Government Of Canada Announces New Food And Drugs Act Liaison Office

The Government of Canada today announced the official opening of the Food and Drugs Act Liaison Office (FDALO) to deal with issues concerning the Food and Drugs Act.

“The new Food and Drugs Act Liaison Office is part of a series of initiatives designed to modernize and strengthen Canada’s safety system for food, health and consumer products,” said Minister Clement, Minister of Health. “Like the Food and Consumer Safety Action Plan announced on December 17, 2007, the new office will also serve to fulfil our Government’s commitment to continuously improve its accountability mechanisms when it comes to matters pertaining to the Food and Drugs Act.”

The Food and Drugs Act Liaison Office will provide an independent and confidential resource for the public when they are experiencing problems with the regulatory process or with the application of policies or procedures under the Food and Drugs Act.

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Health plan is a boost for seniors

FITCHBURG — Seniors on Medicaid have a new option when it comes to health care, according to John Baakes, CEO of Senior Whole Health.

“We started to give seniors better home care and make going to a nursing home less likely,” Baakes said.

The company acts similarly to an HMO for seniors on MassHealth, but it is completely free, Baakes said.

The company now is making a push in the Fitchburg and Leominster area, Baakes said. Senior Whole Health has fewer than 5,000 seniors signed up throughout the state, with 300 in Worcester County, he said.

Baakes presented the Senior Whole Health plan Wednesday at the Fitchburg Senior Center to an audience of city leaders and health-care professionals.

State Sen. Robert Antonioni, D-Leominster, who introduced Baakes, said Senior Whole Health offers services local and state government programs cannot.

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Film looks at disparity in health

Good health isn’t just about eating right and getting your exercise. It’s deeply linked to income levels and other social conditions, concludes a PBS documentary previewed by a group of local health care, advocacy group and community leaders Wednesday.

The four-hour documentary, titled “Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?” offers a broad look at the nation’s striking socioeconomic and racial disparities in health.

Despite being the world’s most prosperous country, America lags far behind other countries in terms of various measures of overall health. That gap derives largely from failed social policy and the concentration of income and resources among the affluent, the film concludes.

More than 100 invitees watched as the Washtenaw County Public Health Department previewed part one of the documentary Wednesday in the Michigan Theater, followed by a discussion led by a five-person panel of health care authorities and several community leaders.

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Health Calendar: 03/13/2008

Health calendar is published weekly by the Traverse City Record-Eagle. Information to be included can be:
Mailed: Record-Eagle, P.O. Box 632, Traverse City, MI 49685;
Faxed: 946-8632 or
Delivered to: 120 W. Front St. Traverse City.

BLOOD DRIVES
MICHIGAN COMMUNITY BLOOD CENTER

Elk Rapids, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. March 18, Elk Rapids High School, 308 Meguzee Point Road.

Glen Arbor, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. March 20, The Leelanau School, 1 Old Homestead Road, bus.

Kalkaska, 2-6 p.m. March 13, Kalkaska Memorial Health center, 419 S. Coral; 3-7 p.m. March 18, Glen’s Market, 784 US-131, bus;

Manistee, 12:30-4:30 p.m. March 13 and March 20, West Shore Outreach Lab, 332 First St.; 1-5 p.m. March 14, K-mart, 1560 US-31 S., bus; 2:30-6:30 p.m.

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Boston health regulators considering trans fat ban

Boston could become the latest big city to ban restaurants from serving food that contains trans fat.

The city’s Public Health Commission is expected to vote on the ban Thursday following a public hearing. The panel gave the measure preliminary approval in January.

Many Boston restaurants say they have already stopped using trans fats, also known as partially-hydrogenated oils. The substance has been linked by doctors to clogged arteries and heart disease.

New York City and Philadelphia are among the cities that have banned restaurants from using trans fat in food preparation and cooking, and the Baltimore City Council approved a similar measure earlier this week.

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