Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / Wegovy's Impact on Heart Disease, Thanksgiving Safety, and Canada's 988 Crisis Helpline

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Wegovy's Impact on Heart Disease, Thanksgiving Safety, and Canada's 988 Crisis Helpline · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

• 0:00
  Good morning and welcome to another episode of Morning Medical with Dr.
• 0:04
  Chow.
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  I am your host, Dr.
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  Chi-Ming Chow, bringing you the latest updates in the world of medicine and health.
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  Today, we have some exciting news from Canada that could have significant implications for
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  those managing weight and heart health.
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  Health Canada has approved a new use for Novo Nordisk's weight loss drug, Wegovy, which is
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  set to reduce the risk of non-fatal heart attacks or myocardial infarctions in certain
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  adults.
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  Wegovy is groundbreaking as it's the first treatment in Canada approved for both chronic
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  weight management and reducing the risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction.
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  This dual benefit is particularly important for adults with established cardiovascular disease
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  who also have a body mass index of 27 kilograms per meter squared or higher.
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  Heart disease is a major health concern in Canada, ranking as the second leading cause of
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  death after cancer and a primary reason for hospitalization.
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  Dr.
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  Jacob Udell, a cardiologist at Women's College Hospital in Toronto, emphasized the
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  significance of this approval, noting that it could lead to more individuals receiving this
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  medication as part of their heart disease management, especially when obesity is also a
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  factor.
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  The next challenge, as Dr.
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  Udell points out, is ensuring that both public and private insurers cover the cost of this
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  medication.
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  This will require a societal effort to address how these costs are managed.
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  As with any medication, it is crucial that Wegovy is prescribed and monitored by a trained
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  healthcare professional due to its potential side effects, which need to be carefully
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  managed and adjusted appropriately.
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  Interestingly, the European Union's health regulator has also endorsed Wegovy for reducing
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  the risk of major cardiovascular events and strokes in overweight or obese adults without
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  diabetes.
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  The drug is already approved in the United Kingdom and the United States for lowering the
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  risk of significant heart problems or strokes in such populations.
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  In Canada, Wegovy has been approved for treating obesity since 2021, but this new
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  approval adds an important dimension to its use.
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  Today, with Thanksgiving just around the corner, we're turning our attention to food
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  safety tips to ensure that your holiday gatherings are not only joyful but also safe.
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  Dr.
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  Leana Wen, a well-known wellness expert, shared some crucial insights with CNN to help us
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  navigate the holiday meal preparations.
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  Foodborne illnesses are on the rise, and Dr.
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  Wen emphasizes that these are largely preventable with the right precautions.
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  Foodborne infections are caused by a variety of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and
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  parasites.
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  The most common foodborne infection in the United States is caused by norovirus, a highly
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  contagious virus that can spread through sharing utensils or touching surfaces that an
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  infected person has touched.
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  Symptoms of foodborne illness typically include abdominal cramping, nausea, diarrhea, and
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  vomiting.
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  While many recover within 24 hours, some individuals, particularly young children,
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  pregnant women, older adults, and those with compromised immune systems, can become severely
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  ill.
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  It's important to be vigilant about the food we prepare and consume, especially during large
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  gatherings like Thanksgiving.
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  Dr.
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  Wen also discussed the importance of being aware of food recalls.
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  While high-profile cases often make the news, most foodborne illnesses occur in everyday
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  settings.
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  It's wise to keep track of recent recalls and ensure that none of the affected products are
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  in your pantry or refrigerator.
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  However, she advises not to obsess over recalls, as most food is safe when handled
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  properly.
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  One critical aspect of food preparation is thawing your turkey safely.
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  Dr.
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  Wen explains three safe methods: thawing in the refrigerator, which takes the longest;
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  submerging the turkey in cold water, remembering to change the water every 30
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  minutes; and using a microwave.
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  It's crucial to cook the turkey immediately after thawing to prevent bacterial growth.
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  Never thaw a turkey by leaving it out on the counter, as this can lead to parts of the
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  turkey reaching temperatures that allow bacteria to multiply rapidly.
