VISION study finds connection between cardiac blood test before surgery and adverse outcomes

January 7, 2020

A common cardiac blood test done before surgery can predict who will experience adverse outcomes after most types of surgery, says an international study led by Hamilton researchers. Globally, of the 200 million adults who undergo major surgery, 18 percent will experience serious cardiac and vascular complications including death within 30 days following their intervention, such as hip and knee replacements, bowel resections and abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Trust and social support important to heart health among Canadian First Nations: Study

December 20, 2019

A major study has found that Canadian First Nations communities with greater socio-economic advantages, educational opportunities, social support of family members and greater trust between community members, have lower cardiac risk factors. On the other hand, First Nations communities with difficulty accessing routine health care or affordable prescription medicines have a greater burden of cardiac risk factors.

Project to answer last wishes spreads successfully

November 15, 2019

New McMaster research has found a program that honours dying patients by fulfilling end of life wishes can be powerful, affordable and sustainable in many settings.

No need to cut down red and processed meat consumption

October 1, 2019

Most people can continue to eat red and processed meat as they do now. A major study led by researchers at McMaster and Dalhousie universities has found cutting back has little impact on health.

Gordon Guyatt to be inducted to Hamilton Gallery of Distinction

September 30, 2019

Gordon Guyatt, Distinguished University Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University, is one of six outstanding citizens to be named to the Hamilton Gallery of Distinction this year. The 2019 inductees include leaders in medicine, education, theatre, environmentalism, community improvement, mentorship and civic engagement. Each has made a lasting contribution to Hamilton.

Delegates from China’s National Healthcare Security Administration visit McMaster University

September 30, 2019

HEI’s Feng Xie hosted a delegation of senior policymakers led by Deputy Administrator Madame Tao Li from China’s National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA)

Hemophilia three times more prevalent than thought

September 10, 2019

More than 1,125,000 men around the world have the inherited bleeding disorder of hemophilia, and 418,000 of those have a severe version of the mostly undiagnosed disease, says a new study led by McMaster University researchers. This is three times what was previously known. Only 400,000 people globally were estimated to have the disorder which is caused by a defect in the F8 or F9 gene which encodes instructions for making the factor proteins that helps blood clot. For those with hemophilia, lack of treatment leads to chronic and disabling joint disease, while bleeding into organs and brain hemorrhages can lead to disability and death.

Younger Canadians more likely to try recreational cannabis

July 26, 2019

Nearly 1 in 5 Canadians may try cannabis or increase consumption of the drug after legalization for recreational use, according to research from McMaster University. Those more likely to do so are younger in age, have used cannabis in the past three months, have a higher income, and self-report their mental health as poor or fair.

Thabane named acting chair of HEI

July 2, 2019

Lehana Thabane has been appointed the acting chair of the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI) of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Critical care professor wins top national prize

May 23, 2019

Deborah Cook, a renowned McMaster University professor, researcher and physician, has been named the recipient of the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) Gold Leaf Prize for Impact.

Allergic to peanuts? You're better to avoid them

April 26, 2019

If you have a peanut allergy, avoiding them is safer than current therapies that desensitize people through gradual exposure by eating peanuts, according to research led by McMaster University.

Your postal code may influence your health

December 18, 2018

Where you live in Canada may play a role in your risk of major diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. Researchers at McMaster University have identified trends linking health and lifestyle factors like access to public transit, the variety of fresh fruits and vegetables in grocery stores, the prices of popular foods, the availability and prices of cigarettes and alcohol, and the promotion, or lack thereof, of healthy foods in restaurants.

Impairment rating of injured workers depends on the when and where of assessment

December 14, 2018

If you experience an injury at work, the amount of compensation you receive depends on which impairment rating system is used, according to research from McMaster University and the Netherlands. The American Medical Association (AMA) Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment is used in workers' compensation systems, federal systems, automobile accidents and personal injury cases to rate impairment.

Seventeen McMaster researchers included in 2018 Highly Cited Researchers list

November 28, 2018

McMaster Chair in Health Technology Management announced

November 15, 2018

A new research chair has been created and its first holder appointed as McMaster University looks to cement its place as a leader in health technology management. Jean-Éric Tarride is the inaugural McMaster Chair in Health Technology Management. He is an associate professor in the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI), and an associate member of the Department of Economics at McMaster.

Doctors told to give less oxygen in hospital

November 1, 2018

Physicians are being told to cut back routine oxygen therapy for hospital patients because the benefit is uncertain and there is clear harm. In particular, oxygen provides no benefit to patients with heart attacks or strokes with normal blood oxygen saturation. The recommendations come from a panel of international experts led by McMaster University researchers, and they have been published in the prestigious medical journal The BMJ.

Pass the salt: Study finds average consumption safe for heart health

August 9, 2018

New research shows that for the vast majority of individuals, sodium consumption does not increase health risks except for those who eat more than five grams a day, the equivalent of 2.5 teaspoons of salt. Fewer than five per cent of individuals in developed countries exceed that level.

Department of Medicine creates inaugural associate chair, equity and diversity

July 18, 2018

Study suggests psychotherapy beneficial for post-surgical pain

July 17, 2018

Psychotherapy for surgical patients is effective for reducing persistent pain and physical impairment, while simply providing education has no effect, suggests a study led by McMaster University researchers. Persistent post-surgical pain affects between 10 to 80 per cent of patients after common operations. In addition, surgical patients with psychological factors such as depression or anxiety are more likely to develop chronic pain.

Three McMaster health sciences professors join prestigious Order of Canada

June 29, 2018

Three Faculty of Health Sciences professors are among four McMaster University faculty members becoming members of the Order of Canada. Their appointments were announced today by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada. Andrea Baumann is the associate vice-president, global health for the Faculty of Health Sciences; Mohit Bhandari is a professor of surgery for the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine; and Jack Gauldie is a professor emeritus of the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine.

Seniors more likely to visit the ER after nurse's home care visit

April 30, 2018

Patients who received home care visits from nurses were more likely to visit the emergency department during the evening on the same day, particularly for non-urgent issues, according to new research from McMaster University.