the 2009 influenza pandemic

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In 2009, the World Health Organization declared the first influenza pandemic in 41 years. The new strain was named influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. In 2010, the Minister of Alberta Health and Wellness... More ≫

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In 2009, the World Health Organization declared the first influenza pandemic in 41 years. The new strain was named influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. In 2010, the Minister of Alberta Health and Wellness (AHW) asked the Health Quality Council of Alberta to conduct a comprehensive review of the Alberta response to A(H1N1)pdm09. As part of this review, it was noted that Alberta had a higher mortality rate for than other provinces, but provincial differences in surveillance methods made inter-provincial comparisons difficult to interpret. In response to questions raised through the review, AHW committed to undertake a review of reported deaths to determine the role A(H1N1)pdm09 played in the death. This report presents the findings of the review.

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HIV-positive individuals who are unwilling or unable to prevent the spread of HIV in Alberta

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Individuals diagnosed as HIV-positive and who are unable or unwilling to take appropriate steps to prevent the potential transmission of HIV to others are referred to as Unwilling/Unable (U2)... More ≫

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Individuals diagnosed as HIV-positive and who are unable or unwilling to take appropriate steps to prevent the potential transmission of HIV to others are referred to as Unwilling/Unable (U2) individuals. This report intends to facilitate and strengthen dialogue among all stakeholder organizations to collectively address the needs of U2 individuals, support the rights and dignity of all people, and protect the population from the spread of HIV. The report sets out some of the legal tools that may be used when necessary under the Public Health Act to protect the health of others, and provides a brief summary of the criminal law and the way in which it can be used. The report ends with some recommendations for future action to better address the needs of U2 individuals while improving prevention strategies, strengthening coordination between stakeholders, and better coordinating the use of various measures including the appropriate use of legal tools when necessary.

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Tuberculosis in Alberta surveillance report 2010 to 2012

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This report from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health presents a detailed review of active tuberculosis in Alberta over a three-year period from 2010 to 2012. It follows previous... More ≫

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This report from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health presents a detailed review of active tuberculosis in Alberta over a three-year period from 2010 to 2012. It follows previous surveillance reports of tuberculosis in Alberta for 2000-2004 and 2005-2009.

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Youth binge drinking in Alberta

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This report by Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health looks at the issue of heavy episodic drinking -- or “binge drinking” -- by young people in Alberta. It starts by defining binge drinking... More ≫

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This report by Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health looks at the issue of heavy episodic drinking -- or “binge drinking” -- by young people in Alberta. It starts by defining binge drinking and identifying who is at risk, and explaining why the government should be concerned about this social problem. It then looks at possible actions the government could take to address the problem, including brief interventions, municipal partnerships and increased alcohol taxation. It ends with four recommendations for action.

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Let's talk about aging : aging well in Alberta : report

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Older Albertans are the fastest growing age group in the province. This report is intended to bring light to the diverse experiences of aging in Alberta and to change the way people think and feel... More ≫

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Older Albertans are the fastest growing age group in the province. This report is intended to bring light to the diverse experiences of aging in Alberta and to change the way people think and feel about aging. It is also meant to challenge perceptions of what it means to grow older. Topics covered include the challenges of aging, creating age-friendly communities, and what to do in the future to help the elderly in Alberta.

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Lead and drinking water from lead service lines

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This guidance package provides information on safe levels of lead in drinking water, how to test lead levels, and actions that should be taken by water utility companies, residents, Alberta Health... More ≫

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This guidance package provides information on safe levels of lead in drinking water, how to test lead levels, and actions that should be taken by water utility companies, residents, Alberta Health Services, and healthcare providers when the amount of lead in drinking water is found to be at unsafe levels.

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Tuberculosis surveillance report Alberta 2005 to 2009, with preliminary summary 2010

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This report from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health is the latest in a series of annual reports of tuberculosis control in Alberta. It spans the five-year period from 2005 to 2009,... More ≫

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This report from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health is the latest in a series of annual reports of tuberculosis control in Alberta. It spans the five-year period from 2005 to 2009, and as such allows both a longitudinal and current view of key measures of tuberculosis control in the province.

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Waterpipe smoking in Alberta

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Waterpipes, commonly referred to as hookah, shisha and narghile, can have health effects similar to cigarette use and can lead to increased risks from exposure to carbon monoxide, exposure to... More ≫

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Waterpipes, commonly referred to as hookah, shisha and narghile, can have health effects similar to cigarette use and can lead to increased risks from exposure to carbon monoxide, exposure to second hand smoke and tobacco addiction. This report from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health looks at the problems associated with waterpipe smoking, trends in the use of waterpipes in Canada, and current actions being taken in Canada and in Alberta. It ends with a recommendation that Alberta begin work on amending the Tobacco Reduction Act to prohibit the use of waterpipe smoking in public places, workplaces and within 5 meters from the doorway, window or air intake to a public place or workplace.

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The state of dental health in Alberta : a brief report

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The purpose of this report is to briefly review topics around the potential public health benefits of dental health care. The report was commissioned by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of... More ≫

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The purpose of this report is to briefly review topics around the potential public health benefits of dental health care. The report was commissioned by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and prepared by the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta. Topics covered include: the prevalence and impacts of poor dental health to Canadians at the individual and population level; the dental health practices and insurance coverage of Canadians; policy and program initiatives that have been implemented locally, provincially, and nationally to address the issue of dental health promotion and oral health care coverage; and trends and gaps in knowledge around dental health care.

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