From longer ambulance offload times to what ‘privatizing’ healthcare means for patients, Unity Health experts offered insights this week into our rapidly changing world. Here are our top media hits from August 20-26.  

Rushed to hospital, stuck in an ambulance: Why it’s taking longer to hand off patients to hospitals in Ontario
Toronto Star on Aug 26, 2022
Interview with Dr. Andrew Petrosoniak

The increase in ambulance offload times over the past three years is a sign that emergency departments are struggling to keep up with demand, says Dr. Andrew Petrosoniak, emergency physician at St. Michael’s.

Ontario mulls private solutions for public health-care crises
CBC Front Burner on Aug. 23, 2022
Interview with Dr. Danyaal Raza

Dr. Danyaal Raza, family physician at St. Michael’s, explains to the CBC Front Burner podcast how privatization of health care delivery in Ontario works and why there are concerns it could leave some patients behind.

New report highlights food insecurity in Canada
CTV Morning Live Vancouver on Aug. 22, 2022
Interview with Dr. Naheed Dosani

A new report finds nearly one in six households in Canada experiences food insecurity. Dr. Naheed Dosani tells CTV Vancouver that raising income supports and benefits for low-income Canadians can help solve the problem.

Knowing your status, education key to fighting AIDS, experts say
CBC Nova Scotia on Aug. 21, 2022
Interview with Dr. Sean Rourke

The federal government recently announced $17.9 million to expand HIV testing, with $8 million going toward HIV self-testing kits. Dr. Sean Rourke, scientist at the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, explains to CBC Nova Scotia how the investment is a “game changer.”

‘It’s bad’: Opioids killed more Ontarians in second year of pandemic than first
The Canadian Press on Aug. 23, 2022
Interview with Dr. Tara Gomes

Dr. Tara Gomes, epidemiologist at Unity Health, tells The Canadian Press that the number of opioid-related deaths per day in Ontario is roughly double what it was before the pandemic.

Also in CBC Toronto.

Ontario expands monkeypox vaccine eligibility to more LGBTQ people, sex workers
The Canadian Press on Aug. 25, 2022
Interview with Dr. Aaron Orkin

‘It’s really much more challenging for someone who’s homeless than somebody who’s independently housed.’ Dr. Aaron Orkin, emergency physician at St. Joseph’s, explains why people experiencing homelessness should be prioritized for the monkeypox vaccine.