Kingsville Times

It was surprising news in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. There’s another about-turn among scientists studying hormone therapy (HT) as a treatment for symptoms of menopause. This time, researchers have produced findings that suggest benefits to healthy women who start HT early in the transition to menopause. Women have long […]

Mickey Mantle, former star of the New York Yankees baseball team, often remarked, “If I knew I was going to live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself.” He was only 63 when he died. Now, with many of us getting a good chance to live beyond 100, […]

As temperatures start to climb, the Ontario government is encouraging people across the province to take precautions to prevent tick bites and reduce the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses when enjoying the outdoors. While ticks are most active in spring and summer, they can be found during […]

The University of Windsor and Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) are pleased to announce that three (3) new Canada Research Chairs focused on public health have been approved for federal funding, which will allow for the University to recruit leading public health experts to the Windsor-Essex region. Since the announcement […]

How important is what I like to call the “Total Family Doctor” (TFD)? For years, I’ve praised the hardworking family doctor for the role he or she plays in medical care. Now, many North Americans say it’s impossible to find a family doctor.  What has happened to them? Prior to […]

Nurses at Windsor Regional were honoured this week to recognize nursing excellence and continuing education efforts. Winners of the Jeanne Mance Extraordinary Nursing Care Awards go to a nurse who continually goes above and beyond to provide compassionate and professional care to patients and exemplifies teamwork, compassion, stewardship and respect. […]

Over 65 brain tumour researchers, doctors, survivors, volunteers and families gathered on May 11th at the Centre for Research Excellence (CORe) at the University of Windsor to tour the tumour research laboratory to learn first-hand about brain tumour research happening locally. May is Brain Tumour Awareness Month in Canada which […]

Why do some women shy away from sex? It might be fatigue after a long day where everything, everything, has gone wrong. But before men jump to conclusions, they should know about a disease called endometriosis. This problem causes severe pain during sex.  It occurs in about 10 percent of […]

When asked how to become a famous comedian, Steve Martin replied, “Be so good they can’t ignore you.” It’s true, bad performers can usually be ignored. But there’s no ignoring bad public washrooms. Public washrooms have a reputation for abysmal filth, as evidenced by dirty toilets, overflowing trash, empty or […]

It’s tick season and the little pests are out with a vengeance. Tiny as they are, ticks are a huge nuisance and a hazardous vector of disease. Their ability to latch onto unsuspecting hosts has made them one of the most successful blood-sucking parasites on the planet. Ticks are the […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) Board of Health is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Mehdi Aloosh as the region’s new Acting Medical Officer of Health (Acting MOH), effective May 1. Dr. Aloosh brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position as a public health and […]

You may be forgiven if you are unfamiliar with Aquaman, a superhero who breathes underwater, communicates with sea creatures, and possesses superhuman strength and agility. But revisit past columns if you haven’t learned that fish are the real superheroes. Why? Because when mere mortals consume fish, their bodies gain extraordinary […]

We’re looking for your feedback on our programs and services. Your input will help us improve how we support the health of our community. If you haven’t done our survey yet, you can find it online here. The purpose of this survey is to help the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit […]

How long has this column recommended a high-fiber diet? Since March 1978 when readers were informed that processed foods create a “slow assembly line” in the bowels. Now some of the world’s most highly regarded nutritional scientists at Imperial College London say dietary fiber is “the best health advice of […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit will be closed to the public on Friday, April 7 and Monday, April 10 on the Easter weekend. Website: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Phone: 519-258-2146 Facebook:  Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Instagram: thewechu  Twitter: WEC Health Unit YouTube: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

The routine of modern-day life for most of us involves regular trips to the grocery store and three meals a day. The regular patterns of our diet can be a source of comfort or a rushed necessity. But is eating the same familiar foods – often the same recipes, products, […]

On Tuesday, March 21, 2023 members of the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) ratified a new four-year funding agreement with the Government of Ontario. The changes in this agreement are based on the best available clinical evidence and expert opinion for providing people appropriate eye care, as well as the […]

Erie Shores HealthCare is pleased to announce the launch of a second Emergency Department Wait Time Clock to help patients make informed decisions about their healthcare needs. The new clock will display the expected wait time for the Rapid Assessment Zone (RAZ) within the Emergency Department. Erie Shores is one of […]

The law of gravity means our bodies are pulled down to Earth. This fact inevitably spells trouble over time. But for some women, it causes inconvenient and annoying issues, and sometimes surgery, to address what’s called vaginal prolapse. Not all women are born equal. Some inherit tougher pelvic tissues and […]

