The Health Innovation Roundup, sponsored by Health Cities, is written and published weekly by Taproot Edmonton to bring you the latest news and events in research, technology, companies and people changing health for the better in Edmonton.

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Here are some highlights from this week’s Health Innovation Roundup:

Headlines

        • The Edmonton Zone Medical Staff Association put up memorials in 76 neighbourhoods throughout Edmonton to mark Opioid Memorial Weekend, Oct. 15 to 17. People in Ponoka and Wetaskiwin were also encouraged to place memorials to commemorate deaths related to opioid poisoning.
        • School of Public Health professor Sherilee Harper was recognized by the International Science Council with its 2021 Early Career Scientist Award. Harper’s research team works with Indigenous communities in Canada, Uganda, and Peru to document and manage the health effects of climate change.
        • Applications are open for the second intake for the Women in STEM scholarship, which will provide a total of $ 125,000 to female students pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The deadline to apply is Dec. 31.
        • Pharmaceutical knowledge database DrugBank announced it has expanded its drug products and indications coverage to Singapore.
        • A team from the U of A’s ophthalmology department tested the effectiveness of virtual reality tools to increase physician empathy for patients with chronic vision loss. The results were published in the Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology.
        • Three Albertans received the Glenrose Courage Award from the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in recognition of their perseverance in therapy. The recipients will be honoured during a virtual ceremony on Nov. 24.
        • An Angus Reid survey among Albertans found that 53% of respondents linked worsening mental health to tightening finances, higher than the national rate of 40%.
        • Albertans can now book flu shots online or by calling 811, with appointments starting on Oct. 18 at participating pharmacies and public health clinics. Last year, 37% of Albertans were immunized. This year, the province has ordered 2.1 million doses of influenza vaccine.
        • Folio spoke with Larissa Brosinsky, a counselling psychology PhD student, who is getting on-the-job experience at the U of A’s Clinical Services on North Campus, which reopened in September to provide limited low-cost, in-person counselling and psychological assessments to the Edmonton community.

Events

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