A jury in the U.S. has found both Meta and YouTube liable in a first-of-its-kind lawsuit that aimed to hold social media platforms responsible for harm to children using their services.
The decision came after more than 40 hours of deliberation across nine days and more than a month since jurors heard opening statements in the trial.
The plaintiff is a 20-year-old woman who says her early use of social media addicted her to the technology and exacerbated her mental health struggles.
More to come
Business Matters: Zuckerberg takes stand in landmark social media addiction trial
]]>: Healthhttps://globalnews.ca/?p=11744235<![CDATA[Nearly half of Black women in Canada delay health care over fears of racism: Survey]]>Tue, 24 Mar 2026 23:57:22 +0000
Nearly half of Black women, girls and gender-diverse people in Canada have delayed or avoided seeking health care out of fear of racial discrimination, according to a new national survey that researchers say exposes widespread anti-Black racism within the health-care system.
They surveyed nearly 2,000 Black women, girls and gender diverse people across Canada, collecting both data and the personal stories of those experiencing anti-Black racism first hand.
“Anecdotally we knew that Black women were having a differential experience,” Kearie Daniel, executive director and Founder of The Black Women’s Institute for Health, said.
“The reality is that in our society, data … numbers are power.
Daniel said that while most women do experience dismissal in the health-care system, “forBlack women there are layers on top of that.”
“We know women in general feel dismissed,” she said. “But two-thirds of Black women feel dismissed.”
“One of the things we heard so frequently were the assumptions that are made about Black women,” she said. “Like when you are in pain there’s this idea that you can tolerate more pain.”
Addressing gaps in Black health care
The report documents six critical areas of healthcare disparities:
Medical conditions that disproportionately affect Black women, girls, and gender non-conforming people
Black maternal health and medical neglect
Severe and unique mental health challenges
Exposure to racial violence, abuse, and increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder
Burnout and emotional fatigue through toxic work environments
Racial discrimination and Black girls’ and youth’s early experiences with racism and identity
“We’ll compare ourselves to the U.S. and say, ‘We’re not as bad as them,'” Daniels said. “That’s not true.
Many of the concerns reported in the survey included women being told they were drug-seeking when they were in pain, or instances where child services had been called because of assumptions made about the parenting abilities of Black women.
Some of the more detailed stories involved women miscarrying in hospital waiting rooms, while others spoke about having a caesarean section where doctors forgot to provide freezing for the mother.
“Some of the stories are so horrific,” Daniels said. “When we gave them to our researcher team, we had to give it to them with supports.”
AG audit highlights long-standing barriers for women, Black people, Indigenous people, veterans and more
Researchers were given access to mental health supports as they combed through both the numbers, and the stories attached.
The survey also showed that mental health was the top chronic illness diagnosed among survey participants at 15.8 per cent.
Statistics Canada reports that four per cent of women, nationally, experience suicidal thoughts, while 27.4 per cent of Black women have contemplated self-harm — more than six times the national average.
Aaya Musuya was one of the women who took part in the survey.
“I recognize we always start at the back of the line with some many things,” she said. “I’ve lived it myself.”
Musuya has faced significant challenges in accessing care at local clinics and ERs, even during an emergency where she was forced to wait for 22 hours to see a doctor.
“I understand the cultural disparities sometimes that come with this very important area of our lives,” she added. “There’s a disconnect in accessing and fully utilizing the services.”
She moved from Uganda to Red Deer six years ago and said while she expected change, she didn’t expect the difficulties that came with navigating the Canadian health-care system.
“We’re integrating, settling in, figuring things out,” she said. “When it comes to the health-care system, it’s not just visiting a doctor, it’s working through a system.”
Three generations of Muslim women reflect on hate in Canada
Musuya said that she has avoided going to the doctor’s office, and when she does seek help, she goes in overprepared for the appointment.
“I was worried whether they would understand, “she said. “I was worried about if they would just give me a bunch of drugs to cover up my symptoms.
“I feel like I walk in already plugging gaps versus just walking in and saying, ‘This is what’s wrong with me.’ When I had a doctor who looked like me, I felt a little more comfortable explaining because I felt they would understand where I was coming from and what issues might likely be causing what I was facing.”
