High Blood Pressure Rates Still Very High, Particularly For Some Ethnic Groups, Warns Heart And Stroke Foundation
Those of South Asian or Black descent are three times more likely to be hypertensive
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2008/19/c9206.html?view=print

TORONTO, May 19 /CNW/ - A recent study by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario warns that blood pressure rates represent a significant risk to the general population and are particularly high in key ethnic groups. Results from a new study, the Ontario Survey on the Prevalence and Control of Hypertension (ON-BP) were published today in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ).

The study by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and Statistics Canada found that in 2006, nearly 1.5 million or 21% of Ontarians are living with hypertension. Of these, more than 500,000 Ontarians were suffering from uncontrolled high blood pressure.

"Approximately 1 in 4 men and 1 in 5 women aged 20 to 79 were found to have hypertension, with the rate increasing by age," says Dr. Frans Leenen, University of Ottawa Heart Institute and the study's principal investigator.

"Among those aged 60 to 79 years, for example, 52% were hypertensive." Moreover, the study found the risk is not equally distributed among all Ontarians: those of South Asian or Black descent are three times more likely to be hypertensive than the general population and are likely to develop it at a younger age.

"Knowing that hypertension rates are on the rise due to an aging and diverse population is an important wake-up call for all Canadians, including health care providers," says Dr. Sheldon Tobe, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario spokesperson. "Hypertension contributes significantly to cardiovascular and renal disease morbidity, mortality and health care costs. We must continue working towards not only improved treatment but more effective prevention."
The Ontario Survey on the Prevalence and Control of Hypertension (ON-BP), is the first Canadian population-based study to measure blood pressures and to determine hypertension rates among some of the most common ethnic groups in Canada (South Asians, East Asians and Blacks). It is also the first study since the Canadian Heart Health Survey in the early 1990s to actually measure blood pressures, rather than relying upon participant's self-reports. The study involved 2551 Ontarians aged 20 to 79 years in 16 communities, with the results weighted to reflect the population of Ontario.

Ethnic diversity

Although ethnic differences in hypertension rates have been demonstrated in the United States for some time, ON-BP is the first study to provide clear evidence concerning ethnic Canadians. In ON-BP, East Asians had the lowest rate of hypertension (19%) whereas South Asians and Blacks had the highest (30% and 31%, respectively). They also develop hypertension at a younger age - nearly 50% of blacks have already developed hypertension in their 40s and 50s. In comparison, the general population (primarily Caucasians) had a 21% hypertension rate.

"For some time the Foundation has been working on strategies to provide culturally-appropriate heart health information," comments Margaret Moy Lum Kwong, Director, High Blood Pressure Strategy, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. "These new findings reinforce that we're on the right track. Something must be done if, as a society, we are to ensure that all Canadians benefit equally from advances in hypertension prevention, diagnosis and management. If we stop this unprecedented effort, we cannot expect these results to continue. The epidemic of uncontrolled hypertension will only get worse."

Improvements in treatment and control

Over the past decade, the Foundation, in partnership with the Ontario Ministries of Health and Health Promotion, has devoted extensive resources to public and professional education on hypertension prevention, diagnosis and management. Initiatives have included online consumer tools such as the Blood Pressure Action Plan(TM), resources designed to support best practices in hypertension diagnosis and management for family physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, community pharmacists and patients in primary care, and promotion of the Canadian guidelines on hypertension management. Results from the ON-BP suggest that these efforts are paying off handsomely. In the early 1990s, only 12% of hypertensives in Ontario were both treated and controlled. In contrast in 2006, ON-BP found the rate had increased more than five-fold. The proportion of hypertensives treated and controlled did not differ significantly by ethnic group, being 66% overall with modest variations across ethnic groups.

"This rate of hypertension treatment and control is much higher than that reported in the United States in 2003/04," says Dr. George Fodor, University of Ottawa Heart Institute and the study's co-principal investigator, "and we suspect it may be one of the highest in the world. This is excellent news and reflects the consistent and significant efforts made in educating and supporting both healthcare practitioners and patients in pharmacological and non-pharmacological blood pressure management."

