Unity Health Toronto

A new study from the Ontario Drug Policy Research Network (ODPRN), a research group at St. Michael's Hospital, found that construction and trades workers accounted for approximately one-third of opioid toxicity deaths in Ontario where occupation was known between 2018 and 2024.

As senior author of the report, Tara Gomes, a scientist at MAP Centre for Urban Health Solution and Professor at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto notes, "Our findings show that opioid-related deaths are not affecting all workers equally," underscoring the need for programs and services that are tailored to the diverse needs of people at risk of opioid-related harm.

Click the link to read more: https://unityhealth.to/2026/07/opioid-toxicity-deaths-highest-among-construction-and-trades-workers-study-finds/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260723-opioid-construction

For decades, multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnoses rested on patient symptoms and neurological exams. As scientific tools have advanced, diagnosis increasingly relies on biological markers. With measurable signs of the disease detected through imaging and lab tests, MS can be detected earlier than ever before.

In 2024, the international guidelines for MS diagnosis, called the McDonald criteria, went through their most significant overhaul in a decade to reflect those shifts. Dr. Jiwon Oh, Director of the BARLO MS Centre at St. Michael's Hospital, was among the experts who helped to write them.

Now, in a commentary published in Nature Medicine, Dr. Oh has brought together nearly 30 of the world's leading MS clinicians to critically evaluate what those changes mean and where the field must go next.

We sat down with Dr. Oh to understand how MS diagnosis has advanced, the challenges that come with that progress, and the work still ahead.

Read the story: https://unityhealth.to/2026/07/st-michaels-researcher-charts-future-of-multiple-sclerosis-diagnosis/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260716-MS-diagnosis

As wildfire smoke once again affects air quality across Ontario, health experts are encouraging Canadians to pay attention to more than just the weather forecast.

While smoky skies can be an obvious warning sign, some of the most harmful pollutants are invisible. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can travel deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, affecting more than just respiratory health.

According to Dr. Samir Gupta, a respirologist and clinician scientist at St. Michael’s Hospital and the University of Toronto, poor air quality can increase the risk of flare-ups for people living with asthma, COPD, heart disease and other chronic conditions.

Before heading outside, check the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) and adjust your activities if needed. Knowing the air quality can help you make informed decisions and reduce your exposure to harmful pollutants.

Learn more: https://unityhealth.to/2026/07/hidden-health-threats-in-wildfire-smoke/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=2607016-hidden-threats-wildfire

The Feed with Dr. G

Summer BBQ season is in full swing at Unity Health! 🍔🌭☀️

Rain or shine, our Providence Healthcare teams know how to celebrate as our staff were recently treated to a well-deserved BBQ lunch along with live music! 🎸😎

Thanks to everyone who helped make this year's event such a success!

📸 Click the link to see more happy snaps!
https://unityhealth.to/2026-providence-staff-bbq-photo-gallery/