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  Now, how long can a Thanksgiving buffet safely sit out?
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  Dr.
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  Wen reminds us of the 'two-hour rule.' Once food is cooked, it should not be left at room
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  temperature for more than two hours.
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  If you're outdoors and it's warmer than 90 degrees Fahrenheit, that window shrinks to just
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  one hour.
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  This rule applies to all perishable foods, including meat, fish, and dairy products.
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  Foods that do not need refrigeration under this rule include baked goods, dried meats, whole
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  fruits, and nuts.
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  If you're using a burner or slow cooker to keep food warm, ensure the temperature stays above
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  140 degrees Fahrenheit.
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  If the food is kept cool, it should be below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
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  These conditions prevent bacteria from multiplying rapidly.
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  Remember, within two hours of removing food from its warming or cooling apparatus, it must
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  be refrigerated.
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  Dr.
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  Wen also highlights the importance of proper cooking and reheating.
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  Different meats and fish require different internal temperatures to ensure safety – fish
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  should reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit, while chicken, turkey, and other poultry should hit
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  165 degrees Fahrenheit.
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  Cross-contamination is another concern; always use separate containers and utensils for raw
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  and cooked foods.
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  Handwashing cannot be overstated.
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  Norovirus, being the most common cause of foodborne illness, highlights the need for
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  thorough and frequent handwashing with soap and water.
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  Those who are ill or showing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea should not
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  prepare food.
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  Hosts should also encourage guests who feel unwell to stay home, especially if they exhibit
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  signs of respiratory infections.
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  By following these food safety tips, you can help ensure that your Thanksgiving celebration
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  remains a happy and healthy event for everyone involved.
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  Let's make sure that our gatherings bring joy without any unwelcome surprises.
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  Today, we're highlighting a significant milestone in mental health support across
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  Canada.
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  The national 988 suicide crisis helpline has marked its first year of operation, and in that
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  time, it has received over 300,000 calls and texts.
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  This remarkable number underscores the critical need for accessible mental health services in
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  our communities.
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  The helpline, spearheaded by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, provides a crucial
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  service for those experiencing suicidal thoughts or other mental health crises.
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  Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, it's a lifeline for individuals in distress,
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  offering immediate support no matter where they are in Canada.
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  Dr.
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  Allison Crawford, the chief medical officer for the helpline, noted that as awareness of the
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  service grows, they expect the volume of calls and texts to increase.
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  She emphasized the importance of quick response times to ensure that those in need of help do
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  not lose hope while waiting.
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  In October, the average wait time was 44 seconds for phone calls and one minute and 47
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  seconds for texts, and efforts are ongoing to improve these times.
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  The helpline's structure ensures that calls and texts are routed to the nearest available
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  responder, allowing them to direct callers to additional local resources if necessary.
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  This setup is supported by more than 2,000 responders from 39 community agencies across
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  the country, making it a truly nationwide initiative.
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  Slinder Bhatti, executive director of Chimo Community Services in Richmond, British
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  Columbia, highlighted that the need for mental health support often spikes during certain
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  times of the year, such as the upcoming holiday season.
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  She reassured that the helpline is there for anyone struggling, regardless of how many times
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  they reach out.
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  "We will not turn anybody away," she affirmed.
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  The launch of the 988 helpline on November 30, 2023, was made possible through a $177 million
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  investment from the Public Health Agency of Canada for the first three years of the
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  program.
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  This funding underscores the commitment to addressing mental health crises with the
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  urgency and resources they require.
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  If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, remember that help is
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  available through the 988 helpline.
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  In emergencies, calling 911 remains the best course of action.
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  For more information on local support services, you can visit suicideprevention.ca.
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  As we wrap up today's episode, remember that mental health is just as important as physical
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  health.
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  The strides made with the 988 helpline are a testament to the power of community and the
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  importance of supporting one another.
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  Thank you for joining me today on Morning Medical with Dr.
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  Chow.
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  Stay informed and take care of your health.
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  Until next time, I am Dr.
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  Chi-Ming Chow, wishing you a safe and healthy day.