The Voices Unheard survey was a chance to share her stories, while also helping to pave the way for a better future for her two daughters.
She said she’s teaching them now how to better advocate for their own health.
“It just feels like going to the doctor is so complicated.” she said. “It never seems easy.”
“Now that we have the data, the next step is action,” Daniels said.
The report makes 70 recommendations for various levels of government. It includes calls for anti-Black racism to be declared a public health emergency, and for a national Black health equity strategy.
Those behind the survey say addressing the barriers faced by Black women would not only save lives but strengthen Canada’s health-care system as a whole.
“What we know is that if we are looking at the experiences of those most impacted by oppression, if we’re fixing the system for them — we’re fixing the system for everybody,” Daniels said.
]]>: Healthhttps://globalnews.ca/?p=11739505<![CDATA[Could GLP-1 drugs help your mental health? New study finds a link]]>Fri, 20 Mar 2026 19:07:24 +0000
It’s not just weight loss and diabetes: GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy may also help patients suffering from anxiety and depression, a new study has found.
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus, was associated with a lower risk of worsening mental health, the study published in Lancet Psychiatry found.
“We found that semaglutide and, to a lesser extent, liraglutide were associated with significantly lower risk of worsening mental illness… in people using antidiabetic medications, compared with time periods when GLP-1 receptor agonists were not used,” the study said.
The study defined mental illness as a combination of hospitalization due to mental disorder or self-harm, sick leave for psychiatric reasons, or suicide.
“This was a large study of the Swedish database, which is a very large, well-known database which has data on all Swedes from birth until death. They know who has diabetes and who doesn’t have diabetes and the drugs that they take,” said Dr. Hertzel Gerstein, professor at McMaster University and at Hamilton Health Sciences.
Researchers looked at the health records of 95,490 people in Sweden, 81 per cent of whom had anxiety, 55 per cent had depression and 36 per cent had both conditions. The study compared their risk of mental health conditions in periods when they were taking GLP-1 drugs and in periods when they weren’t.
Semaglutide was linked to a 42 per cent lower risk of worsening mental health overall, 38 per cent lower risk of worsening anxiety disorder and 44 per cent lower risk of worsening depression, the study found.
The drug could also prove to be effective for those struggling with addiction and substance use, with the study finding a 47 per cent lower risk of worsening substance use disorder associated with semaglutide.
Liraglutide, marketed in Canada under the brand names Victoza for diabetes and Saxenda when prescribed for obesity, was linked to an 18 per cent lower risk of mental illness.
Health Matters: Estimated 3M Canadian currently taking GLP-1 drugs, Leger survey finds
However, the study warns that it has several limitations.
For one, it can only be generalized to health-care systems that are similar to Sweden.
“The cost of GLP-1 receptor agonists can be an obstacle to access in private health-care systems for people who would most benefit from these medications until cheaper generic GLP-1 receptor agonist medications become available,” it said.
It adds that the “main limitation of this work is that causality cannot be attributed in an observational study.”
The study is only “observational,” Dr. Gerstein said, but it opens the door to more conclusive studies involving randomized trials.
“Just because two things related to one another doesn’t mean that one causes the other. There’s a phrase … correlation is not the same as causation,” he said.
“You need to do what’s called a randomized trial, where you give half of people a drug like semaglutide and half of the people not, then you follow them to see if there are lower rates of depression. And in fact, even this paper suggests that that would be the next step,” Dr. Gerstein added.
There have now been many studies and analyses that suggest that the use of GLP-1 drugs goes beyond just weight loss and diabetes, with potential benefits ranging from helping mental illness and substance abuse to kidney disease, heart disease and even osteoarthritis, he added.
While multiple studies have said there is data suggesting benefits from semaglutide, others have also found risks.
A 2023 study out of the University of British Columbia found that GLP-1 drugs were associated with an increased risk of stomach paralysis, pancreatitis and bowel obstruction.
In 2024, a Harvard study found that the drugs were also linked to an increased risk of sudden and irreversible vision loss and blindness.
Last year, the European Medicines Agency’s safety committee concluded that the use of Wegovy may cause rare occurrences of a potentially dangerous eye condition.
Called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), the condition may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people taking semaglutide, the regulator said.
Some of the more common side effects associated with semaglutide include belching, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, indigestion and nausea, among others.
