Aboriginal health: A study of 4000 Quebec Aboriginal people in 23 native communities and 3 cities reveals that the majority smoke tobacco and are overweight or obese. The interview-based study, carried out in 2002 by the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Committee, was released in September. It found that the rates of overweight and obesity were 52% among children, 42% for adolescents, 67% for adults and 71% for elders (people over 55). One-third of elders have diabetes. Parents reported that 47% of children had health problems. In addition, 51% of adolescents and 55% of adults smoke cigarettes, a 7% improvement between 1997 and 2002.
Legionnaires: Contaminated water in a 250-bed unit at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax has been confirmed as the cause of Legionnaires disease in 2 patients in 2005. Both patients died. According to Capital Health, an investigative team has concluded there is nothing that can be done to completely eliminate the Legionella bacterium from the water supply. Patients in that section of the hospital must drink bottled water and are bathed used a waterless system. A $70 000 pilot project will begin in November to try treating the water with chloramines. Results will be evaluated in January.— Donalee Mouton, Halifax
Breast cancer diagnosis falls: After steadily climbing since the 1980s, the breast cancer diagnosis rate started to fall in 2003 in the US. New data from the National Cancer Institute indicate the rate of breast cancer diagnosis fell from 137.3 per 100 000 women in 2001 to 124.2 in 2003. Institute spokesperson Brenda Edward said the decline is likely a result of several factors, including a peak in the use of mammography; stabilization in the number of women delaying childbearing; and a drastic decrease in the use of hormones after menopause. — Compiled by Barbara Sibbald, CMAJ