September

Despite numerous studies confirming the benefits and safety of fluoridation, there remains considerable opposition to this important public health measure. In BC only 11% of homes have fluoridated water. Due to unfounded fears about its harmful effects, some communities have stopped water fluoridation and subsequently experienced an increase in incidences of tooth decay.

References

In Canada, more deaths occur from adverse events in hospitals than from breast cancer, motor vehicle accidents, and AIDS combined,[1] and many of these adverse events have been judged preventable.[2] Every day, thousands of errors occur in the Canadian health care system. Fortunately, most do not result in serious harm. Only a small proportion of these errors cause injury, disability, or death and are brought to public attention.

References

In 1981 AIDS was first recognized in North America. Twenty-five years later, much scientific knowledge has been gained, and significant medical advances have been realized. I was a first-year medical student in 1981 and the word “AIDS” started as a whisper in the corridor of the hospitals. By the time I graduated an infectious etiology for AIDS had been confirmed, and with it emerged the hysteria, prejudice, and ignorance regarding its contagiousness.

For some strange and uncomfortable reason, likely part of an inexorable maturation process, I finally understand the importance of the freedoms many of our forefathers risked their lives to defend.

Our basic freedoms in this country are enshrined in constitutional law as the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I think I’m correct in assuming that the majority of us know that the Charter guarantees every Canadian wide-ranging freedom to choose.

It looks, from your resume, like you’ve moved quite a lot.

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