H1N1 and the “crisis in the clinics”: Apathy, risk, and the problem of communication

Yesterday I spent the better part of an hour with Joanne Laucius, a reporter at the Ottawa Citizen. Ms. Laucius phoned to interview me about the public health authorities’ messaging surrounding the H1N1 issue, particularly as it relates to vaccination and the “crisis in the clinics”. The conversation began with her providing a 3-5 minute [...]

Global Warming, Public Health and the Discourse of Responsibility

In 2008 Health Canada commissioned the polling company Environics Research Group to survey Canadians about their attitudes and understanding of global warming and its likely impact on public health. Titled Assessing Perceived Health Risks of Climate Change: Canadian Public Opinion – 2008, the report is available in the electronic collection of Library and Archives Canada.
Most [...]

Vaccines, Autism and the “Liberal Media Conspiracy”

In a media release dated November 11, the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest (CMPI) accused CBS Evening News, and singling out its lead anchor Katie Couric, for leading a witch hunt against vaccine makers and perpetuating a myth that there is a link between vaccines and autism. According to the CMPI, “CBS Evening News has [...]