Main Street Pharmacy is on-site today and over the weekend at the Kingsville Legion with the Windsor Essex Ontario Health Team Mobile Medical Clinic. Come in for primary and acute care needs provided by an amazing team of nurse practitioners and nurses. Friday, March 24 9 a.m. -4 p.m. Saturday, […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Warns Community of Rising Cases of Pertussis (Whooping Cough) in the Region The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) is urging individuals to keep themselves up to date with the pertussis vaccine after a recent dramatic rise of cases in the region. Since November 1, 2022, […]

It’s an age-old problem, but not one that should come with age. Yet, compared to younger culinary novices, elderly people may be more prone to making mistakes in food preparation that can lead to food poisoning. Kitchens can be a dangerous place. So no harm in having a refresher to […]

In a letter to the editor of the Journal of Paris in 1784, Benjamin Franklin wrote, “Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” In his advocacy for people to wake up and leverage the day, Franklin joked there should be a tax on window […]

A pop-up clinic will  be taking place March 10, 2023 at the Leamington Office of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit. The clinic will offer COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines for those 5 years old and up. No appointment is needed. Date: Friday, March 10 Time: 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm Location: […]

People often ask me, what’s my secret to a long and healthy life? This week, I start my 100th trip around the sun. So I must acknowledge that Lady Luck has been on my side. But it’s not just good luck, or good genes. As a medical doctor, I learned early […]

Did you or someone you know borrow a radon detector test kit this past year? The Windsor Essex County Health Unit and Essex County Library are asking you to take a few minutes to complete this survey https://chkmkt.com/radonsurvey The survey is anonymous and will take less than 5 minutes to […]

March is National Nutrition Month and this year, Dietitians across Canada are calling on Canadians to unlock the potential of food by finding a dietitian. Understanding nutrition and developing food skills can be intimidating for many, but eating well doesn’t necessarily mean giving up your favourite foods. This March, the […]

Vitamin D is often referred to as the “sunshine vitamin.” This is because it is synthesized in our skin in response to sunlight. The beauty of Vitamin D is that it’s free – a great model for “all things in moderation” too. There are two main forms of vitamin D: […]

This month marks twenty years since the Gifford-Jones newspaper column became accompanied by a “medical update” sent by email to subscribing readers. In early February 2003, the column printed in newspapers was titled, “My E-Mail Nightmare”. It began like this: My daughter said, “Dad don’t do it. You don’t need […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit will be closed to the public on Monday, February 20, 2023 for Family Day. Website: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Phone: 519-258-2146 Facebook:  Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Instagram: thewechu  Twitter: WEC Health Unit YouTube: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

In healthcare, it’s the elusive breakthrough to a cure for diseases like cancer that has us all hoping. But sometimes it’s the bit-by-bit advancements, rarely getting headings, that make for greater impact.  An example is the field of 3D printing, not even a medical technology by inception, but now a […]

Our network will be undergoing scheduled maintenance on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 8 p.m. which will include www.wechu.org. All network resources should be back up and running at 9 p.m. We apologize for any inconvenience. Website: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Phone: (519) 258-2146 Facebook: Windsor-Essex County HEALTH UNIT Twitter: WEC […]

No one in our family has ever needed to cling to a telephone pole on the way home after drinking too much alcohol. Rather, we have long held that moderate amounts of alcohol can be healthy. But are we right? Now, a new Canadian report claims more than one or […]

As part of the continued work to prevent the spread of vaccine preventable diseases, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) completed a review of all elementary student immunization records in December and more than 12,000 students received a notice. These students were either overdue for one or more vaccines required […]

You may have preconceived ideas that magic mushrooms are the party drugs of days past. However, in Canada and other countries, regulations are starting to ease on these prohibited psychedelics. The impetus stems from clinical trials showing remarkable results in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and treatment-resistant depression. The question […]

Businesses, residents, and agencies are invited to have their say at Virtual Town Halls ahead of the opening of the Consumption and Treatment Services Site. In preparation for the launch of the Consumption and Treatment Service (CTS) Site, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU), in partnership with the CTS Stakeholder […]

What is one of the most common health problems that develops in people as they age, and also one of the least discussed? The answer is chronic swelling of the legs. At best, it’s a natural consequence of aging. But also known as peripheral edema, there can be medical, nutritional, […]

At the meeting held on Thursday, January 19, 2023, Councillor Fabio Costante was elected as the new chair of the region’s Board of Health. As a returning member and City of Windsor Ward 2 Councillor, Costante brings experience and expertise to a board of health which welcomes several new members. […]

Investments will connect people in Windsor-Essex with more cancer and cardiac treatment close to home As the Ontario government accelerates the timeline to build the new Windsor Regional Hospital, it is investing approximately $30 million in the current hospital to connect people with improved treatments for patients with cancer and […]

Ontario is making it easier and faster for people to access the publicly-funded surgeries and procedures they need by using community-based clinics to eliminate surgical backlogs and reduce wait times. The three-step plan will: • Add 14k more OHIP-insured cataract surgeries each year • Expand community-based clinics to perform more […]