There's something lurking in the soil this gardening season - and most Canadians don't know it's there!

-National survey shows 30 per cent of Canadians are not protected against tetanus and more than half aren't aware that tetanus bacteria are found in soil-

OTTAWA, May 12 /CNW/ - With the May long weekend just over, many Canadians are gearing up for gardening season! But those who have not had a tetanus booster in the last 10 years could be putting themselves at risk of contracting this serious, potentially deadly disease. A recent Leger Marketing survey found that while most Canadians are aware of the tetanus shot, three in 10 said they have not received a tetanus shot in more than 10 years. To help people feel confident and protected while gardening this May long weekend, the Canadian Coalition for Immunization Awareness & Promotion (CCIAP) is calling on all Canadians to check their immunization records, and to visit their doctor or local clinic if they are due for a booster.

"Although most of us know about tetanus, and understand the importance of immunization, many people still don't realize that a booster dose is needed to keep their protection up," said Dr. Bonnie Henry, Chair of the Canadian Coalition for Immunization Awareness & Promotion. "This disconnect shows that there is still a great deal of work to be done in protecting Canadians from diseases like tetanus. The tetanus booster is safe, effective, and free for all Canadians; so there is really no reason why anyone should be unprotected."

Check Your Immunization Record

When asked about whether they had spoken to their physician or another healthcare professional about immunizations, only 42 per cent of Canadians said they had discussed immunization with their doctor in the past five years. These findings reinforce the results of another recent Leger survey, which found that six in 10 Canadian adults do not feel knowledgeable about immunizations that are recommended for adults.

"The numbers show that Canadians need access to information about immunization from many sources. It's important to be informed, ask questions, and keep a record, to ensure you stay protected over the long term," said Dr. Susan Bowles, Vice Chair of the Canadian Coalition for Immunization Awareness & Promotion. "With many Canadians kicking off the gardening season, the May long weekend is a great time to check your immunization record, and to visit your doctor or local clinic if you're due for a booster."

Digging Deeper: The Facts on Tetanus

Tetanus is an illness caused by a neurotoxin (or poison) made by bacteria that block normal control of nerve reflexes in the spinal column. The bacteria that make tetanus toxin are found naturally in soil, animal feces and dust, and can also be found in compost and packaged potting mixtures you may have in your garden. Tetanus bacteria usually enter the body through an open wound in the skin, such as the kind you can get by cutting yourself on sharp gardening tools or jagged objects buried in the dirt."

Roll Up Your Sleeves and Protect Yourself

Canadians should receive a tetanus booster shot every 10 years. Adults more than 60 years of age are at increased risk of tetanus infection as they may not have been immunized against the disease when they were younger, or they may have simply forgotten to keep their immunization up-to-date with a booster shot every 10 years. If you're not up-to-date, visit your doctor or local health clinic, and ask for a free tetanus booster. Immigrants to Canada may also be at risk as many would not have received tetanus immunization in their country of origin and should check whether they need to receive full immunization against tetanus.

To avoid contracting tetanus in the garden or other outdoor locations, follow these easy steps:

Ensure that your immunization is up-to-date Get a tetanus booster shot every 10 years Wear gloves, protective clothing and footwear while gardening If you are injured, clean wounds thoroughly and immediately with soap and warm water

Seniors 'Discover The Possibilities'
Ontario Government Kicks Off Seniors' Month

TORONTO, May 21 /CNW/ - Seniors can 'Discover the Possibilities' during this year's 24th annual Seniors' Month. The province has designated June as a time to recognize and celebrate the ongoing contributions seniors make to the province, their communities and their families. This year's theme - 'Discover the Possibilities' - was kicked off in Niagara-on-the-Lake with the launch of the SeniorsInfo.ca ( http://seniorsinfo.ca/ ) website. The website will make it easier for seniors to access local information, programs and services from all levels of government.

