Latest news with #HeatherEvans
Globe and Mail
5 days ago
- Health
- Globe and Mail
Prescription drug costs are forcing Canadians to make dangerous trade-offs
Heather Evans, 60, used to eat boxed macaroni and cheese three times a week, but not because she loved it. She had to scrimp on her food budget to afford the thousands of dollars a month for the medication keeping her alive. Ms. Evans was diagnosed with a chronic heart condition in her 30s. 'I had my first two heart attacks when I was 39. I didn't sleep for almost 10 months because I was afraid I wouldn't wake up, and I didn't want my five-year-old son to find me gone.' At the time, Ms. Evans was an unemployed single mom in Calgary with no health insurance benefits. Most prescription medications aren't covered under Canada's universal health care plan, meaning patients without extended benefits have to foot the bill. Canada is the only country with universal health care that does not have universal coverage for prescription drugs (outside hospitals). The cost of survival nearly broke Ms. Evans. 'You go to sleep with tears in your eyes, worried about the next day. If it wasn't for my doctor giving me samples for so many years, I don't know that I'd be here today.' As millions of Canadians struggle to cope with the cost of their medications, many have taken drastic steps to alleviate the pressure, often leading to a worsening of their symptoms over time. A 2024 survey by Leger found that nearly one in four Canadians (22 per cent) say they've split pills, skipped doses, or chosen not to fill or renew a prescription because of the cost. The survey also revealed that 1 in 10 Canadians living with chronic conditions have landed in emergency after their health worsened because they couldn't afford the medications they needed. 'There are real downstream impacts. If you can't access drugs for prevention purposes you end up burdening the health care system, and that's much more expensive,' says Manuel Arango, director of Health Policy and Advocacy for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. 'It's way more cost effective to provide these drugs and tear down affordability barriers, so that people can be healthy, manage their conditions and stay out of the emergency rooms.' Canada has a patchwork of public drug benefit programs (with varying eligibilities), along with many private insurance plans. But insurance coverage, while helpful, isn't a guarantee of affordability. The 2019 Hoskins report about pharmacare implementation found that about 7.5 million Canadians still face high out-of-pocket costs. Gaps in coverage are made worse by shifting work patterns and employer plans that offload costs onto workers, putting part-time, contract, and low-income workers most at risk. Canada's proposed national pharmacare plan aims to provide coverage for essential prescription medications. The federal government says the program will roll out in phases, and has already started with coverage for contraceptives and diabetes drugs in British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba and Yukon. The plan's advisory panel recommended covering medications for cardiac conditions, but they remain uncovered. 'We appreciate these initial steps the government has taken, but we need to move more quickly,' says Mr. Arango. 'We need to get on the same playing field as all other countries that have universal health care systems and institute universal drug coverage.' A recent study from Arthritis Research Canada (ARC) showed that for nearly 1 in 20 people aged 12 or older, cost is a major barrier to taking their medications as prescribed. Some groups face higher risks for non-adherence with prescriptions, including women, members of racialized communities and people with diverse sexual orientations. Each skipped dose has ramifications for patients, says Dr. Mary De Vera, an ARC senior scientist. 'Drugs are health care. So why is it so disjointed?' she says. 'The ideal situation is that we have a system that mirrors our medical system.' Ms. Evans is now the general manager of a GoodLife gym in Calgary, and has health insurance that covers her medication. Others are not as fortunate. She says she wishes decision-makers would put themselves in the shoes of families forced to choose between paying for food or their prescriptions. 'I want them to think about their own loved ones being in the same situation and tell me they wouldn't move a mountain to make sure they'd be okay. People are dying because they can't afford life-saving medications,' Mr. Evans says. 'It's so unjust and we need to do better.'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Crouse Health, American Heart Association want to protect the health of new moms
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)–The American Heart Association (AHA) and Crouse Health are teaming up to encourage moms-to-be and new moms to learn their risk factors and manage their medical conditions before, during and after pregnancy. 'Cardiovascular risk factors track from mother to child, regardless of the course of pregnancy,' said Heather Evans, executive director of the American Heart Association, Central New York. 'A healthy pregnancy is best for both mom and baby, which is why we must work to raise awareness and empower women to manage their medical conditions before, during, and after pregnancy, and encourage them to form lasting, trusting relationships with their doctors.' Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of maternal death in the U.S. and leaves women during pregnancy with a higher lifetime risk for themselves and their children. To help prevent this, Crouse Health and the American Heart Association presented new mom kits to the Syracuse Community Health Center. The kits, which will be given to maternity patients at the health center, include healthy items for mom and baby. Courtesy of the American Heart Association. In addition, there is an Infant CPR Anytime® kit so new parents can learn how to perform lifesaving CPR in a cardiac emergency. The kit also contains a home blood pressure monitor for new moms, maternal health information in both English and Spanish, and extra items provided by Crouse Health. According to the AHA, an estimated two out of three pregnancy deaths are preventable. With awareness and education, lives can be saved. Moms-to-be and new moms can safeguard their health and the health of their children by understanding their risk and taking action to improve their health. AHA also says that many factors impact a woman's cardiovascular health during pregnancy, including age, race and ethnicity, hypertension, and weight. Black women and American Indian and Alaska Native women continue to be at significantly higher risk. In addition, pregnancy-related conditions such as pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes increase the odds of later cardiovascular disease. 'Crouse Health is proud to support our work with the American Heart Association and Syracuse Community Health Center in an important initiative to educate and raise awareness about cardiovascular disease among pregnant women and new mothers,' said Dr. Seth Kronenberg, president and CEO of Crouse Health and Syracuse Heart Walk volunteer chairman. 'This collaboration underscores our unwavering commitment to women's health and cardiac care, as we work together to address this critical community health issue.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Skilled Workforce: Port Erie Plastics
Preparing the next generation of skilled workers — That's the role of Erie High School's Career and Technical program. Two senior Erie High students are currently working co-op at a Harborcreek company. Port Erie Plastics offers high-quality plastic fabrication services. They manufacture a variety of products from storage units for the food industry, to temporary flooring, and water pipes for home and commercial buildings. With over 400 employees, Port Erie currently provides on-the-job training to Erie High career tech machining students. 'We have two students who come here every week to work with our experienced toolmakers and hopefully be the next generation coming in and taking over for that team,' according to Heather Evans, Human Resource manager. One of them is Daniel Miller, working at Port Erie during his senior year, continuing a family tradition. He said, 'My dad's a machinist. He's been all over the place in Erie. It always inspired me. He'd always come home and tell me stories.' Miller added, 'So, I got like, I wanted to do it so when I went to Erie High I figured I could do machining trade, so then I chose it, and it led me here.' Another Erie High student at Port Erie is a guy everyone calls Knobby. Nawid Ullahqudiri is Afghan and came to Erie a few years ago. He appreciates his Erie High machine training and the opportunity to operate machines at Port Erie. He likes the work and says it's interesting and fun! Jason Campbell graduated from Erie High five years ago and is progressing in his manufacturing career. He's currently an apprentice in the tool and die program. He said, ' I came from being an operator for CNC. Pays decent. But then once you get advanced you start like, tool and die making, I'm doing an apprentice right now, and they make a lot of money.' Working co-op is a win-win for students and the company. Evans says there's lots of opportunity in this industry. 'I hope young students realize there's a lot in Erie to do. And they just have to get out there.' She suggested students, go do the job shadows your school offers. Do a co-op. Talk to different professionals or your neighbors and learn what's out there. I think people miss there are great careers in Erie that you can have for your life. To learn more about the opportunities at Port Erie Plastics, go here. For ideas on other local manufacturing opportunities, look here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
National Wear Red Day raises awareness for heart health
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Across the country on Friday, people will be wearing red to join the fight against the leading cause of death in women. Friday is National Wear Red Day to spread awareness that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death of women in America. Security Mutual Life Insurance announced that to celebrate Heart Month throughout February, their building in downtown Binghamton will be shining with the color red. The American Heart Association says nearly 45% of women over age 20 are living with some form of cardiovascular disease. The executive director of the association, Heather Evans, is challenging people to 'know their numbers,' such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and body mass index. 'We hope that each time you see a heart or the color red this month, you think about what you can do for your heart. Make those small changes, get those steps in, change your diet, reach out to someone who's not feeling well and make sure they're taking those steps also,' said Evans. In April, the Heart Association will host its annual Heart Walk, and Security Mutual is encouraging participants to 'spice up your walk' by donating dried herbs and spices that will go to local food pantries. The Heart Association is also challenging every household this month, to make sure that at least one member of the house is CPR certified. You can donate and get involved online by visiting Ithaca man arrested on arson charge after months-long investigation NY HEAT Act reintroduced in the NYS Senate Jury deadlocked after four-day deliberation in Aissa trial National Wear Red Day raises awareness for heart health Broome County AOH hosting Irish historian Davy Holden Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