In rare cases, it has also been associated with confusion, dizziness, tiredness and fainting among others.
]]>: Healthhttps://globalnews.ca/?p=11736913<![CDATA[Alberta moves to drastically reduce access to medically assisted dying]]>Wed, 18 Mar 2026 21:45:41 +0000
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s government took steps Wednesday to drastically restrict who’s eligible for medical assistance in dying.
Smith’s United Conservative Party government introduced a bill that, if passed, would limit medical assistance in dying, better known as MAID, to those likely to die of natural causes within a year.
Those under 18 would still be prohibited regardless of condition, in line with current federal rules.
Smith said the federal rules are missing the mark.
“I think that we’re failing in our duty to give people hope,” Smith told reporters before the bill was introduced in the house.
Alberta proposes new limits on Medical Assistance in Dying under Bill 18
The major limitation in Alberta’s bill resembles how Canada’s MAID program began in 2016.
Restricting access to MAID unless it was reasonably foreseeable that someone would die was ruled unconstitutional by a superior court judge in Quebec.
Ottawa then expanded eligibility in 2021.
The changes permit those suffering from a serious illness or disability that isn’t considered terminal and who are in an advanced state of unreversible decline to use MAID.
Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery said the Quebec decision isn’t binding on Alberta and his government would defend the bill in court if it’s challenged.
“We think that this bill finds the appropriate balance between allowing people who are eligible for the original intention of MAID to be able to seek that, but also to find a balance in protecting our vulnerable,” Amery told reporters.
The bill repeats many of the same safeguards in place under federal law, including the prohibition on children receiving MAID as well as those deemed unable to make their own health-care decisions.
Alberta would also restrict mental illness as a sole condition.
Ottawa had planned in 2024 to allow it — depending on certain criteria and other safeguards. But the final decision was delayed until next year as debate continues.
Smith said Alberta is acting now to prevent that possible change from taking effect in her province, saying she has “profound misgivings” about it.
Other care and treatment options are often available for those who aren’t facing a reasonably foreseeable death, she said.
“MAID should not become a permanent response to a moment of crisis or despair that can change with care and time,” Smith said.
Alberta Health Services says 1,242 people died through MAID in the province last year, though the statistics don’t break them down by eligibility factors.
The government says deaths in Alberta under Ottawa’s expanded eligibility rules increased by 136 per cent between 2021 and 2025.
Majority of Canadians support MAID for mental illness patients, research says
More than outlawing MAID for certain circumstances, Alberta’s bill would also prohibit medical professionals from referring patients to providers in other provinces.
And it would create new professional sanctions for doctors and nurse practitioners that break provincial rules.
Government officials said sanctions would range from mandatory training to losing a licence.
The bill would also require all medical professionals who provide MAID services to undergo new training.
It aims to prevent medical professionals from discussing MAID with patients unless they bring it up first.
It also restricts hospitals, doctors’ offices and continuing care homes from displaying information about MAID, such as on posters.
As with Ottawa’s rules, Alberta’s bill would prohibit requests made by patients in advance.
Robert Munsch sparks conversation about MAiD
That includes people recently diagnosed with diseases such as dementia or Alzheimer’s who may want to provide their consent for MAID before they lose capacity to make the decision.
Quebec currently permits such requests.
Alberta’s bill also repeats that medical providers have the right to refuse patient evaluations in the MAID process and to refuse performing the procedure for religious or conscientious reasons.
A spokesperson for federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser said in a statement that Alberta has jurisdiction when it comes to providing health care.
“As for the federal government, Parliament is currently studying the question of eligibility expansion through (a special joint committee),” said Lola Dandybaeva.
Alberta UCP considers own legislation on MAID
— With files from Sarah Ritchie, The Canadian Press
The number of confirmed cases of invasive meningitis in Canterbury has risen to 20, with the majority of infections among students at the University of Kent, where a targeted vaccination and antibiotic program has commenced.
A 21-year-old university student and a girl identified as Juliette, a student at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham, have died in the outbreak.
Five schools in the county have confirmed cases of the disease, the BBC reported.
Vaccination program coming for UK’s University of Kent students after meningitis outbreak kills 2
According to the U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in Kent, as of 5 p.m. on March 17, nine laboratory-confirmed cases had been reported and 11 remained under investigation.