QUOTES
"This year's theme for Seniors' Month is 'Discover the Possibilities' and what better place for our kick-off event than in a library surfing the net," said Aileen Carroll, Ontario Minister of Culture and Minister Responsible for Seniors.

"We are very excited to join the Government of Ontario in its celebration of Seniors Month in Ontario", said Marie Smith, President of United Senior Citizens of Ontario. "Through the SeniorsInfo.ca network we continue making it easier for seniors to find the services and programs they need."

QUICK FACTS

• Today, 1.6 million seniors live in Ontario - 13 per cent of the population

• Seniors are the fastest growing segment of the population to use the Internet.

• SeniorsInfo.ca is an innovative website for seniors and their families that provides a single window of information offered by federal, provincial and municipal governments and local community agencies.

• Niagara-on-the-Lake is joining 28 other communities on the SeniorsInfo.ca network.

LEARN MORE

For information of interest to Ontario seniors and their families, visit www.seniorsinfo.ca
To see how the government is helping seniors, visit www.ontarioseniors.ca

Health Canada Finds 2,4-D Can Be Used Safely

OTTAWA, May 16 /CNW Telbec/ - Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) concluded its re-evaluation of the popular herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), finding that the herbicide can be used safely according to label directions for a variety of lawn, turf and agricultural applications.

In issuing the decision, the PMRA stated in its Information Note, "Health Canada also consulted an independent Science Advisory Panel comprised of government and university experts/researchers in toxicology, epidemiology and biology. The Panel agreed with Health Canada's assessment that 2,4-D can be used safely when used according to label directions, with some uses requiring additional protective measures."

Jim Gray, executive director of the Industry Task Force II on 2,4-D Research Data, said, "After reviewing an unprecedented depth of scientific data and expert panel reviews regarding the impact 2,4-D may have on children, adults, animals and the environment, Health Canada determined the herbicide meets all of Canada's pesticide health and safety regulations, which are among the toughest and most stringent in the world."

"These most recent findings by the PMRA are consistent with previous decisions made by authorities including the World Health Organization, European Commission, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and recent studies by the U.S. National Cancer Institute that deem 2,4-D to be a valuable and useful herbicide that does not pose human health or environmental risks when
used according to label instructions," Gray added. This conclusion supports the 2005 and 2007 draft assessments issued by PMRA which found that 2,4-D can be used safely on lawn, turf, agricultural, forestry and industrial sites, when label directions are followed.

Health Canada's decision and other resources pertaining to 2,4-D may be found at:
http://www.pmra-arla.gc.ca/english/consum/2,4-D-e.html

For more information about 2,4-D, visit http://www.24d.org  or call 1-800-345-5109.

About 2,4-D

2,4-D, one of the most widely used herbicides in North America and worldwide, is applied to crops such as wheat, corn, rice, soybeans, potatoes, sugar cane, pome fruits, stone fruits and nuts. It is also a component of herbicides used to protect turf grass from weeds and environmentally sensitive areas from invasive species.

A 2006 Assessment of the Economic and Related Benefits to Canada of Phenoxy Herbicides concluded that loss of 2,4-D in the agricultural sector would cost producers $321 million and the industrial infrastructure sector about $17.5 million. Loss of effective weed control for the home and professional turf goes beyond strict costs, (affecting the value of property resale by percent); but more importantly reducing the effectiveness of turf to filter pollutants, prevent soil erosion, improve water infiltration, moderate temperatures, and reduce noise.

Forum Brings Together Experts To Tackle Issue Of Aging Drivers

TORONTO, May 8 /CNW/ - Stakeholders from across the country converged on Toronto today for the Aging Driver Mobility Forum. The Forum addressed the challenges Ontario will face as the aging population puts more older drivers on Ontario's roads.