A Moroccan proverb claims, “If a man leaves little children behind him, it is as if he did not die.” A Sanskrit saying translates as, “A house without children is only a cemetery.” Having children may be central to sustained human life. But over the past several years, there has […]

It’s been said that parents should be nice to their children. “After all, they are going to choose your nursing home.” So it is punishment or reward when children choose to help their parents stay living in their own homes? Some lifestyle choices are clear as night and day. Don’t […]

What should we conclude when health experts say people over 45 should not shovel snow? That’s a young age! What could be so threatening about clearing the snow to people in the prime of life? A winter storm may inspire some to curl up under a blanket. But for others, […]

As we head into 2023, we wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year! If you are out celebrating New Year’s Eve, please be safe – plan for a ride, have a designated driver, or stay the night. Reminder: We will be closed to the public December 30 through January […]

Spread the word! Starting January 1, 2023 pharmacies can be your one-stop shop to get prescriptions for some of the most common ailments such as pink eye, rashes, insect bites, and urinary tract infections, at no extra cost. Skipping the doctor’s office visit gives you more convenient options to access […]

As 2022 comes to a close, grave existential questions loom. Is the doomsday clock ticking louder? Have we harmed our planetary home beyond repair? Is the global economy headed for collapse, or will a reckless war end all things? These are some of the debates that friends and families will […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit will be closed to the public on: Friday, December 23 Monday, December 26 Tuesday, December 27 Friday, December 30 Monday, January 2 Website: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Phone: 519-258-2146 Facebook:  Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Instagram: thewechu  Twitter: WEC Health Unit YouTube: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

The holiday season is a time for gathering amongst family and friends, which heightens the risk for transmission of respiratory illness. In previous years, the region has experienced large spikes in COVID-19 activity in the month of January. In this regard, WECHU is strongly encouraging residents to help prevent the […]

COVID-19, Cold, and Flu Care Clinics are available at Erie Shores HealthCare and Windsor Regional Hospital. The clinics test, assess and provide treatment for people with COVID-19, and other cold and flu-like illness An appointment is required. Book with Erie Shores HealthCare Book with Windsor Regional Hospital

There’s a lot of “stuff” this time of year – the stuffing in the turkey, for example, or all the meaningless commercial stuff we buy for the holidays that ends up in landfills. The holidays are a good time to look around and assess what is good stuff and what […]

What a wonderful world if people could be as generous to humankind as dogs. Regardless of our faults, dogs provide unfailing loving care. A new study suggests dogs may be able to use their sniffing powers to know when someone is having a really bad day. Who knew there is […]

Elementary School Students with Out-of-Date Immunization Records Risk Being Suspended in March The Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) R.S.O.1990 requires all students in Ontario to be up-to-date on immunizations. Public health units are to maintain and review vaccine records for every student attending school in their region and those […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit will be closed on Friday, December 9 starting at 1 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Website: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Phone: 519-258-2146 Facebook:  Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Instagram: thewechu  Twitter: WEC Health Unit YouTube: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

Can you improve muscle mass even as you age? As Mickey Mantle, star player of the New York Yankees, remarked, “If I knew I was going to live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself.” Such is my worry in my 99th year. I was recently having more difficulty […]

Rising numbers of respiratory illness and COVID cases are prompting Erie Shores HealthCare to launch the COVID Cold & Flu Care Clinic. The Clinic will treat individuals suffering from moderate cold, flu or COVID-like symptoms. The Clinic, an expansion of the former COVID Clinical Assessment Centre, will allow patients who […]

This week entails a visit to the Gifford-Jones archives.  What follows is an excerpt from a column on diabetes published thirty years ago. What has changed in society? You be the judge. November 1992: Diabetes results from an abnormal handling of food by the body. Normally some food is converted […]

It’s recommended to test your home for #radon during the fall and winter months when homes are closed to the outdoors. Purchase a long-term test kit or borrow a short-term test device from any open branch of the Essex County Library. Radon – the only way to know your level […]

Wandering poorly prepared into a discussion about video games is ill-advised. Yet, people who don’t play video games commonly argue that long hours spent focused on digital playthings, especially by children, rot their brains. It is an uninformed point of view. There are plentiful misconceptions about video games. That label […]

Our network will be undergoing scheduled maintenance on Wednesday, November 16 at 4:30 p.m. which will include www.wechu.org. All network resources should be back up and running at 7:30 p.m. We apologize for any inconvenience. Website: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Phone: (519) 258-2146 Facebook: Windsor-Essex County HEALTH UNIT Twitter: WEC […]