Six of the confirmed cases are group B meningococcal disease.
The agency described the event as “rapidly evolving” and warned of the potential for further cases.
Antibiotics are the most effective treatment for limiting the spread of the disease. So far, more than 2,500 doses have been given to students, close contacts and others, the agency added. About 5,000 students living in university accommodation will be offered a vaccine, which should help prevent further spread of the disease.
Staff and students, some wearing face masks, wait to receive antibiotics at the University of Kent in Canterbury in the U.K., after an outbreak of meningitis caused the deaths of two people, March 16, 2026.
Carl Court/Getty Images
Susan Hopkins, chief executive of UKHSA, said the spread was “explosive” and “unprecedented” in nature. Deputy chief medical officer Dr. Thomas Waite said it was the fastest-growing outbreak he had seen in his career, describing it as an event “of national significance.”
Hopkins said the outbreak likely stemmed from a superspreader event at a university gathering, possibly in halls of residence or at a party, though she did not confirm where the infection originated.
“I can’t yet say where the initial infection came from, how it’s got into this cohort, and why it’s created such an explosive amount of infections. I can say that in my 35 years working in medicine, in health care and hospitals, this is the most cases I’ve seen in a single weekend with this type of infection,” she said to multiple British outlets.
A Canterbury nightclub called Chemistry has also been identified as a potential location for a spreading event, according to the UKHSA.
Family doctors across the U.K. have been advised to prescribe antibiotics to anyone who visited the club between March 5 and March 7 and to University of Kent students, it said.
The health agency declared a national incident on Sunday to help ensure the delivery of medical supplies, which is not a sign that the outbreak is spreading beyond Kent, but rather a tool to harness resources.
Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, Olivier Picard, told BBC Radio 4’s Today that there was no vaccine stock available for private purchase and pharmacies, which are often used to bridge the gap between NHS offerings and what people want, had run out. “There’s no date of resupply,” he said.
Meningitis is an infection of the protective membrane of the brain and spinal cord and can be serious if not treated quickly.
Early symptoms, which may not always be present, include:
sudden onset of high fever
a rash that does not fade when pressed against a glass
severe and worsening headache
stiff neck
vomiting and diarrhea
joint and muscle pain
dislike of bright lights
very cold hands and feet
seizures
confusion/delirium
extreme sleepiness/difficulty waking
Students are particularly at risk of missing the early warning signs of meningitis because they can be easily mistaken for other illnesses, such as a bad cold, the flu or even a hangover. They are also susceptible to contracting meningitis because they mix with so many other students, some of whom are unknowingly carrying the bacteria in the back of their nose and throat, the UKHSA warned.
While rare, meningitis can be serious and may lead to septicemia (blood poisoning), which can rapidly lead to sepsis. The onset of illness is often sudden, and early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment are vital to prevent it from becoming severe.
Meningitis vaccinations in Canada are publicly funded and highly recommended for adults and children.
Mandatory immunization for school attendance exists in some provinces, including Ontario, and high-risk individuals can access additional vaccines, according to the City of Toronto website.
The provincial government offers the vaccine free of charge to children and students at specific ages to protect against several strains of meningitis.
]]>: Healthhttps://globalnews.ca/?p=11734806<![CDATA[An exercise program proves life-changing for this Nova Scotia cancer patient]]>Tue, 17 Mar 2026 20:17:45 +0000: Healthhttps://globalnews.ca/?p=11734772<![CDATA[Functional health drops for Canadians, especially those under 35: StatCan]]>Tue, 17 Mar 2026 18:31:09 +0000: Healthhttps://globalnews.ca/?p=11733600<![CDATA[Court blocks U.S. child vaccine changes, says RFK Jr. may have violated law]]>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 21:39:25 +0000: Healthhttps://globalnews.ca/?p=11733094<![CDATA[2 people dead after meningitis outbreak at U.K. university]]>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 19:15:39 +0000: Healthhttps://globalnews.ca/news/11732679/oilers-optimistic-draisaitl-will-be-back-soon/<![CDATA[Oilers optimistic injured Leon Draisaitl will return soon for playoff pursuit]]>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:02:16 +0000: Health