"Everybody ages differently and we don't want to send the message that all older drivers are dangerous, because it's simply not true," said Mark Yakabuski, President & CEO, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC). "Really, the problem we need to address is medically-at-risk drivers."

The Forum is sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, the Ontario Safety League, IBC and Ontario Seniors' Secretariat. Experts in medical reporting, driver licensing, road safety and social support are taking a comprehensive look at the issue of medically-at-risk drivers. Attendees aren't just concerned with keeping Canada's roads safe. They are discussing innovative ways to support medically-at-risk drivers and their families in maintaining mobility and quality of life.

"We know that mobility is important for aging drivers. This forum will help us understand how to meet the needs of aging drivers while keeping our roads safe," said Transportation Minister Jim Bradley.

There's little doubt that medically-at-risk drivers will be a growing problem in the years to come. As our population ages, medical problems like arthritis, heart disease, stroke and dementia will become more common. These ailments, and the prescription medications that many older Canadians take, can significantly impair driving ability.

Retired Or Planning To Retire ?
Take Control Now: Advice From Canadian Retirees To Those Next In Line

First TD Waterhouse Canadians and Retirement survey reveals state of retirement in Canada

• More than half (54%) of retirees say it's important to start saving early and make it a priority

• 59% urge pre-retirees to take the time now to understand what they want from retirement

• Majority (53%) advise pre-retirees to pay off debt before they retire

• Close to two-thirds recommend pre-retirees take care of physical and emotional health

TORONTO, May 12 /CNW/ - Start saving early, make saving a priority and pay off debts before you stop working, or you may not live your retirement dreams. This is the top advice from Canadian retirees in TD Waterhouse's first Canadians and Retirement survey, a national survey of retired people. The Canadians and Retirement survey polled retired Canadians from across the country to provide insight for the next generation of retirees. Of retired Canadians, 43% feel confident that they planned well and saved enough, but only 15% say they are completely living out their retirement dreams.

"This sends a clear message to pre-retirees: think about what you really want from retirement and start planning for the transition now," says Patricia Lovett-Reid, senior vice-president, TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. "Life may throw you curve balls along the way, whether it's the state of the markets or a major life event, but if you have a plan in place, you're in a much better position to react and make any necessary adjustments."

For many poll respondents, retirement wasn't exactly what they had imagined. They found adjusting to retired life challenging. The most difficult adjustment was no longer being defined by their work (25%), followed by not being able to do all the things they used to because of financial constraints (22%).

There are many lessons pre-retirees can learn from recent retirees about how to make the transition to retirement smoother. More than half (54%) of retired Canadians recommend pre-retirees develop a full life outside of work now instead of waiting until they retire. Nearly two-thirds (64%) urge pre-retirees to take care of their health - both physical and emotional - and more than half (54%) advise pre-retirees to start saving early.

Among the top advice from the majority (59%) of retirees was for pre-retirees to take time to really prepare for, and understand what they want from, this next phase of their lives. This includes envisioning what their day-to-day routine will look like in retirement and making adjustments to their lifestyle now that will help increase their satisfaction with that picture.

"A key lesson to be learned from today's retirees is the importance of setting goals and taking time to think about how one's retirement will unfold," says Lovett-Reid. "One-third of those we surveyed did not plan for their retirement at all. If more people planned for their retirement, more would be living out their retirement dreams."

"A retirement plan helps people answer important questions, such as whether or not they plan to continue working in retirement, where they'll be living, what their family responsibilities will be and what leisure activities they'll pursue," continues Lovett-Reid. "By understanding these key factors, people can then map out their income and expenses more accurately and create a personal retirement income plan."

Nearly two-thirds (62%) of Canadian retirees did not work with a professional to plan for their retirement. Forty-two percent reported feeling concerned that they may not have saved enough to live out the type of retirement they originally had in mind.

"What is key in building a retirement plan is that it must allow for varying income needs - and that is why it is so important to consult with a financial professional to ensure this financial flexibility is built in."