Due to updated federal and provincial guidance related to the importance of masking indoors, issued in response to an autumn surge in respiratory illnesses, the County of Essex is again implementing a masking policy in its facilities. Effective 8 a.m. Tuesday, medical grade surgical masks will be required in County […]

An old Irish proverb says, “A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book.” But research suggests it would be wiser to think of good sleep as an ingredient of wellbeing – a starting point for health, not a fixer-upper. Sleep is an essential […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit will be closed to the public on Friday, November 11 for Remembrance Day. Website: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Phone: 519-258-2146 Facebook:  Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Instagram: thewechu  Twitter: WEC Health Unit YouTube: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

Beware the “silent thief of sight.” Glaucoma sneaks up on people causing irreparable vision loss before diagnosis. Over 3 million North Americans have glaucoma – about half don’t know it. For society, the economic and social consequences of stolen sight is large. For sufferers, when glaucoma progresses to blindness, it […]

Windsor-Essex Residents Encouraged to Get Vaccinated As local healthcare leaders, we are united in our concern about the trend of respiratory illnesses in Windsor and Essex County. Relative to previous years, the seasonal flu virus is spreading more quickly and aggressively and our COVID-19 vaccination rates continue to lag behind […]

How many readers still neglect to reduce their risk of heart attack? Can’t cut the sugar and salt? Still addicted to tobacco? Must have those harmful fatty foods, and moderate exercise is just too tough? This column has been like a broken record repeating the same song for years. “If you […]

The number and duration of Code Blacks has declined from crisis levels since the County of Essex declared a local emergency in response to escalating ambulance offload delays. We are continuing to work with our regional hospital partners and the Province on long-term solutions to address the systemic issues that […]

Loneliness is worse for health than obesity – as bad as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It can increase the risk of death by 26 percent and of cognitive decline on the way. But a recent story on the Good News Network offered a heart-warming take on loneliness among older […]

WINDSOR, ON. _ Windsor Regional Hospital is continuing to experience higher than normal patient volumes, which contribute to off-load delays for local paramedics and most importantly, delay our ability to admit patients into our hospital from our emergency departments. These challenges continue to strain our staff despite having close to […]

The iconic Marvin The Martian from Looney Tunes, frustrated by Bugs Bunny in his efforts to blow up Earth, would quickly walk away declaring, “You make me very, very angry.” He offered kids an entertaining lesson in how to handle heated confrontations. A refresher course for adults would be a […]

Following a systematic and thorough search the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) Board of Health has named a new permanent Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Ken Blanchette. Ken previously served as the Associate Vice President (Academic) and Chair of Health Sciences at St. Clair College, and more recently as the […]

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare at an astounding pace. Vantage Market Research, an American firm specializing in emerging markets, estimates the global AI market in health will climb from US$6.6 billion in 2021 to US$95.7 billion by 2028. That’s an astounding 46.1% compound annual growth. What’s does this mean […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit will be closed to the public on Thanksgiving Day, Monday October 10. Website: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Phone: 519-258-2146 Facebook:  Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Instagram: thewechu  Twitter: WEC Health Unit YouTube: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

What’s the most absurd image of healthy living? It’s a picture of a young woman using a leaf blower to clean up leaves in her yard while wearing ear protection, eye protection, and a mask covering her nose and mouth. The only thing that makes good sense is the mask. […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit will be closed to the public on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Friday, September 30. Website: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Phone: 519-258-2146 Facebook:  Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Instagram: thewechu  Twitter: WEC Health Unit YouTube: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

Ontario Health Minister Praises Innovative Community Health Care Programs in Windsor-Essex ESSEX, ON — Sylvia Jones, Ontario’s Minister of Health and Deputy Premier, met with health care workers in Essex County Monday to learn more about new and innovative programs and to cut the ribbon on a multi-purpose medical vehicle that […]

It’s a despicable human who preys on people to defraud them of money. What kind of sickness drives a person to such lows? It’s a sad fact that every year, millions of seniors fall victim to fraud. They are prime targets because they tend be trusting, have savings and good […]

A Windsor-Essex County (WEC) resident has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). This marks the first clinically diagnosed and lab-confirmed human case for 2022 in our region. WNV is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito that has fed on birds that carry the virus. […]

Now and again, friends confide in friends that they have big problems. Dreaded are the occasions when the problem is a serious medical diagnosis. But when the problem is persistent constipation, it’s better to air the issue and not suffer in silence. Drug store remedies for constipation can fail to […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit will be closed to the public on Monday, September 19. This will be a day to mark the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II and reflect on her life contributions. Website: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Phone: 519-258-2146 Facebook:  Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Instagram: thewechu  Twitter: […]

Acting under the authority of  Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (1990), the Windsor Essex County Health Unit announced yesterday that it had suspended 1519 secondary school students due to out of date immunization records. The Act requires parents to provide their local health unit with proof of their child’s […]