"The most important advice I have for those who haven't started planning for retirement is that it's never too late," concludes Lovett-Reid. "Once you take that first step, you're in a much better position to make well-informed decisions and, ultimately, take control of your retirement reality."

Other poll findings:

• When asked about the most fulfilling aspect of retirement, retirees point to simple pleasures with an equal number (26%) citing spending time with family and pursuing hobbies.

• Ontarians and Albertans are most likely to spend time volunteering in retirement (33% and 22% respectively), while Quebecers are least likely (12%).

• Men are more likely than women to work part-time in retirement (16% vs. 9%) and four times as likely as women to work on a consulting basis (8% vs. 2%).

• Women are more likely than men to report that they are not living their retirement dreams and that retirement has been very different from what they imagined (20% of women vs. 15% of men).

Juice 'prevents clogged arteries'
BBC NEWS
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7405566.stm

Juices made from apples or purple grapes - and the fruit themselves - protect against developing clogged arteries, a study suggests. Researchers fed hamsters the fruit and juice or water, plus a fatty diet. The animals who were fed grape juice had the lowest risk of developing artery problems, Molecular Nutrition and Food Research reports. The University of Montpellier team said the juice's benefits came from its high levels of phenols - an antioxidant. Antioxidants in various foods have been regularly cited as being beneficial to heart health. The French team looked at how juicing affected the phenol content of fruit - because most studies look at raw fruit.

Four glasses a day

They then looked at how being fed various kinds of fruit affected the hamsters' risk of atherosclerosis - the build-up of fatty plaque deposits in the arteries that can lead to heart attacks or strokes.

The amount of fruit the hamsters consumed was equivalent to three apples or three bunches of grapes daily for a human. Hamsters given juice drank the equivalent of four glasses daily for a person weighing 70 kilograms (154 pounds). The apples and grapes had about the same phenol content, while the purple grape juice had 2.5 times more phenols than apple juice.

Compared with animals given water, those given fruit or fruit juice had lower cholesterol levels, less oxidative stress, and less fat accumulation in their aorta, the main vessel supplying oxygenated blood to the body. Purple grape juice had the strongest effect, followed by purple grapes, apple juice and apples.

The researchers say their findings suggest the amount of phenols contained in a food have a direct effect on its antioxidant properties. Other antioxidant compounds in the fruits, such as vitamin C and carotenoids, could also contribute to their effects, they added. The team, led by Kelly Decorde, said their findings "provide encouragement that fruit and fruit juices may have a significant clinical and public health relevance."

A British nutritionist said: "High levels of antioxidants are recognised as being good for you."

Certified General Accountants Association Of Ontario Launches Grassroots Governance Guide For Non-Profit Sector

TORONTO, May 8 /CNW/ - Transparency and accountability are key factors to the success of non-profit organizations. Answering the call for a comprehensive reference tool for this sector, The Certified General Accountants of Ontario recently launched a new guide entitled Grassroots
Governance: Governance and the Non-Profit Sector.

Good governance practices are important to every economic sector. For small volunteer-driven non-profits, however, good governance is up close and personal. "This booklet covers good governance basics in plain language as well as many of the issues volunteers frequently ask to have addressed," says Michelle Causton, FCGA, author of the booklet. Grassroots Governance provides a great starting point for volunteers and board members who want information on good governance for their grassroots organization. Chiefly, the booklet addresses the top issues facing volunteer boards of directors. These include the role of volunteers in good governance, ways to balance transparency and accountability, and how to guide the organization as it matures and grows.

"Non-profit organizations have a special need to uphold the public trust if they are to continue doing the good work that they do so well," says Causton. "Along with larger, more formal organizations, non-profits need clear communications, transparent processes and people willing to be held accountable."

Certified general accountants play a vital role in Ontario's non-profit sector. They help ensure that these organizations, big or small are well run, and withstand public scrutiny. To order your free copy of Grassroots Governance, visit CGA Ontario's website at www.cga-ontario.org.